A wind event from November 30, 2011 to December 2, 2011 caused damage and one fatality across the San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas. The fatality occurred on November 30, 2011.
Every event with a place to put it; 9 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS MTR wrote it up.
A wind event from November 30, 2011 to December 2, 2011 caused damage and one fatality across the San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas. The fatality occurred on November 30, 2011. Wind damage occurred from November 30, 2011 through December 2, 2011.
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 San Francisco Bay Area, CA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Nov 30, 9:54 AM PST, 6 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
954 AM PST WED NOV 30 2011
.DISCUSSION...AS OF 9:30 AM PST WEDNESDAY...THE DENSE FOG ADVISORY
HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO EXPIRE. THERE ARE STILL A FEW PATCHES OF
LOCALLY DENSE FOG...HOWEVER...THOSE PATCHES WILL BE DISSIPATING
SHORTLY.
HIGH WIND WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF THE SAN
FRANCISCO BAY AREA. A WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR THE LOWER
ELEVATIONS OF THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA. A WIND ADVISORY IS ALSO
IN EFFECT FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF MONTEREY AND SAN BENITO COUNTIES.
FOR DETAILS CONCERNING THE HIGH WIND WARNING AND WIND ADVISORY
PLEASE SEE SFONPWMTR (OR WWUS76 KMTR).
DRY COLD FRONT HAS MOVES ACROSS THE DISTRICT WITH THE WINDS IN THE
HILLS PICKING UP FROM THE NORTH TO NORTHEAST. RAWS SITES INDC THAT THE
STRONGEST WINDS SO FAR ARE IN THE EAST BAY HILLS...HOWEVER THE
NORTH BAY MOUNTAINS ARE GUSTING OVER 20 MPH AND THE SANTA CRUZ
MOUNTAINS ARE GUSTING OVER 20 MPH AS WELL. THE PRESSURE GRADIENT
PICTURE AT 17Z IS INDC A 7.8 MB NORTHERLY GRADIENT BETWEEN ARCATA-
SFO AND A 11.1 MB GRADIENT BETWEEN SFO-LAS VEGAS.
WINDS WILL INCREASE TODAY AS THE PRESSURE GRADIENT INCREASES FROM
THE NORTHERN GREAT BASIN TO THE COAST. IN ADDITION THERE WILL BE
GOOD LINKAGE TO THE MID AND UPPER LEVELS ALONG WITH STRONG COLD
AIR ADVECTION. THIS WILL ALLOW MOMENTUM TRANSFER OF THE WINDS TO
THE SURFACE.
IN THE WAKE OF THE COLD FRONT THAT IS PASSING ACROSS THE DISTRICT
SFC HIGH PRESSURE WILL BUILD IN THE NORTHERN GREAT BASIN. THE 12Z
NAM IS INDC A 1045 MB SFC HIGH IN SOUTHERN OREGON THURSDAY
MORNING. DID CONSIDER INCLUDING THE NORTHERN SALINAS VALLEY IN THE
WIND ADVISORY. HOWEVER...IT LOOKS LIKE ANY STRONG WINDS WILL BE
CONFINED TO THE HOLLISTER AREA...WHICH IS A NATURAL OUTLET FROM
PACHECO PASS WITH MOST OF THE ZONE REMAINING BELOW WIND ADVISORY
CRITERIA.
STRONG GUSTY WINDS WILL CONTINUE OVERNIGHT AND INTO THURSDAY
MORNING AS WELL...AS THE GRADIENTS REMAIN STRONG AND COLD AIR
ADVECTION CONTINUES. WINDS WILL DECREASE THURSDAY AFTN. HOWEVER
ITS POSSIBLE THAT ADVISORIES (IN LIEU OF WARNINGS) MAY NEED TO BE
EXTENDED FOR THE HILLS BEYOND 6 PM THURSDAY.
PREVIOUS EXTENDED...WE'VE BEEN FOCUSED ON FOG AND WIND FOR DAYS
NOW BUT WILL ALSO HAVE TO MONITOR COLD TEMPERATURES BY FRIDAY
MORNING FOR THE INTERIOR VALLEYS AND SOUTHERN MONTEREY COUNTY. THE
MOS GUIDANCE FOR PASO ROBLES ON FRIDAY MORNING IS 19 DEGREES!
(PREVIOUS RUN WAS 21). SO FROST/FREEZE WARNINGS WILL NEED TO BE
CONSIDERED FOR LATER FORECASTS BUT NEED TO GET RID OF THIS FOG
FIRST.
ECMWF AND NOW GFS BRING ANOTHER INSIDE SLIDER OVER THE WEEKEND
IMPLYING ANOTHER OFFSHORE WIND EVENT...THOUGH NOT AS STRONG.
