California, 2017

Winter Storm and Heavy Rain in California, February 2 to 6, 2017

February 2 to 6, 2017 · NWS STO · 9 events in 4 counties and zones

Two wet storms brought heavy rain and some high mountain snow, along with gusty winds. The heavy rain in addition to the wet precipitation in January brought saturated ground and elevated reservoirs.

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

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
9

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 STO wrote it up.

Two wet storms brought heavy rain and some high mountain snow, along with gusty winds. The heavy rain in addition to the wet precipitation in January brought saturated ground and elevated reservoirs. Many roads, including significant highways such as Interstate 80 and Highway 49, were shut down due to mudslides. Other significant impacts include numerous accidents due to slippery roads from snow and rain.

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 Sacramento, CA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 2, 2:55 AM PST, 4 hours 5 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 2, 2:55 AM PST, 4 hours 5 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Sacramento CA
255 AM PST Thu Feb 2 2017

.Synopsis...
Wet pattern returns today with rain and mountain snow today and
Friday. Gusty winds Friday. Showers Saturday will be followed by
another round of heavier precipitation Late Sunday. Wet pattern
continuing through next week.

&&

.Discussion...
First in a series of Pacific frontal systems is now pushing on to
the coast bringing rain to the coast range. Ahead of this system a
shortwave disturbance is currently bringing light precipitation
from about Sacramento southward as it pivots to the northeast in
warm sector southwest flow. The initial front swings across norcal
today bringing heavier rain and mountain snow. Snow levels are
expected to be moderately high but low enough to impact Sierra
travel. The main upper low now centered near 39N 137 W will
quickly pivot another frontal band through norcal on Friday. This
system will also contain moderate rain and mountain snow with
moderately high snow levels but will also likely be a windier
system. Projected surface gradients from SAC to MFR top 10 mb on
Friday which should be sufficient to generate wind advisory winds
in the Sacramento valley and foothills. Have therefore issued a
wind advisory for this area for most of Friday. Upper shortwave
passes through norcal Friday afternoon bringing enough instability
for a threat of thunderstorms especially to the northern
Sacramento valley. NAM and GFS both showing low level shear so
worth watching models for severe thunderstorm potential Friday
afternoon. Flat, moist southwest flow continues on Saturday for a
continued shower threat during the day Saturday. Sunday could
start out dry but next Pacific system moves quickly to the coast
by Sunday afternoon. Moderate precipitation is likely to return to
Norcal by Sunday night with another round of moderately strong
winds.

&&
.EXTENDED DISCUSSION (Monday THROUGH Thursday)

Models showing wet weather continuing Monday through Thursday of
next week. Pacific cold front moves through Monday followed by
overrunning warm frontal precip Tuesday into Wednesday. Another
strong cold front moves through Thursday into Friday. Snow levels
expected around 5000 to 6000 feet Monday, rising Tuesday into
Thursday above pass levels. Gusty wind at times can be expected
through the extended forecast period with high temperatures
slightly above normal beyond Monday.

&&

.AVIATION...

Low pres sys apchs Intr NorCal with assocd fntl sys movg thru. For
Intr NorCal wdsprd MVFR/IFR nxt 24 hrs with lcl LIFR ovr Wrn
Plumas/Siernev fthls/mtns. In Cntrl Vly, areas SEly sfc wnd gsts
to 25 kts aft 06z Thu.

&&

.STO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Winter Storm Warning until 4 AM PST Saturday for West Slope
Northern Sierra Nevada-Western Plumas County/Lassen Park.

Wind Advisory from 4 AM to 10 PM PST Friday for Central
Sacramento Valley-Northeast Foothills/Sacramento Valley-Northern
Sacramento Valley-Southern Sacramento Valley.

&&

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

8 heavy rain, 1 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Rain, El Dorado

When
February 2, 7:00 AM PST to February 3, 7:27 AM PST
Where
El Dorado County, 3.77 mi E of Kyburz
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
38.780, -120.230

There were 0.35 of rain measured over 24 hours.

Heavy Rain, El Dorado

When
February 2, 7:00 AM PST to February 3, 7:27 AM PST
Where
El Dorado County, 0.69 mi S of Pacific
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
38.760, -120.500

There were 0.34 of rain measured over 24 hours.

Heavy Rain, Shasta

When
February 2, 7:00 AM PST to February 3, 7:56 AM PST
Where
Shasta County, 1.71 mi WNW of Sims
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.060, -122.360

There were 1.98 of rain measured over 24 hours.

Heavy Rain, El Dorado

When
February 3, 7:00 AM PST to February 4, 7:09 AM PST
Where
El Dorado County, 3.77 mi E of Kyburz
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
38.780, -120.230

There were 1.36 of rain measured over 24 hours.

Winter Storm, West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada

When
February 3, 7:00 AM PST to February 4, 7:00 AM PST
Where
West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada forecast zone
Reported by
Department of Highways

Caltrans measured 21 of new snow at Soda Springs. Alpine Ski Resort had 20, Sierra at Tahoe 14, Boreal 12. Snow caused travel difficulties on I80.

Heavy Rain, El Dorado

When
February 5, 7:00 AM PST to February 6, 7:19 AM PST
Where
El Dorado County, 3.77 mi E of Kyburz
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
38.780, -120.230

There were 0.84 of rain measured over 24 hours.

Heavy Rain, El Dorado

When
February 5, 7:00 AM PST to February 6, 7:09 AM PST
Where
El Dorado County, 3.77 mi E of Kyburz
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
38.780, -120.230

There were 1.23 of rain measured over 24 hours at Pacific House.

Heavy Rain, Shasta

When
February 6, 7:00 AM PST to 7:19 AM PST
Where
Shasta County, 1.71 mi WNW of Sims
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
41.060, -122.360

There were 1.84 of rain measured over 24 hours.

Heavy Rain, Butte

When
February 6, 3:00 PM PST to 3:16 PM PST
Where
Butte County, 0.53 mi W of Villa Verona
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
39.480, -121.540

There were 1.00 measured over 24 hours, 1.55 at Kelly Ridge, 1.73 at Oroville Dam.

What these are

Heavy Rain
Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
Winter Storm
A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in California in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in California, February 2017

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: 682181, 682182, 682183, 682184, 682193, 682186, 682189, 682187, 682188.