Alert archive / California / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2018

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 2, NWS Hanford, CA

March 22, 2018Tulare County, California

NWS Hanford, CA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Mar 22, 2018, 3:56 PM PDT for Tulare County, California. It was in force for 34 min. 2 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued: Mar 22, 2018, 3:56 PM PDT (22:56 UTC)
Expired: Mar 22, 2018, 4:30 PM PDT
In force: 34 min
Issued by: NWS Hanford, CA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Tornado: Possible
Hail: 0.88 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

County Tulare County, CA

The radar

The San Joaquin Valley radar (KHNX), 42 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:59 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Mar 22, 4:15 PM PDT	FUNNEL CLOUD	8 Ese Dinuba, CA	REPORT RECEIVED ON FACEBOOK FOR THE YETTEM AREA (NEAR INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 201 AND RD 140). TIME APPROXIMATE.
Mar 22, 4:15 PM PDT	FUNNEL CLOUD	9 Nw Woodlake, CA	IN VICINITY OF AVE 384 AND RD 156 IN NORTHWESTERN TULARE COUNTY, OR TO THE EAST OF TRAVER.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Vandenberg AFB, CA (KVBG), launched 12:00Z, 10.9 hours before the alert went out and 225 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL: 620 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 60 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 347 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 405 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

340 
WUUS56 KHNX 222256
SVRHNX
CAC107-222330-
/O.NEW.KHNX.SV.W.0002.180322T2256Z-180322T2330Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service San Joaquin Valley CA
356 PM PDT THU MAR 22 2018

The National Weather Service in Hanford CA has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northwestern Tulare County in central California...

* Until 430 PM PDT

* At 355 PM PDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Ivanhoe, or 9
  miles northeast of Visalia, moving northeast at 25 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and nickel size hail. 

  SOURCE...Radar indicated. 

  IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees. 

* Locations impacted include...
  Visalia, Orosi, Woodlake, Ivanhoe, East Orosi and Cutler. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

This thunderstorm is capable of producing all types of severe weather
including extremely large hail, destructive straight line winds and
tornadoes. Move quickly to a safe shelter such as an interior room, a
bathroom, closet or basement.

Large hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground
lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately.
Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can
hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

&&

LAT...LON 3632 11923 3645 11939 3665 11920 3652 11891
TIME...MOT...LOC 2255Z 225DEG 21KT 3644 11925 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL...0.88IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$

Dudley

1 follow-up statement

576 
WWUS56 KHNX 222311
SVSHNX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service San Joaquin Valley CA
411 PM PDT THU MAR 22 2018

CAC107-222330-
/O.CON.KHNX.SV.W.0002.000000T0000Z-180322T2330Z/
Tulare CA-
411 PM PDT THU MAR 22 2018

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 430 PM PDT
FOR NORTHWESTERN TULARE COUNTY...

At 410 PM PDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near East Orosi, or
12 miles west of Shadequarter Mtn, moving northeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. 

SOURCE...Radar indicated. 

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to 
         roofs, siding, and trees. 

Locations impacted include...
Orosi, Woodlake, East Orosi and Cutler. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Prepare immediately for large hail and damaging winds. People outside
should move to a shelter, inside a strong building and away from
windows.

This thunderstorm is capable of producing all types of severe weather
including extremely large hail, destructive straight line winds and
tornadoes. Move quickly to a safe shelter, such as an interior room,
a bathroom or closet or basement.

Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading
killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to
be struck by lightning.

&&

LAT...LON 3638 11915 3651 11931 3664 11918 3654 11896
TIME...MOT...LOC 2310Z 225DEG 21KT 3650 11917 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL...1.00IN
WIND...60MPH
 
$$
Dudley

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Hanford, CA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Mar 22, 1:51 PM PDT, 2 hours 5 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 22, 1:51 PM PDT, 2 hours 5 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Joaquin Valley - Hanford CA
151 PM PDT Thu Mar 22 2018

