There's a very interesting story I found from socialclimber's link upthread, about "atmospheric rivers" and the 43 day deluge that flooded N Cal back in 1861. There's evidence this happens about every 200 years:
The intense rainstorms sweeping in from the Pacific Ocean began to pound central California on Christmas Eve in 1861 and continued virtually unabated for 43 days. The deluges quickly transformed rivers running down from the Sierra Nevada mountains along the state’s eastern border into raging torrents that swept away entire communities and mining settlements. The rivers and rains poured into the state’s vast Central Valley, turning it into an inland sea 300 miles long and 20 miles wide. Thousands of people died, and one quarter of the state’s estimated 800,000 cattle drowned. Downtown Sacramento was submerged under 10 feet of brown water filled with debris from countless mudslides on the region’s steep slopes. California’s legislature, unable to function, moved to San Francisco until Sacramento dried out—six months later.
kunlun_shan, There is a description of the 1861 flood event in "Up and Down California" by William Brewer which is basically a diary of his years on the Whitney survey party from 1861 to 1864, most excellent read. Drop me a PM about skiing, likely heading out tomorrow for high ground.
Kirkwood forecast for tonight is snow.....then mixed snow/rain tomorrow through Sunday. Snow level 8000 feet
YUCK
RAIN again starting Tuesday. At 8000 feet.
So much for skiing.
Let us know!