Winter Storm and Hail in California, January 28 to 31, 2016

Name: Winter Storm and Hail in California, January 28 to 31, 2016
Start: 2016-01-28T04:53
End: 2016-01-31T23:59
Location: California

January 28 to 31, 2016 · NWS HNX · 36 events in 10 counties and zones

A good fetch of tropical moisture surged into the area during the last weekend of January. Though, this was not the only impact during the later part of January as fog was also in play.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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: 1
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 36

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 HNX wrote it up.

A good fetch of tropical moisture surged into the area during the last weekend of January. Though, this was not the only impact during the later part of January as fog was also in play. In fact, the Thursday prior to the arrival of the moisture had enough of a break in activity for fog development.

Then on Friday rain and snow showers began to fall, though snow levels where initially fairly high. The snow levels did fall throughout the event to nearly 3,000 feet above sea level. This first upper level system ejected out of the area early on Saturday morning, which resulted in severe wind gusts across Kern County.

Also on Saturday, due to a break in activity again the area experienced dense fog development. The showers resumed again on Sunday prior to the system ejecting out of the area. However, as the system ejected it increased the pressure gradient across Kern County, which resulted in severe wind gust into the evening Sunday.

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 Hanford, CA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 28, 3:27 AM PST, 1 hour 26 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 28, 3:27 AM PST, 1 hour 26 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - HANFORD CA
327 AM PST THU JAN 28 2016

.SYNOPSIS...DRY WEATHER WILL CONTINUE OVER THE REGION THROUGH
TONIGHT. A STORM SYSTEM WILL APPROACH FROM THE NORTH ON FRIDAY AND
BRING A CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION TO MAINLY FRESNO COUNTY NORTHWARD
FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT. THE STORM WILL BRING SNOW TO THE
MOUNTAINS AND RAIN IN THE LOWER ELEVATIONS THIS WEEKEND WITH THE
POSSIBILITY OF ISOLATED AFTERNOON THUNDERSTORMS IN THE SAN JOAQUIN
VALLEY AND FOOTHILLS SUNDAY.

&&

.DISCUSSION...THE WEAK UPPER LOW THAT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
HIGH CLOUDS OVER OUR AREA YDAY...IS CURRENTLY PUSHING THROUGH
SOCAL AND SKIES HAVE CLEARED OUT ACROSS OUR AREA. AS A RESULT OF
THE CLEARING...FOG HAS FORMED ALONG NEAR THE HIGHWAY 99 CORRIDOR
FROM DELANO NORTHWARD IN THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY...BUT ONLY
PATCHES OF DENSE FOG HAVE BEEN OBSERVED SO FAR. AT THIS
TIME...HAVE DECIDED TO WAIT AND SEE IF DENSE FOG BECOMES MORE
PREVALENT BEFORE ANY ISSUANCE OF A DENSE FOG ADVISORY BECOMES
NECESSARY. OTHERWISE...A MOSTLY SUNNY AND MILD DAY IS EXPECTED
ACROSS OUR AREA TODAY AS WE REMAIN UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF HIGH
PRESSURE OVER THE GREAT BASIN.

MEANWHILE...A DEEP MOISTURE FETCH THAT EXTENDS TO NEAR 170W IS
BEING PULLED UP BY A STRONG UPPER LOW IN THE GULF OF AK AND IS
SPREADING INTO THE PAC NW. THIS MOISTURE BAND IS EXPECTED TO SAG
SOUTHWARD LATER TODAY AND TONIGHT AND BRING A CHANCE OF
PRECIPITATION TO FRESNO COUNTY NORTHWARD BY FRIDAY MORNING. THE
SREF IS INDICATING THAT THE MOISTURE BAND WILL SPREAD SLOWLY
SOUTHWARD THROUGH THE WEEKEND WHILE A WESTERLY 150KT 250 JET MAX
TAKES AIM AT CENTRAL CA. THIS WILL PROVIDE FOR ENOUGH DEEP
MOISTURE AND DYNAMICS FOR A SIGNIFICANT PRECIPITATION EVENT ACROSS
OUR AREA FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH THE WEEKEND WITH THE SOUTHERN SIERRA
NEVADA BEING OROGRAPHICALLY FAVORED. A WINTER STORM WATCH
CONTINUES FROM MIDDAY FRIDAY THROUGH LATE SUNDAY NIGHT FOR THE
SOUTHERN SIERRA NEVADA FROM YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK SOUTHWARD TO
BORDER BETWEEN TULARE AND KERN COUNTIES. SNOW LEVELS WILL BE ABOVE
9000 FEET AT THE ONSET OF PRECIPITATION ON FRIDAY...BUT WILL LOWER
TO 7500 TO 8000 FEET BY SATURDAY MORNING DURING WHILE THE BULK OF
PRECIPITATION IS OCCURRING...THE LOWER TO BELOW 3000 FEET BY
SUNDAY AS A DEEP UPPER TROUGH MOVES INTO CA.

