The atmospheric river has dumped greater than torrential rain on the highways servicing Idyllwild. And it is too early to estimate when repairs will be able to be started, let alone completed.
Since midnight as of 4:15 p.m., Idyllwild Fire Station has recorded more than 1.6 inches of rain, but the Forest Service's Keenwild Station has recorded nearly 5.75 inches, nearly 6.5 inches in 48 hours. Long-term average February rain is 4.5 inches.
The National Weather Service expects the rain to begin tapering off late this afternoon and evening.
But it is expected continue as lighter rain showers all weekend. The NWS forecast is "A series of weak low pressure systems will bring periodic showers Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday afternoon through Sunday night. The coldest and strongest of these systems looks to be the Sunday one, with widespread showers possible and snow levels as low as 3000 feet."
The Idyllwild forecast for Friday night, Feb. 15, is currently 3 to 5 inches of snow. Less Saturday and Sunday. But Sunday, a whopping 16 degrees.
Cool!!
Highway 74
Cal Trans has closed Hwy 74 from Mountain Center to Valle Vista. A portion of the roadway has washed away and many rock slides still block single lanes.
Highway 243
Both lanes of Highway 243 have been lost north of Lake Fulmor.
A portion of the south bound land before lower Saunders Meadows is eroding. Cal Trans has closed 243 from the I-10 to Hwy 74.
And there is concern about Hwy. 243 at the intersection with Jameson Drive.
