California, 2003

Heavy Snow in California, December 28 to 29, 2003

December 28 to 29, 2003 · NWS MFR · 33 events in 5 counties and zones

A Winter Storm Warning was issued for California zones CAZ080/081/082/083/084/085 above 2000 feet on 12/28/03 at 0315 PST and expired on 12/29/03 at 1830 PST. The observations above verified the warning, which likely should have included all elevations above 1000 feet or so.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 33 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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
33

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 MFR wrote it up.

A Winter Storm Warning was issued for California zones CAZ080/081/082/083/084/085 above 2000 feet on 12/28/03 at 0315 PST and expired on 12/29/03 at 1830 PST. The observations above verified the warning, which likely should have included all elevations above 1000 feet or so. Snow observations at high altitudes indicated the event occurred from 1200 PST on 12/28 to 1200 PST on 12/29.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Medford, OR wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 28, 2:50 AM PST, 5 hours 25 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 28, 2:50 AM PST, 5 hours 25 minutes before
SOUTHWEST OREGON AND NORTHERN CALIFORNIA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD, OR
250 AM PST SUN DEC 28 2003

.DISCUSSION...
THE COLD CLOUD SHIELD OF THE APPROACHING STORM AS SEEN ON
THE IR SATELLITE LOOP IS NEARING THE COAST. THE COLDEST TOPS
LAG FAR BEHIND BUT A STRONG 250MB JET WILL BRING THE ASSOCIATED
PRECIPITATION TO OUR AREA IN THE AFTERNOON. THE MESO ETA HAS
REJOINED THE GFS AND SHIFTED THE SURFACE LOW BACK SOUTH TO
SOUTHWEST OF BROOKINGS BY MONDAY MORNING. BOTH MODELS GENERATE
OVER AN INCH OF PRECIPITATION SUNDAY NIGHT WITH STRONG OVERRUNNING
INTO A POOL OF COLD AIR. ALTHOUGH SNOW LEVELS COULD RISE BRIEFLY
TO 5K FT THEY SHOULD QUICKLY FALL DUE TO THE NARROW ZONE OF WARMEST
AIR ALOFT REMAINING CONFINED TO NEAR THE COAST. ALSO THE HIGH
PRECIPITATION RATES AND COLD AIR INLAND TRAPPED IN VALLEYS SHOULD
BRING SNOW LEVELS DOWN QUICKLY SUNDAY NIGHT TO 2000 FEET. WITH
THIS IN MIND A WINTER STORM WARNING WILL BE IN EFFECT FOR MOST OF
OUR FORECAST AREA EXCLUDING THE COAST AND PART OF THE UMPQUA BASIN.
THE HEAVIEST SNOW WILL OCCUR SUNDAY NIGHT AND TAPER OFF MONDAY
MORNING. LOW ELEVATION SNOWS COULD OCCUR AS LOW AS 1500 FEET.

MONDAY NIGHT SKIES WILL BEGIN TO CLEAR WITH PATCHY FOG. TUESDAY
COULD BE A NICE BUT COLD DAY. TUESDAY NIGHT BEFORE THE RIDGE
COMPLETELY EXITS AREAS OF FOG LOCALLY DENSE WILL FORM IN WESTERN
VALLEYS.

CLOUDS AND LIGHT PRECIPITATION MOVES IN WEDNESDAY AND ANOTHER
WARM FRONTAL SYSTEM ARRIVES EARLY THURSDAY WITH THE FOCUS OF
THE PRECIPITATION AGAIN IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. AFTER THAT THE
PATTERN WILL CONTINUE COLD AND SHOWERY.

&&

.MFR...WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
       OR...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FLORENCE TO OR/CA BORDER.
       WINTER STORM WARNING ORZ024>031 ABOVE 2000 FT SUNDAY
       NIGHT AND MONDAY MORNING.
       CA...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY OR/CA BORDER TO PT ST GEORGE.
       WINTER STORM WARNING SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY MORNING
       CAZ080>085 ABOVE 2000 FT.

