More Rain Monday Means More Headaches On Bay Area Roadways
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Rain and scattered showers fell Monday and remained in the forecast for most of the day, ahead of another round of Bay Area storms.
So far, rain totals were in the highest in Sonoma and Santa Cruz counties where more than 11 inches has fallen in the past 72 hours. Elsewhere averages are around a quarter of an inch over the last 24 hours.
Commuters should leave early and expect delays.
KPIX 5 WeatherCenter | KCBS Traffic Conditions
The stormy weather has whipped up gusty winds. The CHP issued a wind advisory for the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge at 5:17 a.m. Monday morning. Drivers were told to slow down and proceed with caution after the toll plaza.
A severe traffic alert was lifted for Highway 92 between Highway 35/Skyline Boulevard and I-280 in San Mateo County shortly after 6 a.m. A massive tree was blocking all lanes of traffic in both directions at one point.
In Sonoma County, rain flooded part of Highway 121. The water pooled west of Petaluma near the town of Valley Ford.
A tree went crashing onto Saint Helena Road in the North Bay. The roots left a huge hole in the street.
Mudslides in the Santa Cruz mountains prompted a sig-alert along Highway 17 southbound in Redwood Estates. Crews removed mud, boulders and fallen trees that had shut down at least one lane on the right side. Caltrans crews were standing by at the summit with scraper trucks in the event of more mudslides.
Meantime, drivers heading to the Sierra should expect delays. This storm dumped nearly 3 feet of snow overnight. Interstate 809 was closed to westbound trucks at the Nevada State Line due to blizzard conditions. Chains or snow tires were required in both directions between Colfax and Truckee. Along Highway 50, chains were required from 3 miles east of Kyburz to the town of Myers.
Forecasters say the storm was heading to Southern California bringing thunder and lighting. Another round of heavy rain is expected to hit California later this week.
