SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – While the latest atmospheric river isn't expected to melt the already dense snowpack in the Sierra, it will bring with it plenty of hazardous conditions.
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Instead of the snow melting, officials warn the storm will do the opposite. The rain will be warmer when it falls, but once it's on the ground, some will absorb back into the snow and refreeze. According to Daniel Swain, climate scientist at UCLA, this will cause heavier, denser snowpack, putting the strain on roofs already at risk of caving in.
The National Weather Service has warned residents to clear snow from their roofs if they can. "If a roof with a ton of snow on it collapses and somebody's inside it's not a good situation. That's going to be a real, fairly widespread problem because it's already happening and this additional rain on snow will likely make that problem worse," Swain said.
The Tahoe Truckee Unified School District has canceled classes due to concerns about roof stability.
Foothill regions that sit at around 2,000-3,000 feet could see increased runoff from snowmelt and heavy rain. "This current event doesn't look like a disaster," the climate expert said. "There will be flooding, it could be significant or even serious locally, but probably not on a widespread basis."
While Swain admitted it's difficult to predict exactly what will happen in the Bay Area, he said the creeks and streams in the Santa Cruz Mountains are at the greatest risk of flooding.
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