Strong Wind in California, August 26, 1999

Gusty wind associated with a southwest-to-northeast outflow winds passed through Central California during the late afternoon hours of the 26th. Radar echoes were generally less than 40 dBz and minimal reports of any thunderstorm activity. These outflow winds from the "frontal" band caused damage from the Southern through the Central San Joaquin Valley with the hardest hit area around Kingsburg and Reedley in Southern Fresno County. Numerous trees and powerlines were downed, especially in the Kingsburg area. About 5,000 power coustomers went without power until 2:00 AM in the morning. The peak wind speeds observed appeared to be around 33 MPH but it is felt there were higher gusts along the band. The peak wind at the Fresno Air Terminal occurred at 1727 PDT with the damage in Kingsburg around 1640 PDT.