California, 1996

High Wind in California, December 9, 1996

December 9, 1996 · NWS REV · 1 event in 1 county or zone

Damage was observed in South Lake Tahoe from strong gusty winds during the morning hours. Trees fell on a couple of homes, causing considerable damage.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$50,000
Crop damage
None recorded
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 REV wrote it up.

Damage was observed in South Lake Tahoe from strong gusty winds during the morning hours. Trees fell on a couple of homes, causing considerable damage. From surrounding data, winds were estimated in the 50-60 kt range.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

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Event by event

1 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Greater Lake Tahoe Area

When
December 9, 5:00 AM PST to 6:00 AM PST
Where
Greater Lake Tahoe Area forecast zone
Measured
60 kt (69 mph)
Property damage
$50,000
Coordinates
38.935, -120.458 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

High Wind
Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.

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, December 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: 5543944.