California, 1998

Hail and Damaging Winds in California, August 12, 1998

August 12, 1998 · NWS SGX · 5 events in 3 counties and zones

A weak easterly wave sparked severe thunderstorms over the higher mountain areas throughout southwestern California. The strongest storms developed over the mountains of Riverside County and moved through the San Jacinto Valley, producing 70 mph winds and 3/4 inch diameter hail.

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.

  • 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
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
5

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.

A weak easterly wave sparked severe thunderstorms over the higher mountain areas throughout southwestern California. The strongest storms developed over the mountains of Riverside County and moved through the San Jacinto Valley, producing 70 mph winds and 3/4 inch diameter hail. The winds toppled trees and snapped power poles, disrupting electric service to some 12,000 customers for up to six hours. Winds at Hemet-Ryan Airport were clocked at 62 mph when the roof was lifted off the pilot ready-room. Extensive damage occurred to trees, and six trailer homes were damaged at the Hemet West Mobile Estates. Elsewhere, the highway patrol reported golf ball sized hail in the Cajon Pass, and a heavy downpour at Boulevard, in San Diego County, left 1.6 inches of rain in just 30 minutes.

The radar

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

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Event by event

3 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail, 1 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, San Bernardino

When
August 12, 11:45 AM PST to 12:15 PM PST
Where
San Bernardino County, Cajon
Measured
1.5 in hail
Reported by
DEPT OF HIGHWAYS
Coordinates
34.320, -117.470

Thunderstorm Wind, Riverside

When
August 12, 1:45 PM PST to 2:45 PM PST
Where
Riverside County, San Jacinto
Measured
61 kt (70 mph)
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
33.780, -116.950

Thunderstorm Wind, Riverside

When
August 12, 1:45 PM PST to 2:45 PM PST
Where
Riverside County, Valle Vista
Measured
61 kt (70 mph)
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
33.750, -116.900

Heavy Rain, San Diego

When
August 12, 2:15 PM PST to 2:45 PM PST
Where
San Diego County, Boulevard
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
33.028, -116.770 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Riverside

When
August 12, 2:35 PM PST
Where
Riverside County, Hemet Ryan Arpt
Measured
54 kt (62 mph)
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
33.730, -117.020

What these are

Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
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.
Heavy Rain
Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in California in 1998Every state in 1998This day in weather historyWarnings in California, August 1998

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: 5664008, 5664010, 5664011, 5664013, 5664012.