California, 2000

Winter Storm and Flood in California, April 17 to 18, 2000

April 17 to 18, 2000 · NWS SGX · 8 events in 6 counties and zones

A late season Winter Storm brought 18 inches of new snow to elevations above 7000 feet, over two inches of rain to the lower elevations, and strong winds across the mountains and valleys. In the cold unstable air following the front, thunderstorms with large hail and strong downdrafts were common.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 6 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
2
Property damage
$55,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
8

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 late season Winter Storm brought 18 inches of new snow to elevations above 7000 feet, over two inches of rain to the lower elevations, and strong winds across the mountains and valleys. In the cold unstable air following the front, thunderstorms with large hail and strong downdrafts were common.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

2 high wind, 2 heavy rain, 1 winter storm, 1 hail, 1 flood, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, Apple and Yucca Valleys

When
April 17, 12:30 PM PST to 10:30 PM PST
Where
Apple and Yucca Valleys forecast zone
Measured
45 kt (52 mph)
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
34.841, -116.178 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, P Sw San Bernardino

When
April 17, 1:00 PM PST to April 18, 11:00 AM PST
Where
P Sw San Bernardino forecast zone
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
34.841, -116.178 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, San Diego

When
April 17, 1:00 PM PST to April 18, 9:53 AM PST
Where
San Diego County, Countywide
Injuries
2 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage
$45,000
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
33.028, -116.770 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

High Wind, San Diego T X W

When
April 17, 1:00 PM PST to April 18, 3:00 PM PST
Where
San Diego T X W forecast zone
Measured
59 kt (68 mph)
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
33.028, -116.770 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Orange

When
April 17, 10:50 PM PST to 11:35 PM PST
Where
Orange County, San Clemente
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
33.677, -117.776 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Hail, Orange

When
April 18, 4:50 AM PST to 5:15 AM PST
Where
Orange County, Laguna Hills
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
33.583, -117.733

Flood, San Bernardino

When
April 18, 8:30 AM PST to 1:30 PM PST
Where
San Bernardino County, Upland
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
34.841, -116.178 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, San Diego

When
April 18, 3:00 PM PST
Where
San Diego County, Vista
Measured
50 kt (58 mph)
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
33.217, -117.250

What these are

High Wind
Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
Winter Storm
A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
Heavy Rain
Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Flood
Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
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 2000Every state in 2000This day in weather historyWarnings in California, April 2000

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: 5138975, 5138657, 5138980, 5138981, 5138976, 5138977, 5138978, 5138979.