&&

MO
Hazardous weather outlook, Dec 28, 6:30 AM PST, 1 hour 45 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
630 AM PST SUN DEC 28 2003

CAZ080>085-ORZ024>031-281430-
CENTRAL AND EASTERN LAKE COUNTY-CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN MODOC COUNTY-
CENTRAL SISKIYOU COUNTY-EASTERN CURRY COUNTY AND JOSEPHINE COUNTY-
EASTERN DOUGLAS COUNTY FOOTHILLS-JACKSON COUNTY-KLAMATH BASIN-
NORTH CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST SISKIYOU COUNTY-
NORTHEAST KLAMATH COUNTY AND WESTERN LAKE COUNTY-
NORTHEAST SISKIYOU COUNTY AND NORTHWEST MODOC COUNTY-
SISKIYOU MOUNTAINS AND SOUTH OREGON CASCADES-
SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON CASCADES-SOUTH CENTRAL SISKIYOU COUNTY-
WESTERN SISKIYOU COUNTY-
630 AM PST SUN DEC 28 2003

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHERN OREGON AND NORTHERN
CALIFORNIA

.DAY ONE...TODAY

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

WINTER STORM WARNING SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY MORNING
ABOVE 2000 FEET. SEE PDXWSWMFR FOR DETAILS.

ORZ021>023-281430-
CENTRAL DOUGLAS COUNTY-CURRY COUNTY COAST-SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON COAST-
630 AM PST SUN DEC 28 2003

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHERN OREGON AND NORTHERN
CALIFORNIA

.DAY ONE...TODAY

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

HESS

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

33 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Snow, Western Siskiyou County

When
December 28, 8:15 AM PST
Where
Western Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter SY07 in Fort Jones reported 6 inches of snow in 4 hours.

Heavy Snow, Central Siskiyou County

When
December 29, 5:00 AM PST
Where
Central Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter SY84 in Yreka reported 23 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow, Central Siskiyou County

When
December 29, 5:00 AM PST
Where
Central Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter SY84 in Yreka reported 23 inches of snow overnight.

Heavy Snow, South Central Siskiyou County

When
December 29, 7:00 AM PST
Where
South Central Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter SY49 in Mt. Shasta City reported 18 inches of snow in 12 hours.

Heavy Snow, Western Siskiyou County

When
December 29, 8:00 AM PST
Where
Western Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Fort Jones cooperative observer recorded a 24 hour snow total of 18 inches, ending at 0800 on 12/29.

Heavy Snow, Western Siskiyou County

When
December 29, 8:00 AM PST
Where
Western Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Happy Camp cooperative observer recorded a 24 hour snow total of 10 inches, ending at 0800 PST on 12/29.

Heavy Snow, Central Siskiyou County

When
December 29, 8:00 AM PST
Where
Central Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Yreka cooperative observer recorded a 24 hour snow total of 18 inches, ending at 0800 PST on 12/29.

Heavy Snow, Central Siskiyou County

When
December 29, 8:00 AM PST
Where
Central Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter SY05 in Weed reported 20 inches of snow in 24 hours.

Heavy Snow, Modoc County

When
December 29, 8:00 AM PST
Where
Modoc County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.590, -120.725 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter MO33 in Lookout reported 10 inches of snow overnight.

Heavy Snow, South Central Siskiyou County

When
December 29, 8:00 AM PST
Where
South Central Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The McCloud cooperative observer recorded a 24 hour snow total of 30 inches, ending at 0800 PST on 12/29.

Heavy Snow, South Central Siskiyou County

When
December 29, 8:00 AM PST
Where
South Central Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Dunsmuir cooperative observer reported a 24 hour snow total of 18 inches, ending at 0800 PST on 12/29.

Heavy Snow, South Central Siskiyou County

When
December 29, 9:00 AM PST
Where
South Central Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter SY70 in McCloud reported 23 inches of snow in 21 hours.

Heavy Snow, Northeast Siskiyou and Northwest Modoc Counties

When
December 29, 10:00 AM PST
Where
Northeast Siskiyou and Northwest Modoc Counties forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.592, -121.632 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter SY18 in Dorris reported 9 inches of snow in 24 hours.

