Atmospheric river system in Kern County: Advisories and road closures
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A storm system is expected to enter Kern County on Saturday night.
An upcoming atmospheric river system is expected to bring a substantial amount of precipitation and strong winds.
Per 17 News Meteorologist Candy Caceres, snow levels will start at around 5,000 feet, but they will rapidly escalate to 6,500 to 7,000 feet by Sunday afternoon. However, they will then drop back down to 5,000 to 6,000 feet on Monday.
Kern County Public Works to offer sand for potential flooding from latest atmospheric river
According to the National Weather Service, a Flood Watch was put into effect on Feb. 3 for Bakersfield, Buttonwillow, Lost Hills, Wasco, Shafter, Delano, the Kern River Valley, Mojave Desert, Frazier Mountain Communities, Grapevine and Tehachapi. The watch will remain in effect until Feb. 4 at 10 p.m. for areas near Bakersfield, and on Feb. 6 at 4 a.m. for the Kern River Valley, Mojave Desert and mountain communities.
A Flood Advisory was issued by NWS for all of Kern County on Feb. 4 at 10:05 a.m.
A Wind Advisory has also been put into effect until Feb. 4 at 10 p.m. for Bakersfield, Buttonwillow, Lost Hills, Delano, Wasco, and Shafter, NWS said.
A High Wind Watch has been placed into effect for Bakersfield, Frazier Mountain communities, Grapevine, Tehachapi and the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley until Feb. 4 at 10 p.m.
A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for the Sierra region until Feb. 6 at 4 a.m. During this time, snow accumulations could range from one to four feet between 5,000 and 7,000 feet, with the possibility of up to 6,000 feet to above 7,000 feet.
Pinpoint Forecast: Feb. 2, 2024
Caltrans does not recommend travel for campers, trailer or permit loads from three miles north of the junction of Interstate 5 and Highway 126 at Parker Road in Los Angeles County to the Kern County line due to a high wind advisory. Travel for these groups is also not recommended from the Kern and Kings County line to the Fresno and Merced County line.
Chains or snow tires are required on Highway 155 from 12.9 miles east of Glennville to 5.5 miles west of Wofford Heights to Greenhorn Summit, per Caltrans.
The following roads are currently closed, per the California Highway Patrol, Caltrans and Kern County:
All lanes of Highway 99 between Copus Road and Sandrini Road due to downed power lines
Highway 119 at Wible Road due to downed power pole
Sierra Avenue at Highway 178
Parker Pass between M-99 and M-107
Klipstein Canyon Road at Highway 166
Cerro Noroeste Road at Highway 166
Old River Road from Copus Road to Herring Road due to collapsed culvert
Cuddy Valley Road at the first snow gate south
San Diego Street from Wharton Avenue to Di Giorgio Road
Jenkins Road from Spring Mountain Avenue to Meacham Road
Riverside Street from Shafter Avenue to Highway 43 and Beech Avenue
Vine Drive from S. P Street West to the end of the road
Garlock Road at Redrock Randsburg Road due to flooding
Clarisse Street from Peggy Street to Jared Street due to downed tree
Redrock Randsburg Road from Highway 14 to Highway 395 due to flooding
Check back for updates regarding advisories and road closures amid the storm.
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