'Pineapple Express' storm could result in rain, snow, flooding in High Desert, mountains

Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press
·2 min read
A “Pineapple Express” storm coming in off the Pacific could bring rain to the Victor Valley and to local snow packed mountains, which could result in flooding.
A “Pineapple Express” storm coming in off the Pacific could bring rain to the Victor Valley and to local snow packed mountains, which could result in flooding.

While San Bernardino County and other agencies continue snow-clearing efforts on mountain roads, a “Pineapple Express” storm is making its way toward California.

As much as 2 inches of rain could fall in less than two days.

The bulk of the storm brought in via a warm atmospheric river is expected to strike Northern California late Thursday into Friday, bringing heavy rain to the Bay Area and more snow at higher elevations in the Sierra.

Meanwhile, the southern portion of the storm is expected to arrive locally on Friday, bringing rain and gusty winds to the Victor Valley and snow above the 9,000-foot level, the National Weather Service reported.

The heaviest rain and snow are expected Friday evening and into early Saturday and are accompanied by peak wind gusts from 45 to 50 mph.

As the rain tapers off, snow levels could drop closer to the 8,000-foot level, impacting areas like Snow Summit in Big Bear in the San Bernardino Mountains and Mt. High Ski resort in the San Gabriel Mountains.

Rainfall on existing high mountain snowpacks could lead to other impacts, such as flooding and structural damage.

Heavy storms with subtropical moisture, which come to the West Coast from Hawaii, are often referred to as a "Pineapple Express."

Average temps over the weekend should be in the high 50s to high 60s. Sunday could slip into the 70s in places like Victorville and Barstow.

More rain and possible snow are expected next week.

Caltrans crews have worked around the clock to clear snow from roadways in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Caltrans crews have worked around the clock to clear snow from roadways in the San Bernardino Mountains.

Mountain update

SBC road-clearing efforts passed the 90% mark system-wide on Tuesday, with many mountain communities now 100% serviced.

On Tuesday, crews removed snow from 467 miles of county-maintained roads.

Residents can track progress on the San Bernardino County Public Works interactive snow-removal map at snowinfo.sbcounty.gov.

The San Bernardino County map also shows the location of food distribution sites, American Red Cross shelters, trash collection sites, and photos of recently serviced roads.

The snow-removal maps are one of many resources available on the county's snow information website. The site includes Caltrans and San Bernardino County road information, press conference videos, portals for reporting storm damage and road problems, and more.

Caltrans crews have worked around the clock to clear roadways after a recent snow storm in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Caltrans crews have worked around the clock to clear roadways after a recent snow storm in the San Bernardino Mountains.

State of emergency

County officials on Feb. 27 declared a local emergency after mountain residents in the San Bernardino Mountains found themselves trapped at home or unable to reach their homes due to several feet of snow that fell over nearly a week.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, on March 1, proclaimed a state of emergency to support and fund disaster response and relief in SBC and a dozen other counties.

Newsom also activated the State Operations Center to bring higher-level support to county-led emergency response efforts and coordinate mutual aid from neighboring jurisdictions, especially in SBC.

County officials remind the public that the National Forest Service has issued an emergency closure order. Access is restricted to residents and emergency crews only.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: 'Pineapple Express' storm expected to arrive this week with rain, snow