![]() ![]() The relatively steep and lofty terrain also boosts the orographic lift, or the movement of air up the slopes, resulting in greater cloud formation and precipitation. The orientation of the mountains, facing west to southwest, means they’re struck head-on by storm cells off the Pacific Ocean, which generally move from southwest to northeast. The Santa Cruz Mountains, which have certainly lived up to their reputation for rain, have taken the hit this winter because of both the distinct weather and the area’s enduring geography. Many here are still recovering from the copious rainfall and even snow in late February and early March, which followed the brutal series of atmospheric river storms at the start of the year. ![]() The storm, which downed trees and power lines, triggered mudslides and prompted evacuations along rising rivers in the region, was the latest chapter of an extraordinarily wet winter that seems to have taken aim at the Central Coast. There was plenty of damage around the state after another round of heavy rain and (at higher elevations) snow, but the Santa Cruz Mountains bore much of the brunt - again. Live storm map: See where snow and rain are hitting California and Bay Area “My whole family lives up there,” said Kathryn Chandler, who was hoping to return to her home Friday morning but instead found the usually tiny Bates Creek pouring swiftly through a roughly 50-foot-wide chasm on North Main Street. It’s the only way into the area of mostly gentle countryside, which eventually morphs into steep canyons and towering redwoods. Work crews were on scene before daylight amid heavy rain and wind, trying to figure out a way to fix the road. ![]()
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