OTHERWISE EXPECT SUNNY AND MILD AFTERNOONS AND CLEAR/COOL NIGHTS
THROUGH THE WEEKEND INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK. ACTIVE WIND PATTERN AND
LACK OF RAIN SHOULD PRECLUDE WIDESPREAD TULE FOG IN THE EXTENDED FORECAST.
7-10 DAY TRENDS SHOW STRONG WEST COAST RIDGE WITH NO RAIN IN THE FORECAST.
&&
.AVIATION...AS OF 5:30 AM PST WEDNESDAY...MANY STATIONS ACROSS THE
SFO BAY AREA ARE REPORTING VISIBILITIES NEAR 1/4 MILE. NORTHEAST WINDS
ARE STARTING TO INCREASE OVER THE HILLS THIS MORNING AND IT WILL
TAKE A FEW HOURS TO WORK ITS WAY TO THE SURFACE TO CLEAR OUT THE
FOG. SO DENSE FOG EXPECTED THROUGH 16Z WITH IMPROVEMENT TO 3 MILES
OR GREATER AFTER 16Z AND GOOD VISIBILITY AFTER 17Z. ONCE FOG
CLEARS OUT THE MAIN CONCERN BECOMES GUSTY NORTH WINDS OVER THE SFO
BAY AREA CAUSING LLWS UP TO 1500-2000 FEET. NORTH WINDS WILL
CONTINUE THROUGH TONIGHT INTO THURSDAY.
VICINITY OF KSFO...MOSTLY LIFR CONDITIONS THROUGH 15Z. VISIBILITY
SLOWLY IMPROVING AFTER 15Z BECOMING UNRESTRICTED AFTER 18-19Z.
NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASING TO 10-15 KT WITH GUSTS TO 20
KT AFTER 15Z. WINDS INCREASE AFTER 18Z TO 15-20 KT GUSTING TO 28
KT WITH LLWS 01035KT UP TO 1500 FEET.
KSFO BRIDGE APPROACH...MOSTLY LIFR CONDITIONS THROUGH 16Z. VISIBILITY
SLOWLY IMPROVING AFTER 16Z BECOMING UNRESTRICTED AFTER 18-19Z.
NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASING TO 10-15 KT WITH GUSTS TO 25 KT
AFTER 19Z.
MONTEREY BAY AREA TERMINALS...AREAS OF IFR/LIFR THROUGH 16Z. VFR
IS EXPECTED AFTER 17Z AS NORTH TO NORTHWEST WINDS INCREASE TO
10-15 KT.
&&
.MTR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
.TDAY...WIND ADVISORY...LOWER ELEVATIONS OF THE SAN FRANCISCO
BAY AREA
WIND ADVISORY...MOUNTAINS OF MONTEREY AND SAN BENITO
COUNTIES
HIGH WIND WARNING...NORTH AND EAST BAY HILLS
HIGH WIND WARNING...SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS
GLW...PT ARENA TO PT REYES 0-10 NM
GLW...PT REYES TO PIGEON PT 0-10 NM
GLW...PIGEON PT TO PT PINOS 0-10 NM
GLW...PT ARENA TO PIGEON PT 10-60 NM
GLW...PT PINOS TO PT PIEDRAS BLANCAS 0-10 NM
GLW...PIGEON PT TO PT PIEDRAS BLANCAS 10-60 NM
SCA...SF BAY
SCA...MRY BAY
&&
PUBLIC FORECAST: STROBIN/RWW
AVIATION/MARINE: RILEY/W PIHAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA 519 AM PST WED NOV 30 2011 CAZ505-509-301700- COASTAL NORTH BAY...INCLUDING POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE- SAN FRANCISCO PENINSULA COAST- 519 AM PST WED NOV 30 2011 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE MARIN AND SONOMA COUNTY COAST AS WELL AS THE SAN MATEO COAST INCLUDING THE HIGHWAY 1 CORRIDOR. .DAY ONE...WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT A WIND ADVISORY GOES INTO EFFECT AT 9 AM THIS MORNING AND CONTINUES THROUGH 6 PM THURSDAY. * WIND ADVISORY.........PLEASE SEE WWUS76 KMTR FOR MORE DETAILS * .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY WIND ADVISORY CONTINUES THROUGH 6 PM THURSDAY. * WIND ADVISORY.........PLEASE SEE WWUS76 KMTR FOR MORE DETAILS * DRY AND SEASONABLE WEATHER IS THEN FORECAST FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS PER STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. CAZ006-506-508-510-513-301700- SAN FRANCISCO-NORTH BAY INTERIOR VALLEYS- SAN FRANCISCO BAY SHORELINE-EAST BAY INTERIOR VALLEYS- SANTA CLARA VALLEY...INCLUDING SAN JOSE- 519 AM PST WED NOV 30 2011 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE NORTH AND EAST BAY VALLEYS AS WELL AS THE SANTA CLARA VALLEY THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY SHORELINE COMMUNITIES AND DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO. .DAY ONE...WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT A DENSE FOG ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM THIS MORNING FOR WIDESPREAD DENSE FOG WITH VISIBILITY LESS THAN ONE QUARTER MILE. * DENSE FOG ADVISORY....PLEASE SEE WWUS76 KMTR FOR MORE DETAILS * A WIND ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TODAY THROUGH 6 PM THURSDAY FOR WIND GUSTS TO 45 MPH. * WIND ADVISORY.........PLEASE SEE WWUS76 KMTR FOR MORE DETAILS * .