Major storm brings hazardous weather conditions for Stockton, San Joaquin County area

Staff and Wire reports
·3 min read

Gusty winds were expected Monday throughout the day “as a strong winter storm moves through" Northern California with rain and snow.

Hazardous weather conditions for the Stockton area are in effect from 4 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, the National Weather Service reported.

“This is a pretty widespread event,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Anna Wanless, based in Sacramento. “Most of California, if not all, will see some sort of rain and snow.”

In December, the Stockton area typically averages about 2.41 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service data. View the National Weather Service's precipitation map here.

Stockton-area residents may experience power outages, trees and tree branches falling, and driving difficulty for high profile vehicles due to the expected strong winds.

A stalled car is rescued after stalling in flooded Stockton streets during a severe storm.
A stalled car is rescued after stalling in flooded Stockton streets during a severe storm.

In San Joaquin County, about 8,000 customers were without power Monday afternoon, according to Pacific Gas and Electric Co.'s outage map. More than 5,800 of the customers affected were in Stockton.

Although storms are typical around this time of the year, this storm is significant as it the “first big snow,” bringing limited visibility, strong winds, ice and snow to roads, making it difficult for travelers, Wanless told The Associated Press.

Delay travel, stay inside, authorities warn: Major storm brings rain, snow

National Weather Service Sacramento shared via Twitter at 1:53 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13 : "The band of heaviest rain & snow will make its way across #NorCal just in time to make the afternoon commute extra difficult. Give yourself extra time to reach your destination. Mountain travel is HIGHLY discouraged through tomorrow morning. Drive Safe!"

National Weather Service safety recommendations for drivers:

  • Use lights and wipers

  • Allow extra space between vehicles, especially high-profile ones

  • Plan for delays

  • Check road conditions/ chain controls on quickmap.dot.ca.gov

Maximum wind gusts for Stockton were reported to be about 47 mph as of 10:20 a.m.

Officials urged people to delay travel and stay indoors. The rain could cause minor flooding and rockslides, especially in areas that have been scarred by wildfires, forecasters said.

Rain fell intermittently across California on Sunday. Andy Naja-Riese, chief executive of the Agricultural Institute of Marin, said farmers markets carried on as usual in San Rafael and San Francisco amid light wind.

The markets are especially busy this time of year with farmers making jellies, jams and sauces for the holidays, he said. And, he said, rain always is needed in a parched state.

“In many ways, it really is a blessing,” Naja-Riese said.

A second storm predicted to hit California midweek could deliver almost continuous snow, said Edan Weishahn of the weather service in Reno, which monitors an area straddling the Nevada state line. Donner Summit, one of the highest points on Interstate 80 and a major commerce commuter route, could have major travel disruptions or road closures, Weishahn said.

Tahoe ski resorts report heavy snow: Avalanche center warns of danger

The weather follows a November that was unseasonably warm for California.

Vail Resorts’ three Tahoe-area ski resorts opened with limited offerings over the weekend after crews produced artificial snow. Spokeswoman Sara Roston said the resorts are looking forward to more of the real thing.

Angel Velasco, left, and Ryan Hanson don't let a few sprinkles stop them from playing a little one-on-one on the rain-slickened basketball courts at Faklis Park in Stockton.
Angel Velasco, left, and Ryan Hanson don't let a few sprinkles stop them from playing a little one-on-one on the rain-slickened basketball courts at Faklis Park in Stockton.

The Sierra Avalanche Center warned heavy snow and strong winds on top of a weak snowpack could cause large and destructive avalanches.

One man died Saturday in a backcountry area of the Crystal Mountain ski resort in Washington state when he was caught in an avalanche that temporarily buried five others.

Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Rocha can be reached at arocha@recordnet.com or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Major storm brings hazardous weather conditions for Stockton area