Storm in Northern California weakens, but more snow expected

Northern California got a bit of a respite on Monday after heavy snowfall in the mountains over the weekend, but forecasters said a few more feet of pile up midweek, after which there could be fears of flooding.

A long stretch of US 395 on the east side of the Sierra Nevada remained closed. The other main highways of the Sierra were opened, but with circuit requirements.

A long section of the mountain range is under an avalanche warning.

Meanwhile, forecasters said the next Pacific storm arriving later in the week will be associated with a moderately strong atmospheric river.

“An abundance of subtropical moisture will move inland over Central California along the southern periphery of this storm system from Thursday evening to Friday evening,” the National Weather Service said.

The service said heavy rainfall and moderate air mass will cause rapid snowmelt in areas that have recently received several feet of snow.

In Southern California, authorities continued to clean up roads and distribute food, water and blankets to residents stranded in the blizzard-ridden San Bernardino Mountains east of Los Angeles.

San Bernardino County said Sunday that 79% of county-managed roads in the area have become passable, meaning at least one lane is open. However, the county and state transportation departments are not allowed to plow private property.