The National Weather Service has issued a high stream warning for the Sierra Nevada as a high pressure moves into the area bringing with it warmer temperatures.
“A TRANSITION FROM SEASONAL WEATHER TO MUCH WARMER THAN NORMAL WEATHER WILL TAKE PLACE THIS WEEK AS A STRONG HIGH PRESSURE RIDGE BUILDS OVER THE WEST. THIS CHANGE TO MUCH WARMER WEATHER WILL CAUSE STREAMS TO RISE IN THE MOUNTAINS…AND INCREASE HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE LOWER ELEVATIONS BY AS MUCH AS 25 DEGREES. IN THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY…HIGH TEMPERATURES BOTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY WILL RANGE IN THE MID TO UPPER 80S AND A FEW 90 DEGREE READINGS CANNOT BE RULED OUT. OVER THE FOOTHILLS AND SIERRA…
THE WARMEST TEMPERATURES OF THE YEAR WILL OCCUR.
ALTHOUGH IT WILL BE MUCH WARMER IN ALL AREAS…THE MAIN CONCERN FROM THIS MARKED WARM UP WILL BE AN INCREASE IN STREAM FLOW OVER THE FOOTHILLS AND LOWER SIERRA SLOPES DUE TO INCREASING SNOW MELT RATES. ALTHOUGH FLOODING CONDITIONS ARE NOT ANTICIPATED…
MOST STREAMS AND RIVERS WILL EXPERIENCE MUCH HIGHER FLOW AND THIS WILL CREATE A CONCERN FOR PEOPLE VENTURING INTO THE FOOTHILLS AND MOUNTAINS THIS WEEKEND. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT EVEN THOUGH A SWIFT RUNNING STREAM OR RIVER LOOKS COOL AND INVITING…
THE WATER IS ACTUALLY VERY COLD AND MAY BE DANGEROUSLY FAST. OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS ARE ADVISED TO STAY OUT OF AREA STREAMS AND RIVERS EVEN THOUGH AIR TEMPERATURES ARE VERY WARM. “
That means if you’re headed up to the Sierra to do some backpacking or hiking use caution when crossing streams. You can be swept off your feet in as little as 6″ or less of running water but your biggest threat is hypothermia due to cold water exposure. So steer clear and play it safe.