.SYNOPSIS...
Continued atmospheric river influence will continue over the area
through Friday morning. A brief break from the precipitation will
take place on Friday afternoon and into Saturday morning. Then
chances for light precipitation will increase by late afternoon
Saturday as a low pressure system moves through the region.
Ridging will then begin to move into the area on Monday bringing
warmer temperatures and drying conditions well into the middle of
next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...Thunderstorm development and heavy rain remain the
main concerns in the short-term, or through this evening. Latest
radar images show a line of heavy rain with embedded thunderstorms
currently moving over Merced and Mariposa Counties along the cold
front pushing into this area. Other heavy showers are also
developing to the south towards Kings Canyon and Sequoia National
Parks. Another batch of moderate showers are moving towards
western Fresno County, including near Coalinga. Some significant
rises in creeks were enough to cause minor flooding in the hills
northwest of Coalinga, such as Los Gatos Creek since this morning.
The cold front will continue to progress southward over Central
California through this evening, and the threat for heavy rain and
thunderstorms will continue, especially along this boundary. In
addition, any areas ahead of the front where cloud cover has
cleared, including much of the western and southern sides of the
San Joaquin Valley can expect additional shower development along
with isolated strong thunderstorms. Flooding near and over burn
scars due to recent wildfires will continue to be a concern
through this evening. Also, rapid rises in creeks and rivers are
expected, especially in areas of heavy rain that could fall over
areas that have already received abundant amounts since last night
and at earlier times with this ongoing storm. Showers are
expected into Friday morning over much of the region, but remain
confined over the mountain areas in the afternoon. The Storm
Prediction Center (NWS SPC) continues to show a marginal risk of
severe thunderstorms in the San Joaquin Valley and into the Sierra
Nevada foothills through this evening, per their latest Mesoscale
Convective Discussion. Please note we have made no significant
changes to the forecast beyond tonight due to the ongoing
concerns.

&&

.AVIATION...
Mountain obscuration due to clouds/precipitation in the Sierra
Nevada and Tehachapi Range, and MVFR/IFR conditions in low ceilings
and precipitation will prevail through tonight, mainly thru 12Z
Friday. Otherwise, VFR conditions will prevail throughout the
central California interior during the next 24 hours.

&&

.AIR QUALITY ISSUES...
None.

&&

.CERTAINTY...

The level of certainty for days 1 and 2 is high.
The level of certainty for days 3 through 7 is medium.

Certainty levels include low...medium...and high. Please visit
www.weather.gov/hnx/certainty.php for additional information
an/or to provide feedback.

&&

.HNX Watches/Warnings/Advisories...
Flash Flood Watch until 8 PM PDT this evening CAZ093>097.

Winter Storm Warning until 11 PM PDT this evening ABOVE 8000
FEET FOR THE CAZ096-097.

&&

public...BSO
avn/fw...BSO
synopsis...BSO

weather.gov/hanford

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Mar 22, 2:41 PM PDT, 1 hour 15 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service San Joaquin Valley CA
241 PM PDT THU MAR 22 2018

CAZ089-090-093-222230-
Mariposa, Madera, and Fresno County Foothills CA-East-
Central San Joaquin Valley CA-West-Central San Joaquin Valley CA-
241 PM PDT THU MAR 22 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEST CENTRAL MARIPOSA...
SOUTHWESTERN MADERA...NORTHEASTERN MERCED AND NORTHWESTERN FRESNO
COUNTIES UNTIL 330 PM PDT...

At 240 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking an area of strong
thunderstorms near Merced, moving northeast at 30 mph.

Dime size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
these storms.

Locations impacted include...
Merced, Planada and Le Grand.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may
lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through
flooded roadways.

Gusty winds along with already saturated grounds could result in
downed trees.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring. Lightning can
strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside
a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3701 12045 3708 12070 3746 12040 3739 12013
TIME...MOT...LOC 2139Z 210DEG 33KT 3729 12042

DCH

Special weather statement, Mar 22, 2:56 PM PDT, 1 hour before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service San Joaquin Valley CA
256 PM PDT THU MAR 22 2018

CAZ089>094-096-222245-
Mariposa, Madera, and Fresno County Foothills CA-
Southwestern San Joaquin Valley CA-Tulare County Foothills CA-East-
Central San Joaquin Valley CA-Southeastern San Joaquin Valley CA-
West-Central San Joaquin Valley CA-
Sierra Nevada from Yosemite to Kings Canyon CA-
256 PM PDT THU MAR 22 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTH CENTRAL MADERA...
NORTHEASTERN KINGS...NORTHWESTERN TULARE AND CENTRAL FRESNO COUNTIES
UNTIL 345 PM PDT...

At 254 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Fresno to Stratford. Movement was to the east
northeast at 20 mph.

Dime size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
these storms.

