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Approaching bomb storms rain or snow on Donner? Other potential problems to tracks ?

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Approaching bomb storms rain or snow on Donner? Other potential problems to tracks ?
Posted by blue streak 1 on Friday, October 22, 2021 9:38 PM

Approaching 2nd storm will have a Categorgy 3 rating ( Hurrricane speeds ).  These two storm systems will only have one good result.  The fires should be put out in northern CA and rest of PNW.  Will all the snow in the higher altitudes remain until late next spring ?

There may be multiple track washouts.  Will Amtrak suffer another cancellation of the Starlight ?

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Posted by Erik_Mag on Friday, October 22, 2021 10:09 PM

I strongly disagree on "only have one good result". The precipitation will be very helpful in filling reservoirs - Lake Shasta is about 25% capacity.

OTOH, I would be very surprised if there weren't some closures due to washouts, mudslides and debris flows.

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Posted by BaltACD on Friday, October 22, 2021 10:22 PM

Any precipitation in areas of drought is beneficial until such time as flooding and mudslides happen.  If excess precipitation falls in the fire damaged areas then mudslides are likely as there will be virtually no vegetation to hold anything in place.

One thing to remember about The Weather Channel (ever since it was bought by Comcat/NBC) - the station is looked at by its owners as a entertainment station and as such is judged by them by its TV ratings, not its meteorology.  TWC has one thing to sell to create ratings - THEY SELL FEAR and they do it very well.

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Posted by greyhounds on Saturday, October 23, 2021 12:30 AM

Yes.

This weather has happened before and it will happen again.  The railroads will handle it.  As they've always done.

"By many measures, the U.S. freight rail system is the safest, most efficient and cost effective in the world." - Federal Railroad Administration, October, 2009. I'm just your average, everyday, uncivilized howling "anti-government" critic of mass government expenditures for "High Speed Rail" in the US. And I'm gosh darn proud of that.
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Posted by jeffhergert on Saturday, October 23, 2021 1:44 AM

What?  The Weather Channel sensationalizes the weather?  No, it can't be true.

Weather Channel Reporter FAKES HIGH WINDS While Two People Walk By FINE - YouTube

Winter's coming.  Time to start naming every large band of snow that passes through.

Jeff

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, October 23, 2021 12:09 PM

I don't believe the term "bomb cyclone" is a TWC invention. 

But, yes, the whole "if it bleeds, it leads" does apply to the weather as well.

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Posted by zugmann on Saturday, October 23, 2021 12:12 PM

jeffhergert
What?  The Weather Channel sensationalizes the weather?  No, it can't be true.

That's the channel with the tow truck show, right?

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

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Posted by rdamon on Saturday, October 23, 2021 12:33 PM

Has TWC given it a human name yet?

Time to switch the calender from Fire to Flood in CA ..

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Posted by MikeF90 on Saturday, October 23, 2021 3:01 PM

BaltACD
One thing to remember about The Weather Channel (ever since it was bought by Comcat/NBC) - the station is looked at by its owners as a entertainment station and as such is judged by them by its TV ratings, not its meteorology.

TWC has been going downhill longer than the 2008 purchase by NBC. It has been owned by Byron Allens's Entertainment Studios since 2018; the latter is a super low budget operation. Now back to the weather ....

 

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, October 23, 2021 3:19 PM

I used to leave the cable box tuned to TWC when I shut the TV off.  That way the weather was the first thing I saw when I turned the TV on.

Now TWC isn't worth watching, and the cable box automatically comes up on their own channel when I turn it on...

Besides, I can get some pretty serious weather info elsewhere...

LarryWhistling
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Posted by MidlandMike on Saturday, October 23, 2021 7:27 PM

Or you could just click in the NOAA site:

https://www.weather.gov/

 

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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, October 23, 2021 7:35 PM

MidlandMike

Or you could just click in the NOAA site:

https://www.weather.gov/

As the local Skywarn guy, I get the weekly briefs from NWS Buffalo. Good stuff.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Erik_Mag on Saturday, October 23, 2021 11:43 PM

tree68

I don't believe the term "bomb cyclone" is a TWC invention. 

I'm pretty sure you are correct. IIRC, a "bomb cyclone" refers to a cyclone where the center pressure drops by some given amount in 24 hours - i.e. a very rapid pressure drop.

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Posted by 7j43k on Sunday, October 24, 2021 9:29 AM

Snow on Donner in the winter.

 

Who woulda thunk?

 

Ed

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Posted by BEAUSABRE on Sunday, October 24, 2021 1:35 PM

tree68
Now TWC isn't worth watching

I totally disagree, most of the Weather Girls are HAWT

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Posted by BEAUSABRE on Sunday, October 24, 2021 1:38 PM

zugmann
That's the channel with the tow truck show, right?

Not only that, it's a CANADIAN tow truck show. But hey, it's no worse than the garbage on the (Fake) "History" Channel

Thank God they taught me to read. I bless my teachers every time I pick up a magazine or book

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, October 24, 2021 2:13 PM

BEAUSABRE
I totally disagree, most of the Weather Girls are HAWT

That's pretty much always been the case...

LarryWhistling
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Posted by zugmann on Sunday, October 24, 2021 2:16 PM

BEAUSABRE
Not only that, it's a CANADIAN tow truck show.

Are you implying that's worse?

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

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Posted by MikeF90 on Sunday, October 24, 2021 2:53 PM

Erik_Mag
I'm pretty sure you are correct. IIRC, a "bomb cyclone" refers to a cyclone where the center pressure drops by some given amount in 24 hours - i.e. a very rapid pressure drop.

Guess no one noticed my link with some history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explosive_cyclogenesis

Just noticed tonights 49ers vs Colts game is here in Santa Clara. Perhaps they will be warming up with their water polo skills.

Fire season has officially transitioned to Mudslide season ...

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Posted by BEAUSABRE on Monday, October 25, 2021 7:55 AM

zugmann
BEAUSABRE Not only that, it's a CANADIAN tow truck show. Are you implying that's worse? Add

Muchly - Remember these words of wisdom, "Blame Canada!"

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Posted by YoHo1975 on Monday, October 25, 2021 2:35 PM
I had some friends back in Wisconsin mocking how empty Levi Stadium was. I've experienced some pretty cold and Windy days living in Chicagoland and vacationing up by green bay, but I never had to deal with mudslides on the regular. Nor Fire. Anyway. CA70 Washed out north of Pulgas in the Dixie Burn scar. I'm not sure exactly where and weather the Feather River Route was affected, but if I had to guess on where there would be a problem, that's it. Donner, I haven't heard anything. Atomospheric Rivers, Colloquially known as Pineapple express are normal for the west coast. That's how we get our rain. This however is super early to have one. We should still be dealing with fires and Santa Anas/Diablo winds. It's also a Category 5 which is not typical. Nor cal typically gets one Cat 4 every year or so. Cat5 is serious. Though it might have been downgraded, because it is clear and sunny here in Roseville and it wasn't supposed to be today.
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Posted by Shadow the Cats owner on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 8:32 AM

The men and women who keep Donner open probably went oh good time for us to freaking shine.  They've seen worse than this and will be like is this all you got momma nature.  

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Posted by YoHo1975 on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 10:39 AM
They had the Flangers up there, which is nothing. No spreaders, no plows. No washouts in the Canyon either. BNSF and UP were running trains through the Feather River without issue.
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Posted by 7j43k on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 2:30 PM

I strongly recommend:

 

"30 Years over Donner" by Bill Fisher.

He worked there as a signal maintainer.  Fun read!

 

 

Ed

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