Rain is on the way, but it’s not clear how much

Dr. Jeff Masters of www.wunderground.com reports, “After a crushingly dry February, it looks as if early to mid-March is likely to bring California some of the serious moisture it needs from the 2015-16 El Niño event – and perhaps some unwanted flooding and mudslides. Long-range models are increasingly confident that the low-latitude jet stream that’s been dodging the California coast for weeks will finally plow into the state over the next 10 to 15 days, hauling copious amounts of Pacific moisture inland with it.”

He adds, “The first significant storm should plow into Northern and Central California this coming weekend, followed by a stronger series of storms affecting most of the state during the following week . . . It remains unclear how far into Southern California the biggest rains and mountain snows will extend.”

In case Canyon Lake sees major precipitation, residents are reminded that sand, sandbags and a shovel are located behind the fire station on Vacation Dr. The gate is open daily from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If sandbags are needed when the gate is locked, contact Community Patrol at 244-6841, ext. 410, and an officer will arrive to unlock the gate.