Yes, it is true that Blazing Saddles  was shot in California but it was never intended as a "how to" book for building their high speed rail system which, last week, was estimated to now cost a third of a trillion  dollars.    Mel Brooks' script from Blazing Saddles So, yes, there are what could be considered 'instructions' in the script. But, since the high speed rail project actually began 30-years ago, could the real motivation be hinted at in the script? Of course, bad guy Hedley Lamarr realizes there is something standing between him and getting that land: "the rightful owners." So, he concocted a scheme to get the people of Rock Ridge to want to give up their cherished town's land.  Kinda sounds like government today, doesn't it? After writing the above, hours later this came across my X-feed:

Saturday: The item below is from Twitter/X and was published by Dr. Ryan Maue who is a meteorologist and the former chief scientist of NOAA. I share his concern. As I mention below, I would be putting proactive water conservation measures in effect now, just in case.  -- The information below was published Thursday --  We try very hard to make this a "no hype" site for weather forecasts and other information. With that said, my concern is growing by the day that we are in for serious and worsening drought in the western half of the "Lower 48." The map above is the difference from average forecast temperature for the next five days. From California to the Rockies and High Plains it is forecast to be very warm. This is an "ensemble" of forecasts from the ECMWF model system (which tends to dampen out forecast extremes as we get farther into the future) and it continues to show significantly warmer than average weather in the same area. With greater heat, high...

The West is going to have an extremely wet week.  That is more than ten inches of precipitation (the liquid content of snow) on some of the peaks of the Sierra. Five inches are forecast for the peaks in Santa Barbara County and north of Los Angeles. In the short term, rainfall rates of more than 1"/hour are possible from Los Angeles to Orange to San Diego Counties from now until 5pm PST. Latest NWS watches and warnings.  Pink = winter storm warning  Gold = high wind warning  Magenta = flash flood warning  Green = flash flood watch  Purple = winter weather advisory Sand = wind advisory  

Here's the latest drought map as of Tuesday.  The darker the orange/red, the worse the drought conditions.  The forecast rainfall for the first full week of 2026 shows some relief for the Midwest and the Intermountain Region. Unfortunately, rain is forecast to continue over California. 

More heavy rain (snow in the mountains) forecast. Rains have already begun over the southern two-thirds of the state. See 3:15pm radar below. In addition, there is small risk of a tornado, especially tomorrow morning, in coastal areas of Southern California, shown in dark green.

California Here is the color code: Northeast Winter Storm Radar at 1:42pm. Blue is snow. Salmon is freezing rain. The freezing rain is moving southeast.  At noon Friday the dark orange is accumulating freezing rain -- an ice storm. Pale orange is lesser freezing rain. Dark blue s heavy snow.  At this time (2:50pm EST), the following warnings/watches are out: Deep purple = ice storm warning.  Pink = winter storm warning (snow) Purple = winter weather advisory. An ice storm warning is a serious situation with power failures likely. Please prepare now!

Here is the latest radar. White is snow.  The green polygons are flash flood warnings.  Here are the latest watches and warnings. The color legend is below.

As of 8:10am, heavy snow is falling in the Sierra (blue) heavy rain and some sleet in the foothills (yellow and red) and heavy rain in the east-west mountains in Southern California. The green polygons are flash flood warnings and the yellow polygon is a severe thunderstorm warning.

The high risk of flash flooding (purple) continues across a large area of Southern California. The time of highest risk is Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. An explanation of the risk is below. Father north, the risk is snow over the Sierra, including I-80. I will continue to provide updates. 

This is an extremely dangerous situation made even more so because it is occurring on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. In the purple area, there is an extreme  risk of flash flooding and in the red area there is a high  risk of flash flooding.  Rainfall amounts may exceed a foot in a few locations. Some preliminary  model indicators indicate that some streams may reach levels expected just once every 50 years. So, even though Christmas is a joyous holiday, it will be essential to monitor the weather and be prepared to evacuate on short notice. This will be especially important downstream of burn scars.  I will continue to update on this major threat. 

Green = flood watch. Pink = winter storm warning. Blue = winter storm watch.  An extraordinary amount of rain, with snow at highest elevations, is forecast to fall in California Christmas week.  Along Interstate 80 between Reno and Sacramento during the next 5 days,  With the heaviest rains falling throughout Northern California falling Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (Christmas Eve), which includes I-5. Later in the week, heavy - likely flood producing - rains will fall in the Southland.  Here is the 5-day forecast of rainfall/liquid content of snow. That is 21" of snow in the mountains where you see the pink. Much of the precipitation will be in the form of rain which is unexpected in late December. Only at the highest elevations will it be snow. The issue, of course, will be flooding, possibly major.  Later in the week, the flooding threat will shift to Southern California. This is the forecast rainfall to 7am Sunday. At this point almost all of this precipitat...

Especially in the red area, never attempt to cross a flooded area by foot or by car. 

In the mountains north and west of Los Angeles as much as ten inches of rain is forecast to fall by the National Weather Service during the next five days. If this forecast is correct, there will be flooding and mudslides, especially in burn scar regions. It is essential that preparations be made now, in the hours before the heavy rains arrive.  Below is location-specific information.  Note:  For those of you who may have looked at the NWS's "National Flood Hazard Outlook," I disagree with its "limited" hazard forecast. If these extreme rainfall amounts materialize, the flooding will be quite serious.  Here is the radar at 12:20pm PST. 

As much as 9 inches of rain is forecast to fall over the mountains of Southern California with heavy snow over the Sierra during the next five days. A winter storm warning is in effect for the Sierra with a flood watch in the foothills. There could be mudslides in the burn areas.  Below are additional details from the National Weather Service. 

As much as 6 inches of precipitation (rain + the moisture content of snow) is forecast in the Sierra of California) during the next five days.  Given the rain they've already had the past 30 days, it equates to an early start to the California rainy season. 

The moisture associated with a dying Pacific hurricane is going to help cause flash flooding in the Southwest. You can see the remains of Priscilla off the coast of Baja. It contains extremely high levels of atmospheric moisture to be turned into rain.  Until 6am Friday 6 am Friday to 6am Saturday  The red area is a "moderate" risk on the national flash flood forecasting scale. Keep in mind that this is extremely high for Arizona. Take a look: Update: 3:10pm MDT, flash flood watches in effect in green.  Four Arizonans were killed in recent flash flooding in the state. At least three of the four were killed in their automobiles.  In the strongest possible terms, do not try to cross flooded areas by foot or by car!  Unless you live in a relatively low area or close to a watercourse, it might be a good idea to forego unnecessary travel. 

Rainfall amounts between now and 8am EDT Monday.  A few areas of flooding are forecast this week in the hatched area.  Unusual thunderstorms are forecast for central California from now until Wednesday night. Isolated flash floods are possible with the heavier thunderstorms.  While the Atlantic may see several tropical systems, none are forecast to directly affect the mainland United States. Have a great week!

The NWS forecast for the Northwest shows a wet week ahead. The rain/snow is needed in many areas.