CoolSeason Coastal Flooding in California: 13 January 1997

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Cool-Season Coastal Flooding in California 1-3
January 1997

• Matthew Kelsch Hydrometeorologist
• UCAR/COMET (Cooperative Program for Operational
  Meteorology, Education and Training)
• Boulder, Colorado USA
• kelsch_at_comet.ucar.edu

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Cool-Season Coastal Flooding in California 1-3
January 1997

• Duration of rainfall increased as series of
  weather systems moves in from Pacific
• Intensity of rainfall enhanced by maritime,
  semi-tropical fetch (Pineapple Connection)
• Topography enhances duration be creating
  persistent regeneration area and intensity by
  provided extra low-level upward motion
• Rapid snowmelt adds to runoff

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Cool-Season Coastal Flooding in California 1-3
January 1997

• Levee failures create flash floods situation
• important interagency communication
• public education of risk
• Tropical, maritime connection and snowmelt cause
  catastrophic event