Dear NUSD Families and Staff,

This afternoon I spoke with Novato Fire District Chief Bill Tyler and Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Veliquette about the current and upcoming storms.  The current forecast is calling for a wet and windy week, with a high wind warning and the heaviest rains currently anticipated to hit Wednesday afternoon and evening through mid-day Thursday.  We are in close communication with the Novato Fire District, City of Novato, Marin County Office of Education and the Marin County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services.

Novato Public Works has Sandbags available at the following locations:

  • City of Novato Corp Yard – 500 Davidson Ave
  • Hamilton Theatre – Main Gate Rd – Hamilton.

Community members should bring their own shovels.

Below is a report we received from the National Weather Service via Novato Fire District.

We will provide additional updates as appropriate.  Thank you.

Jim Hogeboom

 

Updated Tuesday Jan 15th 2 pm

Updates Highlighted

Weather Summary

Periods of mainly light rain will continue Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning. A strong cold front will bring rain to the North Bay by Wednesday afternoon and then spread southward Wednesday night with strong wind gusts of 50-60 mph. Rainfall will be heavy for several hours, bringing the potential for flooding of roadways, small streams, and creeks. Main-stem rivers will also rise significantly. Showers linger on Thursday behind the front.

 

Impacts

  • Beneficial light rains through Wednesday morning
  • Heavy rain Weds afternoon through early Thursday will lead to urban and small stream flooding
  • Strong winds with frontal passage Weds afternoon into pre-dawn hours of Thursday may cause downed trees and power outages
  • Weds afternoon/evening commute will be severely impacted

Forecast Confidence

  • Confidence is moderate to high on wind and rain
  • Confidence is moderate to high on timing of main frontal passage

Timing and Strength

  • Periods of light rain Tuesday evening through early Weds.
  • Heavy rain spreads north to south midday Weds through early Thurs
  • Showers linger into Thursday.
  • Dry Friday and Saturday with light rain Sunday
  • Winds will be gusty Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday night

Location

  • All areas from the North Bay to Central Coast will be impacted
  • 3-6 inches of rain for the hills with 1-3 inches in the valleys by the time precipitation ends Thursday night.  Most of the rain will fall Weds.
  • Winds will be strongest along the coast and in the higher terrain
    • 25-35 mph with gusts to 60 mph
  • In lower elevations away from coast, winds of 25-35 mph with gusts to 50 mph

Current Watches/Warnings/Advisories

  • High Wind Warning 1PM Weds to 3AM Thurs for coastal areas and higher terrain
  • Wind Advisory 1PM Weds to 3AM Thurs for lower elevations away from the coast
  • Flash Flood Watch 3PM Weds to 3AM Thurs for most areas
  • For all current watch/warning/advisories, https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/hazardSummary/?wfo=MTR