AT THIS TIME...IT IS STILL DIFFICULT TO PINPOINT ANTICIPATED
PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS...BUT QPF PROGS ARE INDICATING 1 TO 3 INCHES
OF LIQUID PRECIPITATION OVER THE SOUTHERN SIERRA NEVADA WHILE THE
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY WILL RECEIVE A QUARTER TO HALF AND INCH OF
RAINFALL AS STRONG RAIN SHADOWING IS EXPECTED WITH A WESTERLY FLOW
PREVAILING ALOFT. HEAVY SNOWFALL IS POSSIBLE IN THE SOUTHERN
SIERRA NEVADA OVER THE WEEKEND HOWEVER...MOST NOTICEABLY OVER THE
HIGHER ELEVATIONS WHERE 18 TO 30 INCHES OF NEW SNOW ARE POSSIBLE
ABOVE 8000 FEET. THERE IS STILL SOME UNCERTAINTY ON HOW MUCH
SNOWFALL WILL IMPACT TRAVEL IN THE FOOTHILLS AND THE KERN COUNTY
MOUNTAINS AS THERE ARE SOME SIGNIFICANT TIMING DIFFERENCES IN THE
MODELS WITH THE ARRIVAL OF THE COLDER AIRMASS THIS WEEKEND. IF
ENOUGH CLEARING OCCURS IN THE COLDER POST-FRONTAL AIRMASS ON
SUNDAY...THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE IN THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
AND LOWER SIERRA FOOTHILLS DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING HOURS.

THE MEDIUM RANGE MODELS INDICATE THE COLD TROUGH WILL MOVE EAST
OF OUR AREA BY MONDAY WITH AN UPPER RIDGE AMPLIFYING OFF THE COAST
EARLY NEXT WEEK THEN BUILDING INLAND TOWARD THE MIDDLE OF NEXT
WEEK. THE ECMWF IS INDICATING THE RIDGE BUILDS DOWN NEXT THURSDAY
WITH A NEGATIVELY TILTED TROUGH PUSHING INTO CA BY THURSDAY WHILE
THE GFS KEEPS THE RIDGE INTACT THROUGH THE END OF NEXT WEEK. THE
ENSEMBLE MEANS ARE FAVORING THE GFS SOLUTION FOR NOW SO AM
TRENDING THE FORECAST FOR NEXT WEEK IN THAT DIRECTION WITH MAINLY
DRY CONDITIONS AND TEMEPRATURES RECOVERING TO NEAR SEASONAL
NORMALS.

&&

.AVIATION...AREAS OF MVFR AND LOCAL IFR IN MIST/FOG UNTIL 18Z
THURSDAY IN THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY. OTHERWISE...VFR CONDITIONS
WILL PREVAIL ACROSS THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA INTERIOR OVER THE NEXT
24 HOURS.

&&

.AIR QUALITY ISSUES...ON THURSDAY JANUARY 28 2016...
FIREPLACE/WOOD STOVE BURNING STATUS IS: NO BURNING UNLESS
REGISTERED IN FRESNO... KERN... KINGS AND TULARE COUNTIES. FURTHER
INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT VALLEYAIR.ORG

&&

.CERTAINTY...

THE LEVEL OF CERTAINTY FOR DAYS 1 AND 2 IS MEDIUM.
THE LEVEL OF CERTAINTY FOR DAYS 3 THROUGH 7 IS MEDIUM.

CERTAINTY LEVELS INCLUDE LOW...MEDIUM...AND HIGH. PLEASE VISIT
WWW.WEATHER.GOV/HNX/CERTAINTY.PHP /ALL LOWER CASE/ FOR ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION AND/OR TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK.

&&

.CLIMATE...
             RECORDS
SITE DATE    HI_MAX:YEAR LO_MAX:YEAR HI_MIN:YEAR LO_MIN:YEAR

KFAT 01-28       78:1986     41:1963     50:2003     23:1975
KFAT 01-29       73:1960     43:2002     55:1911     24:1902
KFAT 01-30       74:1984     41:1923     56:1911     25:1946

KBFL 01-28       77:1988     47:1957     52:1981     27:1957
KBFL 01-29       74:1986     42:2002     54:1986     27:1903
KBFL 01-30       77:1911     44:1951     54:1914     23:1902
&&

.HNX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WINTER STORM WATCH FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE SUNDAY
NIGHT CAZ096-097.

