4/20/12 23:30 update…

Scattered rain showers will begin overnight and continue throughout the day Saturday. With high temps in the low 70s, there is also a chance of isolated, non-severe thunderstorms as a weak warm front lifts and a weak cold front passes. Following the passage of the cold front, showers will become more frequent as it transitions into steady rain by late Saturday night.  Steady rain, heavy at times, will continue throughout the day Sunday and into Monday.

Significant rainfall totals will be seen. Up to 2″ of rain is nearly certain, but some areas could see up to 4-5″ of rain with the heavier bands.  Due to the prolonged dry conditions, we can handle this much rain.  Creeks, streams and rivers will have no problem handling this much rain runoff due to low water levels.  However, some ponding on roadways and minor urban flooding is possible when the rain becomes heavy.  Any standing rainwater will eventually soak into the dry ground or run off into streams and creeks.  Therefore, significant flooding is unlikely.

Even with this much rain, we are not out of the woods with the fire danger just yet.  It would be more beneficial to receive lesser amounts of rain broken up at different times.  This much rain causes runoff instead of a slow rain which could soak into the brush.  It will significantly help with the recent fire danger, but could resume if we do not see more slower, soaking rains over the next few weeks to come.