California, 1996

Damaging Wind in California, April 1, 1996

April 1, 1996 · NWS HNX · 1 event in 1 county or zone

In western Merced County high wind damaged trees and structures beginning 31/2 miles south of Gustine and ended with powerline and structure damage within the town itself. Only tree, very small structures, and some roof damage was apparent from 31/2 miles south of town to 2 miles south of town.

Where it happened

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  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
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  • Marine and coastal
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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$230,000
Crop damage
$100,000
Events
1

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS HNX wrote it up.

In western Merced County high wind damaged trees and structures beginning 31/2 miles south of Gustine and ended with powerline and structure damage within the town itself. Only tree, very small structures, and some roof damage was apparent from 31/2 miles south of town to 2 miles south of town. About 2 miles south of Gustine and within a 1/2 mile path, a large, well constructed, 60'x60' wood barn, an historical slate rock building, trees, and 40'x100', wood barn were flattened. Eyewitness accounts attribute the damage to high wind only.

The radar

The San Francisco radar (KMUX), 80 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:30 UTC.

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Event by event

1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Merced

When
April 1, 2:45 PM PST to 2:55 PM PST
Where
Merced County, Gustine to 4 mi of Gustine
Measured
80 kt (92 mph)
Property damage
$230,000
Crop damage
$100,000
Coordinates
37.200, -121.000

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in California in 1996Every state in 1996This day in weather historyWarnings in California, April 1996

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5580778.