LOS ANGELES — A powerful winter storm was bearing down Wednesday on California and forecasters warned of heavy snowfall in the northern mountains while predictions of widespread rainfall elsewhere raised concern about flash flooding near wildfire burn scars. Santa Barbara County issued a recommended evacuation warning for south coast communities including Montecito, where a storm dropped an enormous amount of rain In the early morning hours of Jan. 9. Geologists estimate that the scorched earth won’t grow vegetation for three to five years, meaning every time a major storm moves into the area, residents may be asked or ordered to evacuate. The National Weather Service said northern mountains were expected to receive 3 feet (0.9 metre) to 5 feet (1.5 metres) of snow, and up to 7 feet (2.1 metres) in localized areas. Forecasters, however, focused on a host of hazards for anyone trying to drive through the mountains.

Source: National Post February 28, 2018 18:22 UTC