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY WIND ADVISORY CONTINUES THROUGH 6 PM THURSDAY. * WIND ADVISORY.........PLEASE SEE WWUS76 KMTR FOR MORE DETAILS * DRY AND SEASONABLE WEATHER IS THEN FORECAST FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS PER STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. CAZ507-511-512-301700- NORTH BAY MOUNTAINS-EAST BAY HILLS AND DIABLO RANGE- SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS- 519 AM PST WED NOV 30 2011 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE NORTH AND EAST BAY HILLS AS WELL AS THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS .DAY ONE...WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT A HIGH WIND WARNING GOES INTO EFFECT TODAY FOR SUSTAINED NORTHEAST WINDS OF 40 MPH WITH FREQUENT GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 55 MPH AND LOCAL GUSTS AS HIGH AS 70 MPH. * HIGH WIND WARNING......PLEASE SEE WWUS76 KMTR FOR MORE DETAILS * .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY THE HIGH WIND WARNING CONTINUES INTO THURSDAY MORNING FOR THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS AND THURSDAY AFTERNOON FOR THE NORTH AND EAST BAY HILLS. * HIGH WIND WARNING......PLEASE SEE WWUS76 KMTR FOR MORE DETAILS * DRY AND SEASONABLE WEATHER IS THEN FORECAST FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS PER STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. CAZ517-518-301700- SANTA LUCIA MOUNTAINS AND LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST- MOUNTAINS OF SAN BENITO AND INTERIOR MONTEREY COUNTY INCLUDING PINNACLES NATIONAL MONUMENT- 519 AM PST WED NOV 30 2011 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE HILLS ABOVE 1000 FEET IN MONTEREY AND SAN BENITO COUNTY .DAY ONE...WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT A WIND ADVISORY GOES INTO EFFECT AT 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON FOR NORTHEAST WIND GUSTS UP TO 45 MPH. * WIND ADVISORY.........PLEASE SEE WWUS76 KMTR FOR MORE DETAILS * .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY WIND ADVISORY CONTINUES THROUGH NOON THURSDAY. * WIND ADVISORY.........PLEASE SEE WWUS76 KMTR FOR MORE DETAILS * DRY AND SEASONABLE WEATHER IS THEN FORECAST FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS PER STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
6 strong wind, 3 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
High winds snapped a power pole on Old Redwood Highway in the Larkfield area north of Santa Rosa.
Strong winds toppled a tree across the northbound lanes of US 101 near SR 237 in Sunnyvale.
Winds gusted to 70 mph in the Santa Cruz Mountains downing trees and power lines. This included a critical transmission line near Castle Rock State Park.
A 35 year-old male wildlife biologist of Big Sur was killed by a falling tree during high winds. The tree toppled over at 1450PST Wednesday, November 30, 2011 near North Coast Road at mile marker 16.
Strong winds knocked down trees and downed power lines in Corralitos between 1500 and 1900PST. Falling trees also took down a transmission line in the Scotts Valley area.
About 190 customers lost power when strong winds knocked a wire down around 1840PST near Hagan Road and Olive Hill Lane in Napa.
Strong winds toppled trees and a few power lines across west Sonoma County.
Wind gusted to 54 mph at Chabot and 51 mph at Pt. San Pablo.
Two power outages in Alameda. At 2035PST winds knocked out power to around 3400 households and businesses. Gusty winds shook a branch loose from a tree near the intersection of Encinal Avenue and Walnut Street. The branch became entangled in the power lines, causing the outage. Power was restored at 2057PST.
A second outage occurred at 2230PST affecting 100 households and businesses. Power was restored at 2350PST.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Wind, Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest | 2011-11-30 | 35 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in California in 2011Every state in 2011This day in weather historyWarnings in California, November 2011
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: 353094, 353096, 353098, 353093, 353097, 353095, 353127, 353337, 353789.