Saturday, December 6, 2014

Weekly Wrap-Up: Heavy California Rainfall Causes Sinkhole, Mudslides

By Michael Kuhne, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer
December 6,2014; 8:40PM,EST
 
 
 
Earlier in the wee1k, a storm system delivered an average of 1-3 inches of rain across California, but some areas saw higher or lower amounts. Enough rain fell to cause isolated urban-style flooding, as well as mudslides.
Rainfall from the storm was 2.53 inches at San Diego, 2.96 inches at Sacramento and 3.58 inches at San Francisco.
In the Bay Area, a large sinkhole formed in San Francisco's Richmond section. A normal rainfall total for the entire month of December is 4.03 inches.
In addition, the rainfall gave new life to the famous Yosemite Falls, which have been little more than trickling amid the arid conditions. After receiving nearly 1.25 inches of rain, the falls have been brought back to an overflowing display.
After receiving zero percent of the normal rainfall for October and 59 percent in November, the falls were barely visible until the swath of storms moved into the area this week.
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After disruptive conditions and outside factors prompted NASA to delay the launch of the Orion spacecraft Thursday morning, the weather was conducive for a launch Friday morning. The Orion spacecraft successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean upon two orbits and a re-entry that lasted under 4 1/2 hours, according to NPR.
In the Western Pacific's Philippine Sea, a very dangerous situation continued to evolve this week for the Philippines as Super Typhoon Hagupit, locally known as Ruby, set its aim on the nation this weekend. More than 30 million people will be impacted by this cyclone.
Hagupit rapidly strengthened into a super typhoon on Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday with sustained winds over 255 kph (160 mph), the equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic or Eastern Pacific Ocean.
It weakened Thursday evening and into early Friday after going through some strong wind shear. As of Friday evening, Hagupit strengthened back to a super typhoon, continuing to be a major threat for the Philippines.
AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Anthony Sagliani warned "Even with the frequent intensity changes of Hagupit, it is important that those in its path realize that a deadly, destructive storm surge is still possible near and just north of where landfall occurs."
Hagupit's impacts will continue across the region through the weekend.
This animated GIF shows Hagupit tracking westward toward the Philippines. (NOAA/Satellite)
Other AccuWeather.com staff writers and meteorologists contributed content to this article.

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