Locations impacted include...
Fresno, Visalia, Clovis, Hanford, Lemoore, Sanger, Reedley, Selma,
Dinuba, Orosi, Parlier, Kingsburg, Orange Cove, East Orosi, Armona,
Bowles, Traver, Cutler, Del Rey and Calwa.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Gusty winds along with already saturated grounds could result in
downed trees

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is possible with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3722 11923 3629 11923 3619 11984 3699 11977
TIME...MOT...LOC 2154Z 227DEG 18KT 3676 11976 3620 11983

DCH

Local storm report, Mar 22, 3:04 PM PDT, 52 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HANFORD CA
304 PM PDT THU MAR 22 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0258 PM     DEBRIS FLOW      12 NW MARIPOSA          37.60N 120.12W
03/22/2018                   MARIPOSA           CA   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            COMPLETE CLOSURE OF A ROAD. LOCATED AT SR49
            AND BAGBY.

&&

WP

Local storm report, Mar 22, 3:06 PM PDT, 50 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HANFORD CA
306 PM PDT THU MAR 22 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0258 PM     FLOOD            4 N LATON               36.49N 119.69W
03/22/2018                   FRESNO             CA   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            FOWLER JUST NORTH OF ELKHORN COMPLETELY
            FLOODED.

&&

WP

Local storm report, Mar 22, 3:54 PM PDT, 2 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HANFORD CA
354 PM PDT THU MAR 22 2018

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0345 PM     FUNNEL CLOUD     1 NNE VISALIA           36.34N 119.31W
03/22/2018                   TULARE             CA   NWS EMPLOYEE

            BRIEF COLD AIR FUNNEL REPORTED BY NWS
            EMPLOYEE AT THE CORNER OF HOUSTON AND MOONEY
            IN NORTH VISALIA.

&&

WP

Special weather statement, Mar 22, 3:54 PM PDT, 2 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service San Joaquin Valley CA
354 PM PDT THU MAR 22 2018

CAZ090-092>094-096-097-222330-
Mariposa, Madera, and Fresno County Foothills CA-
Tulare County Foothills CA-Tulare County Mountains CA-East-
Central San Joaquin Valley CA-Southeastern San Joaquin Valley CA-
Sierra Nevada from Yosemite to Kings Canyon CA-
354 PM PDT THU MAR 22 2018

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WESTERN TULARE AND CENTRAL FRESNO
COUNTIES UNTIL 430 PM PDT...

At 354 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 8 miles north of Orange Cove to near Earlimart.
Movement was east northeast at 25 mph.

Dime size hail and winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with
these storms.

Locations impacted include...
Azalea Campground, Crystal Springs Campground, Grant Grove Visitor
Center, Sunset Campground, Visalia, Tulare, Porterville, Shadequarter
Mtn, Dinuba, Orosi, Earlimart, Lindsay, Farmersville, Exeter, Orange
Cove, Woodlake, Terra Bella, Ducor, East Orosi and East Porterville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms, and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Gusty winds along with already saturated grounds could result in
downed trees.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3716 11896 3584 11895 3579 11945 3698 11941
TIME...MOT...LOC 2252Z 243DEG 26KT 3674 11930 3583 11933

DCH

The office that day

Everything else NWS Hanford, CA issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Mar 21, 5:33 PM PDT	Special Weather Statement	HNX		42 min
Mar 21, 6:15 PM PDT	Special Weather Statement	HNX	Madera	45 min
Mar 22, 8:19 AM PDT	Areal Flood Advisory	HNX	Fresno	116 min
Mar 22, 9:41 AM PDT	Areal Flood Advisory	HNX	Fresno	7 hr
Mar 22, 12:01 PM PDT	Areal Flood Advisory	HNX	Mariposa, Merced, Tuolumne	3 hr
Mar 22, 1:27 PM PDT	Special Weather Statement	HNX	Merced	48 min
Mar 22, 1:54 PM PDT	Flash Flood Warning	HNX	Mariposa, Tuolumne	3 hr
Mar 22, 2:12 PM PDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	HNX	Mariposa, Merced	33 min
Mar 22, 2:41 PM PDT	Special Weather Statement	HNX	Merced	49 min
Mar 22, 2:56 PM PDT	Special Weather Statement	HNX	Fresno	49 min
Mar 22, 3:27 PM PDT	Areal Flood Advisory	HNX	Mariposa, Merced, Tuolumne	3 hr
Mar 22, 3:42 PM PDT	Flash Flood Warning Emergency	HNX	Mariposa, Merced, Tuolumne	3 hr
Mar 22, 3:54 PM PDT	Special Weather Statement	HNX	Tulare	36 min
Mar 22, 4:18 PM PDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	HNX	Kern, Kings, Tulare	42 min
Mar 22, 4:31 PM PDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	HNX	Tulare	29 min
Mar 22, 4:42 PM PDT	Special Weather Statement	HNX	Madera	48 min
Mar 22, 4:52 PM PDT	Special Weather Statement	HNX	Kern	38 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in California, 2018 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2018

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.