The latest from NWS, showing the rain starting Monday and with higher rainfall totals now:

THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA INTERIOR WILL SEE A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE TO A
WET WEATHER PATTERN NEXT WEEK. A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL
APPROACH THE WEST COAST FROM THE WESTERN PACIFIC ON MONDAY. THIS
SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO BRING COOLER TEMPERATURES AND THE POTENTIAL
FOR SIGNIFICANT PRECIPITATION DUE TO EMBEDDED MOISTURE FROM THE
REMNANTS OF RECENT SUPER TYPHOON MELOR.

HEAVIEST PRECIPITATION WILL BE OVER THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE FORECAST
AREA...INCLUDING THE CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY...THE SIERRA
NEVADA...AND THE SURROUNDING FOOTHILLS MAINLY NORTH OF KINGS
CANYON. THE BULK OF THE PRECIPITATION WILL LIKELY OCCUR MONDAY
NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY NIGHT WITH LINGERING SHOWERS ON WEDNESDAY.

CURRENTLY...RAINFALL TOTALS ARE ESTIMATED TO RANGE FROM 2 INCHES
OVER THE CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY...TO NEAR 5 INCHES IN THE
FOOTHILLS AND HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF THE SIERRA NEVADA. IMPACTS
FROM THIS RAINFALL COULD INCLUDE URBAN AND SMALL STREAM
FLOODING...AND DEBRIS FLOWS ON RECENT WILDFIRE BURN SCARS WHERE
HEAVIEST AMOUNTS OCCUR.

THIS SYSTEM WILL REMAIN FAIRLY WARM WITH SNOW LEVELS EXPECTED TO
REMAIN HIGH...MAINLY ABOVE 8000 FEET. WINDS FOR MONDAY THROUGH
WEDNESDAY ARE EXPECTED TO BE BREEZY WITH THIS SYSTEM...ALTHOUGH
THERE COULD BE STRONG WINDS OVER THE SIERRA NEVADA CREST. TREES
WEAKENED FROM RECENT FIRES COULD ALSO BE DOWNED BY THESE WINDS.

OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS...ESPECIALLY CLIMBERS AND PEOPLE IN THE BACK
COUNTRY...SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR THE CHANGE TO WET AND BREEZY CONDITIONS
NEXT WEEK. MOTORISTS SHOULD CHECK ROAD CONDITIONS...ESPECIALLY
OVER HIGHER PASSES NEXT WEEK.


The storm itself looks like it could impact the first half of the first day of the workshop schedule, but that is still aways out.

However, the forecasted strong downslope winds over the Sierra crest would impact the fall colors as it would blow the leaves off the trees, especially in the Bishop/Aspendell region.

Also, snow/mud could impact the road to Bodie ghost town. That will be determined at the start of the workshop. But rest assured I have several contingency locations in the event the weather does impact our schedule.

Please drive safe in this storm on Tuesday/Wednesday. With snow levels at 8500 feet, it is a guarantee that Tioga Pass (Highway 120) in Yosemite will be closed at the onset of the storm on Monday, as well as Sonora Pass (Highway 108) and Ebbett's Pass (Highay 4).