California, 2011High Wind and Strong Wind in California, October 5 to 6, 2011
October 5 to 6, 2011 · NWS SGX · 3 events in 3 counties and zones
A large upper-level low pressure system brought a strong cold front through southern California the 4th through the 6th, providing widespread moderate rain, well below normal temperatures and strong gusty winds. Most areas west of the mountains received 3/4 - 1 1/2 inches of rain, with higher amounts of 2 inches or more in the mountains and coastal slopes.
Every event with a place to put it; 3 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
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Property damage
- $50,000
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 3
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.
A large upper-level low pressure system brought a strong cold front through southern California the 4th through the 6th, providing widespread moderate rain, well below normal temperatures and strong gusty winds. Most areas west of the mountains received 3/4 - 1 1/2 inches of rain, with higher amounts of 2 inches or more in the mountains and coastal slopes. This storm packed the highest rainfall totals for mountain locations like Idyllwild since 2004. Light amounts of snow were also seen at the highest elevations. Strong winds also led to downed power lines and overturned vehicles in Lucerne Valley.
High Wind, San Bernardino County Mountains
- When
- October 5, 12:00 AM PST to October 6, 12:00 AM PST
- Where
- San Bernardino County Mountains forecast zone
- Measured
- 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- RAWS
- Coordinates
- 34.841, -116.178 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
High winds began at the Burns Canyon RAWS between 1000 and 1100 PST and ended between 2000 and 2100 PST. During this time, a wind gust of 65 mph was recorded between 1100 and 1200 PST and a gust of 68 mph was recorded between 1900 and 2000 PST.
Strong Wind, Apple and Lucerne Valleys
- When
- October 5, 7:00 AM PST to 5:00 PM PST
- Where
- Apple and Lucerne Valleys forecast zone
- Measured
- 48 kt (55 mph) estimated gust
- Injuries
- 3 direct, 0 indirect
- Property damage
- $50,000
- Reported by
- Newspaper
- Coordinates
- 34.841, -116.178 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Strong winds forced a big rig with an empty trailer into oncoming traffic on Highway 18 near Rabbit Springs Road in Lucerne Valley, causing an accident involving three vehicles. Three people were injured in the accident. Exact wind speed at the time of the incident is unknown.
Strong winds also downed power lines in Lucerne Valley during this time.
High Wind, San Diego County Mountains
- When
- October 5, 2:00 PM PST to 6:00 PM PST
- Where
- San Diego County Mountains forecast zone
- Measured
- 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- RAWS
- Coordinates
- 33.028, -116.770 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Strong winds began at the Harrison Park RAWS between 1400 and 1500 PST and ended between 1700 and 1800 PST. During this time, high winds were reached with a gust of 59 mph between 1610 and 1620 PST.
- High Wind
- Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
- Strong Wind
- Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
- Winter Storm and Heavy Rain in California, October 5 to 6, 2011$100,000 · 3 events
- Lightning Strike in Oregon, October 5, 20111 injured · 1 event
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Colorado, October 5 to 7, 20119 events
- Winter Storm and High Wind in Utah, October 5 to 7, 201163 kt wind · 8 events
- Heavy Snow in Nevada, October 5 to 6, 20115 events
- Heavy Rain in Idaho, October 5 to 6, 20114 events
- Hail and Damaging Wind in Texas, October 5, 2011$10,000 · 55 kt wind · 3 events
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Utah, October 5 to 6, 20113 events
- Lightning Strike and Strong Wind in California, October 5 to 6, 2011$4,000 · 2 events
- Wildfire in Minnesota, October 5 to 6, 2011$10,000 · 2 events
- Strong Wind in California, October 5, 2011$2,000 · 1 event
- Wildfire in Minnesota, October 5 to 11, 20111 event
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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 350445, 350446, 350447.