Sierra Avalanche Dangrer. California Storms Ease Slightly, But Avalanche, Flood & High Surf Warnings

Sierra Avalanche Danger. California is in a transition phase today — still unsettled and stormy at times, but with clear signs the worst is winding down as we head toward a more stable weekend pattern.

Thunderstorms and the heaviest rain are diminishing, but flood watches and warnings remain, especially in vulnerable areas. The west slope of the Sierra Nevada continues to see heavy snow, with winter storm warnings still in effect and chain controls required at times on Interstate 80 and Highway 50.

Many mountain locations have already picked up 2 to 5 feet of snow, and snowfall continues today. I’ll check in with Billy Hudson from Palisades Tahoe for a brief discussion on avalanche control and current mountain safety conditions.

Along the coast, high surf advisories remain active, with large, powerful waves today before swells gradually ease tomorrow. It’s a classic in-between day — stormy at moments, sunny at others — signaling a shift toward calmer weather heading into the weekend.

I’ll walk you through satellite, radar, rainfall totals, short- and long-range forecast models, live cameras from across California, and what this pattern change means for travel, mountains, and the coast.

If you’re traveling, living in the mountains, or planning time outdoors, this update is for you.

YouTube Chapters

00:00 – Storm Watch & Live Cameras
Mammoth, Palisades Tahoe, Caltrans I-80 & Hwy 50, Surfline Steamer Lane

04:18 – Satellite Imagery & Current Radar

06:41 – Rainfall Totals
24-hour and 72-hour accumulations

07:52 – West Coast Weather Headlines
Flood, winter storm, and surf advisories

09:24 – HRRR Short-Range Forecast Model

11:03 – North American Forecast Model

11:48 – GFS Model
Precipitation outlook & 500-mb vorticity

15:24 – Live Camera Cavalcade (North → South)
Mount Shasta, Crescent City, San Francisco, Alturas, Redding, Berkeley, Lake Tahoe, Bakersfield, Owens Valley

22:18 – California Forecast Highs
Today and tomorrow

23:39 – National Forecast & Travel Outlook

25:39 – Earthquake Update

25:54 – Surfline Forecast & Live Cameras
Mavericks, Santa Cruz, San Diego

27:46 – Quick Nature Snacks 🌲🌟 Welcome to Bill Martin's Weather Channel! 🌟
I’m Bill Martin, chief meteorologist at KTU Channel 2, the Bay Area's #1 news station, with nearly 35 years of experience in delivering accurate and engaging weather forecasts. With a solid educational foundation, including an undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley in climatology and physical geography, along with postgraduate work at San Francisco State in atmospheric science, I am also a proud Certified Broadcast Meteorologist recognized by the American Meteorological Society.
Having grown up in Paradise—the town that faced the heart-wrenching reality of wildfires—I’ve developed a personal connection to the landscape and weather patterns of Northern California. As a fifth-generation Northern Californian with pioneer ancestry, my love for this state runs deep. For over 45 years, I've surfed the stunning California coastline, from Santa Cruz to Ocean Beach, gaining an intricate understanding of how the ocean influences our weather.
But that’s not all—I’m also an avid outdoorsman who enjoys fishing, mountain biking, skiing, and snowboarding. My passion for California's natural beauty and the outdoors enriches my approach to meteorology.
On this channel, I aim to break down complex weather patterns into easy-to-understand insights that empower you to grasp what’s happening in our vibrant California climate. My goal is to guide you in accessing a wealth of free information and resources, enabling you to interpret weather data on your own.
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Bill

Bill Martin,meteorologist,weather forecast,surfing,California surf,ocean beach,California history,drought,water issues,climate change,weather patterns,wildfires,coastal weather,Bay Area weather,Sierra Nevada snow,El Niño,La Niña,atmospheric riversBill Martin,meteorologist,weather forecast,surfing,California surf,ocean beach,California history,drought,water issues,climate change,weather patterns,wildfires,coastal weather,Bay Area weather,Sierra Nevada snow,El Niño,La Niña,atmospheric rivers Bill Martin,meteorologist,weather forecast,surfing,California surf,ocean beach,California history,drought,water issues,climate change,weather patterns,wildfires,coastal weather,Bay Area weather,Sierra Nevada snow,El Niño,La Niña,atmospheric rivers