Heavy Snow, Northeast Siskiyou and Northwest Modoc Counties

When
December 29, 11:00 AM PST
Where
Northeast Siskiyou and Northwest Modoc Counties forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.592, -121.632 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter SY11 in MacDoel reported 6 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow, Western Siskiyou County

When
December 29, 11:06 AM PST
Where
Western Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter SY02 in Etna reported 13 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow, Northeast Siskiyou and Northwest Modoc Counties

When
December 29, 11:08 AM PST
Where
Northeast Siskiyou and Northwest Modoc Counties forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.592, -121.632 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter SY20 in Tulelake reported 4 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow, Western Siskiyou County

When
December 29, 11:08 AM PST
Where
Western Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter SY23 in Fort Jones reported 23 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow, Northeast Siskiyou and Northwest Modoc Counties

When
December 29, 11:09 AM PST
Where
Northeast Siskiyou and Northwest Modoc Counties forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.592, -121.632 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter SY42 in Macdoel reported 7 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow, Western Siskiyou County

When
December 29, 11:10 AM PST
Where
Western Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter SY48 in Scott's Bar reported 6 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow, Western Siskiyou County

When
December 29, 11:11 AM PST
Where
Western Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter SY50 in Happy Camp reported 7 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow, Central Siskiyou County

When
December 29, 11:12 AM PST
Where
Central Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter SY47 in Hornbrook reported 10 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow, Western Siskiyou County

When
December 29, 11:12 AM PST
Where
Western Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter SY37 in Fort Jones reported 20 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow, Northeast Siskiyou and Northwest Modoc Counties

When
December 29, 11:13 AM PST
Where
Northeast Siskiyou and Northwest Modoc Counties forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.592, -121.632 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter SY59 in Dorris reported 8 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow, South Central Siskiyou County

When
December 29, 11:14 AM PST
Where
South Central Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter SY82 in Mt. Shasta City reported 21 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow, Western Siskiyou County

When
December 29, 11:15 AM PST
Where
Western Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter SY88 in Happy Camp reported 6 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow, South Central Siskiyou County

When
December 29, 11:16 AM PST
Where
South Central Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter SY03 in Dunsmuir reported 25 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow, Western Siskiyou County

When
December 29, 11:16 AM PST
Where
Western Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter SY89 in Sawyer's Bar reported 2-3 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow, Modoc County

When
December 29, 12:54 PM PST
Where
Modoc County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.590, -120.725 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter MO07 in Adin reported 7-8 inches of snow.

Heavy Snow, Central Siskiyou County

When
December 29, 4:00 PM PST
Where
Central Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Copco Dam cooperative observer recorded a 24 hour snow total of 10 inches, ending at 1600 PST on 12/29.

Heavy Snow, Western Siskiyou County

When
December 29, 4:30 PM PST
Where
Western Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter SY100 in Happy Camp reported 9.5 inches of snow in 24 hours.

Heavy Snow, South Central Siskiyou County

When
December 29, 5:00 PM PST
Where
South Central Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Mt. Shasta City cooperative observer recorded a 24 hour snow total of 22 inches, ending at 1700 PST on 12/29. Two inches were recorded the previous day, for a storm total of 24 inches.

Heavy Snow, Central Siskiyou County

When
December 29, 5:45 PM PST
Where
Central Siskiyou County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.593, -122.540 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter SY94 in Weed reported 18 inches of snow in 24 hours ending at 1200 PST on 12/29, and 2 more inches from 1200-1800 PST on 12/29.

Heavy Snow, Modoc County

When
December 29, 6:45 PM PST
Where
Modoc County forecast zone
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
41.590, -120.725 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Spotter MO15 in Lookout reported 10 inches of snow in 24 hours.

What these are

Heavy Snow
Snowfall reaching the local warning threshold without the other hazards of a winter storm.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in California in 2003Every state in 2003This day in weather historyWarnings in California, December 2003

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: 5331951, 5331949, 5332442, 5332443, 5328343, 5328344, 5328345, 5332444, 5332445, 5332447, 5332448, 5332446, 5328212, 5328214, 5328213, 5328215, 5331950, 5331937, 5331938, 5331939, 5331940, 5332340, 5331941, 5331942, 5331943, 5331944, 5331945, 5331946, 5328346, 5331948, 5328347, 5332441, 5331947.