&&

PUBLIC...DS
AVN/FW...BEAN
SYNOPSIS...DS

WEATHER.GOV/HANFORD

Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 28, 4:16 AM PST, 37 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - HANFORD CA
416 AM PST THU JAN 28 2016

CAZ089>094-291230-
WEST CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY-EAST CENTRAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY-
SOUTHWESTERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY-SOUTHEASTERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY-
MARIPOSA MADERA AND FRESNO COUNTY FOOTHILLS-
TULARE COUNTY FOOTHILLS-
416 AM PST THU JAN 28 2016

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AND ADJACENT FOOTHILLS OF THE SOUTHERN SIERRA
NEVADA.

...SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS SUNDAY...

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

* TIMING: SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN SAN JOAQUIN
  VALLEY...INCLUDING THE CITIES OF FRESNO...BAKERSFIELD...
  VISALIA...HANFORD...MERCED...AND MADERA.

* IMPACTS: THUNDERSTORMS CAN CAUSE BRIEF PERIODS OF HEAVY
  RAIN...DANGEROUS LIGHTNING...AND SMALL HAIL.

* STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...OR YOUR FAVORITE NEWS
  SOURCE...FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NECESSARY FOR THIS HAZARDOUS
WEATHER OUTLOOK.

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT ANY SIGNIFICANT OR
UNUSUAL CONDITIONS TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

CAZ095-291230-
KERN COUNTY MOUNTAINS-
416 AM PST THU JAN 28 2016

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE KERN COUNTY MOUNTAINS.

...WINTRY WEATHER POSSIBLE BY SUNDAY...

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER EXPECTED.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: UP TO 1 INCH ACCUMULATION POSSIBLE OVER THE
  PASSES. 4-7 INCHES POSSIBLE ABOVE 7000 FEET.

* ELEVATION: SNOW LEVELS AROUND 5000 FEET SUNDAY LOWERING BELOW
  4000 FEET BY MONDAY.

* WINDS: WESTERLY WINDS 20 TO 30 MPH GUSTING AROUND 50 MPH.

* TIMING: SNOW ACCUMULATIONS BEGINNING SUNDAY EVENING AND
  CONTINUING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: MOUNTAIN PASSES INCLUDING THE
  GRAPEVINE...TEHACHAPI PASS AND WALKER PASS.

* IMPACTS: DIFFICULT TRAVEL CONDITIONS DUE TO SNOW COVERED AND
  ICE COVERED ROADS. POSSIBLE ROAD CLOSURES AND TRAVEL DELAYS.

* STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...OR YOUR FAVORITE NEWS
  SOURCE...FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT ANTICIPATED.

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT ANY SIGNIFICANT OR
UNUSUAL CONDITIONS TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

CAZ098-099-291230-
INDIAN WELLS VALLEY-SOUTHEASTERN KERN COUNTY DESERT-
416 AM PST THU JAN 28 2016

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE KERN COUNTY DESERT.

...STRONG GUSTY WINDS POSSIBLE FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY...

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER EXPECTED.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

* WINDS: WEST 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS AROUND 55 MPH.

* TIMING: WINDS INCREASING FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND CONTINUING INTO
  SATURDAY AFTERNOON. WINDS INCREASING AGAIN SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
  MONDAY.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: THE CITY OF MOJAVE AS WELL AS HIGHWAY 58...HIGHWAY
  14...AND HIGHWAY 178.

* IMPACTS: STRONG WINDS WILL IMPAIR DRIVING ABILITY AND VEHICLE
  CONTROL...ESPECIALLY FOR CAMPERS AND TRACTOR TRAILERS.

* STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...OR YOUR FAVORITE NEWS
  SOURCE...FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT ANTICIPATED.

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT ANY SIGNIFICANT OR
UNUSUAL CONDITIONS TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

CAZ096-097-291230-
SIERRA NEVADA FROM YOSEMITE TO KINGS CANYON-
TULARE COUNTY MOUNTAINS-
416 AM PST THU JAN 28 2016

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF
THE SOUTHERN SIERRA NEVADA.

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
LATE SUNDAY NIGHT...

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER EXPECTED.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY

A WINTER STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR FRIDAY THROUGH LATE SUNDAY
NIGHT. PLEASE REFER TO PRODUCT SFOWSWHNX.

* STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...OR YOUR FAVORITE NEWS
  SOURCE...FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT ANTICIPATED.

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT ANY SIGNIFICANT OR
UNUSUAL CONDITIONS TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

The radar

The San Joaquin Valley radar (KHNX), 61 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 04:59 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

12 dense fog, 12 high wind, 11 winter storm, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Dense Fog, Sw S.J. Valley

When: January 28, 4:53 AM PST to 11:30 AM PST
Where: Sw S.J. Valley forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS

KHJO reported less than a 1/4 mile visibility.

Dense Fog, Sw S.J. Valley

When: January 28, 6:08 AM PST to 11:30 AM PST
Where: Sw S.J. Valley forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS

KNLC reported less than a 1/4 mile visibility.

Dense Fog, W Central S.J. Valley

When: January 28, 6:20 AM PST to 11:30 AM PST
Where: W Central S.J. Valley forecast zone
Reported by: Public

Several school districts delayed buses due to dense fog.

Dense Fog, Sw S.J. Valley

When: January 28, 6:25 AM PST to 11:30 AM PST
Where: Sw S.J. Valley forecast zone
Reported by: Law Enforcement

California Highway Patrol reported dense fog along State Road 41 and Quail north of Kettleman City.

Dense Fog, Sw S.J. Valley

When: January 28, 6:30 AM PST to 11:30 AM PST
Where: Sw S.J. Valley forecast zone
Reported by: Public

Several school districts delayed buses due to dense fog.

Dense Fog, E Central S.J. Valley

When: January 28, 6:45 AM PST to 11:30 AM PST
Where: E Central S.J. Valley forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS

KMER reported 1/8 mile visibility.

Dense Fog, Sw S.J. Valley

When: January 28, 8:00 AM PST to 9:00 AM PST
Where: Sw S.J. Valley forecast zone
Injuries: 0 direct, 1 indirect
Reported by: Newspaper

A semi-truck driving eastbound on Highway 198 making a left turn in the fog was struck by a sedan. The driver suffered moderate injuries. This was one of four crashes that occurred near the city of Hanford, though other crashes did not have any injuries reported.

Dense Fog, Sw S.J. Valley

When: January 29, 12:53 AM PST to 9:30 AM PST
Where: Sw S.J. Valley forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS

KHJO reported less than a 1/4 mile visibility.

Dense Fog, Se S.J. Valley

When: January 29, 4:56 AM PST to 9:30 AM PST
Where: Se S.J. Valley forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS

KVIS reported less than a 1/4 mile visibility.

Dense Fog, Sw S.J. Valley

When: January 29, 5:16 AM PST to 9:30 AM PST
Where: Sw S.J. Valley forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS

KNLC reported less than a 1/4 mile visibility.

Dense Fog, W Central S.J. Valley

When: January 29, 6:30 AM PST to 9:30 AM PST
Where: W Central S.J. Valley forecast zone
Reported by: Public

Several school districts delayed buses due to dense fog.

Dense Fog, E Central S.J. Valley

When: January 29, 6:30 AM PST to 9:30 AM PST
Where: E Central S.J. Valley forecast zone
Reported by: Public

Several school districts delayed buses due to dense fog.

Winter Storm, S Sierra Mtns

When: January 29, 12:00 PM PST to January 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: S Sierra Mtns forecast zone
Reported by: Public

Lake Wishon reported 29 inches of snowfall.

Winter Storm, S Sierra Mtns

When: January 29, 12:00 PM PST to January 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: S Sierra Mtns forecast zone
Reported by: Public

Lake Thomas reported 30 inches of snowfall.

Winter Storm, S Sierra Mtns

When: January 29, 12:00 PM PST to January 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: S Sierra Mtns forecast zone
Reported by: Public

Florence Lake reported 27 inches of snowfall.

Winter Storm, S Sierra Mtns

When: January 29, 12:00 PM PST to January 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: S Sierra Mtns forecast zone
Reported by: Public

Devils Postpile reported 19 inches of snowfall.

Winter Storm, S Sierra Mtns

When: January 29, 12:00 PM PST to January 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: S Sierra Mtns forecast zone
Reported by: Public

Bass Lake reported 19 inches of snowfall.

Winter Storm, S Sierra Mtns

When: January 29, 12:00 PM PST to January 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: S Sierra Mtns forecast zone
Reported by: Public

Seven miles west-northwest of Florence Lake reported 26 inches of snowfall.

