California, 1997

High Wind and Strong Wind in California, November 26, 1997

November 26, 1997 · NWS SGX · 2 events in 2 counties and zones

Strong winds developed ahead of a surface cold front and deep, upper low pressure center off the California coast. The winds were particularly strong in the Victor Valley, downing trees and power lines, and causing areas of heavy blowing dust and sand.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 2 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
1
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
2

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 SGX wrote it up.

Strong winds developed ahead of a surface cold front and deep, upper low pressure center off the California coast. The winds were particularly strong in the Victor Valley, downing trees and power lines, and causing areas of heavy blowing dust and sand. More than 3000 electric customers lost power for about two hours, including the Cobalt Middle School, where students were sent home early because of the inability to safely move between classrooms. A 3000 square foot surface of asphalt roofing was ripped off a business in Hesperia, which resulted in minor water damage. In San Diego County, the winds whipped an awning onto a woman shopping at a farmers market in Carlsbad. The 71 year-old woman suffered head injuries and was treated and released from a local hospital.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 high wind, 1 strong wind. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Apple and Yucca Valleys

When
November 26, 8:00 AM PST to 10:00 AM PST
Where
Apple and Yucca Valleys forecast zone
Measured
65 kt (75 mph)
Coordinates
34.841, -116.178 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong Wind, San Diego

When
November 26, 9:00 AM PST
Where
San Diego County, Carlsbad
Injuries
1 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates
33.028, -116.770 (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.
Strong Wind
Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in California in 1997Every state in 1997This day in weather historyWarnings in California, November 1997

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: 5620207, 5620208.