Winter Storm, S Sierra Mtns

When: January 29, 12:00 PM PST to January 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: S Sierra Mtns forecast zone
Reported by: Public

Huntington Lake reported 19 inches of snowfall.

Winter Storm, Tulare Cty Mtns

When: January 29, 12:00 PM PST to January 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Tulare Cty Mtns forecast zone
Reported by: Public

Grant Grove reported 27 inches of snowfall.

Winter Storm, Tulare Cty Mtns

When: January 29, 12:00 PM PST to January 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Tulare Cty Mtns forecast zone
Reported by: Public

Camp Nelson reported 18 inches of snowfall.

Winter Storm, Tulare Cty Mtns

When: January 29, 12:00 PM PST to January 31, 11:59 PM PST
Where: Tulare Cty Mtns forecast zone
Reported by: Public

Lodgepole reported 25 inches of snowfall.

High Wind, Kern Cty Mtns

When: January 30, 5:27 AM PST to 9:00 PM PST
Where: Kern Cty Mtns forecast zone
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS

Bird Springs Pass Raws experienced a severe gust.

High Wind, Indian Wells Vly

When: January 30, 6:55 AM PST to 9:00 PM PST
Where: Indian Wells Vly forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS

AWOS station in Inyokern reported a severe gust. At 0627, California Highway Patrol reported closer of Highway 14 at the intersection of 395 and 178.

High Wind, Indian Wells Vly

When: January 30, 7:12 AM PST to 9:00 PM PST
Where: Indian Wells Vly forecast zone
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS

KNID reported a severe gust.

High Wind, Kern Cty Mtns

When: January 30, 10:14 AM PST to 9:00 PM PST
Where: Kern Cty Mtns forecast zone
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS

Jawbone Canyon RAWS experienced a severe gust.

High Wind, Indian Wells Vly

When: January 30, 10:26 AM PST to 9:00 PM PST
Where: Indian Wells Vly forecast zone
Measured: 79 kt (91 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS

Indian Wells Canyon RAWS experienced a severe gust.

High Wind, Indian Wells Vly

When: January 30, 11:31 AM PST to 9:00 PM PST
Where: Indian Wells Vly forecast zone
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet

APRS station at Ridgecrest City Hall reported a severe gust.

High Wind, Kern Cty Mtns

When: January 30, 4:32 PM PST to 9:00 PM PST
Where: Kern Cty Mtns forecast zone
Measured: 69 kt (79 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS

Blue Max Raws experienced a severe gust.

Winter Storm, Kern Cty Mtns

When: January 31, 4:00 AM PST to 6:00 AM PST
Where: Kern Cty Mtns forecast zone
Reported by: Public

Multiple school delays and closures due to overnight snow accumulations. The snowfall and ice from previous days rainfall closed interstate 5 south of Grapevine.

High Wind, Se Kern Cty Desert

When: January 31, 3:40 PM PST to 11:59 PM PST
Where: Se Kern Cty Desert forecast zone
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station near Rosamond reported a severe gust.

High Wind, Kern Cty Mtns

When: January 31, 8:40 PM PST to 11:59 PM PST
Where: Kern Cty Mtns forecast zone
Measured: 62 kt (71 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station near Mojave Warren Siding reported a severe gust.

Hail, Tulare

When: January 31, 9:00 PM PST to 9:30 PM PST
Where: Tulare County, 0.52 mi W of Porterville
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 36.070, -119.029

High Wind, Kern Cty Mtns

When: January 31, 9:04 PM PST to 11:59 PM PST
Where: Kern Cty Mtns forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet

APRS station near Mojave reported a severe gust.

High Wind, Kern Cty Mtns

When: January 31, 10:00 PM PST to 11:59 PM PST
Where: Kern Cty Mtns forecast zone
Measured: 68 kt (78 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS

Station near Mojave reported a severe gust.

High Wind, Kern Cty Mtns

When: January 31, 10:00 PM PST to 11:59 PM PST
Where: Kern Cty Mtns forecast zone
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet

Mesonet station near Mojave reported a severe gust.

What these are

Dense Fog: Fog reducing visibility to a quarter mile or less, filed where it caused accidents or disruption.
Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in California in 2016 Every state in 2016 This day in weather history Warnings in California, January 2016

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: 617047, 617048, 617045, 617049, 617050, 617046, 617151, 617060, 617062, 617061, 617058, 617059, 617034, 617035, 617036, 617037, 617038, 617039, 617040, 617042, 617043, 617044, 617051, 617055, 617056, 617053, 617054, 617057, 617052, 617068, 617073, 617069, 617074, 617070, 617071, 617072.