Flooding and Strong Wind in California, February 27 to 28, 2017

Name: Flooding and Strong Wind in California, February 27 to 28, 2017
Start: 2017-02-27T12:00
End: 2017-02-28T13:00
Location: California

February 27 to 28, 2017 · NWS SGX · 12 events in 4 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 2 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: $5.5 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 12

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 SGX wrote it up.

An east west oriented atmospheric river impacted San Diego County and northern Baja on the 27th and 28th of February, resulting in a prolonged period of moderate to heavy rain. Rainfall totals of 6-9 inches along the coastal slopes, 3-5 inches in the valleys and 2-4 inches in coastal areas were reported in San Diego County, all within a 24 hour period. Elsewhere rainfall was significantly lighter. Widespread street, small stream, and river flooding resulted. Roadways were flooded and numerous swift water rescued occurred along the San Diego River which crested at 14.15 ft just after midnight. There were a dozen night time high water rescues and an evacuation of 45 persons from a hotel surrounding by moving water. This was the third highest crest on record. Flooding and tree damage also cut power to several thousand customers in San Diego County. Traffic collision for the day were 5 times their usual rate.

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 San Diego, CA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 27, 9:59 AM PST, 2 hours 1 minute earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 27, 9:59 AM PST, 2 hours 1 minute before

Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service San Diego CA
959 AM PST Mon Feb 27 2017

UPDATED TO ADD SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR THE INNER WATERS TODAY

.SYNOPSIS...
a low pressure trough aloft will pull a deep Pacific moist layer
across portions of Southern California today into tonight creating
widespread moderate to locally heavy rainfall. The heaviest
rainfall potential exists for San Diego County. Some snow will fall
on the higher mountain peaks as well. Strong westerly winds will
accompany the rain and snow in the higher mountains. Slightly warmer
for Tuesday. Then dry with a warming trend for Wednesday through
Friday with periods of weak offshore flow. A little cooler for next
weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...FOR EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA INCLUDING ORANGE...
SAN DIEGO...WESTERN RIVERSIDE AND SOUTHWESTERN SAN BERNARDINO
COUNTIES...

...Moderate to heavy rainfall looking likely today for southern San
Diego County and across far northern Baja CA...

A flash Flood Watch is in effect through this evening for San Diego
County. Based on satellite imagery, the deep moisture plume remains
on track to move across the International Border area later today.
This will bring an extended period of moderate to heavy rainfall and
possible flooding. The greatest concern continues to be for the
areas of Southern San Diego County, including the Tijuana River
Valley.

Winds in the mountains this morning have been in the 25 to 35 MPH
range with peak gusts near 45 MPH. A Wind Advisory remain in
effect for the mountains through 10 AM Tuesday.

The 12Z Miramar sounding was saturated from the sfc through 13K FT
with a PW of 1.03 inch. Model projections keep San Diego County in
this plume exceeding one inch through 06Z, before moving south.

From previous discussion...

A trough of low pressure moving southward along the California
coast will draw moisture northward into far southern California
from a plume of subtropical moisture directed into northern Baja.
Lighter precipitation early this morning may intensify for late
this morning through early this evening with the most significant
rainfall across northern Baja extending northward into southern
and central San Diego County and possibly into western Riverside
County. Showers will decrease from the northwest late tonight and
end early Tuesday.

Greatest rainfall totals north of the border are expected across
southern and central San Diego County. Through tonight...rainfall
across central and southern San Diego County is expected to range
from around one inch near the coast to 2 to 3 inches in the
mountains with amounts decreasing towards the northwest.

Urban and small stream flooding is expected across portions of the
coastal...valley...and mountains areas below 5000 feet in San
Diego County with isolated flash flooding possible. The rainfall
could cause a rise in the San Diego River sufficient to flood low
water crossings through Fashion Valley for late this evening
through late tonight.

...Amended 1452Z...

Snow levels near 5400 feet early this morning...will rise to 6000
feet for this afternoon...then decrease to 4000-4500 feet late
tonight. A few inches of snowfall early this morning...with total
snowfall of 3 to 6 inches through late evening...with isolated
snowfall to 8 inches on the highest peaks.

Strengthening onshore flow will bring strong gusty west winds
in the mountains and the northern Coachella Valley into Tuesday
morning. Strongest winds are expected through late tonight with
west winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 55 mph...and with isolated
gusts to 65 mph at times in the most wind-prone areas. Strongest
winds are expected near mountain ridge tops onto the desert slopes
of the mountains and in the northern Coachella Valley below the
San Gorgonio Pass. The strongest gusts through 3 AM were 63 mph
at Whitewater in the northern Coachella Valley...and 62 mph at
Volcan Mountain in the San Diego County Mountains.

Continued cool today...then drying and slight warming for Tuesday.
For Wednesday through Friday...high pressure aloft off the
California coast and surface high pressure over the Great Basin
will bring dry weather with a warming trend with periods of weak
offshore flow. A little cooler with weak onshore flow for next
week with a return of coastal low clouds fog possible Saturday
night into Sunday morning.

&&

.AVIATION...
271640Z...Low CIGS in San Diego County through 03Z Tuesday with
OVC003-006 and vis 1-2 miles in rain and fog. Slightly higher CIGS
farther north in ORA, RIV and SBD Counties this morning with BKN-
OVC015-030, lowering to OVC010-020 this afternoon as rain spreads
north. Strong south winds 15-25kt at KSAN through 23Z with higher
gusts.

Mountains obscured in clouds/fog/pcpn. Strong winds in the mountains
and desert slopes with strong up/down drafts and llws over and east
of the mountains. Desert areas to have BKN-OVC030-060 with periods
of light rain. Vis mostly unrestricted.

&&

.MARINE...Updated
A Small Craft Advisory is in effect for the Inner Waters through 9
AM Tuesday. Strong south to southwest winds of 15-30 kt are likely
over the Inner Waters today ahead of a cold front. The winds will
shift westerly late this afternoon with the passage of the cold
front.

In the Outer Waters, a Small Craft Advisory will be in effect for
gusty northwest winds from 9 PM today through 9 AM Tuesday.

&&

.SKYWARN...
Skywarn activation is not requested. However weather spotters are
encouraged to report significant weather conditions.

&&

.SGX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...Winter Weather Advisory from 8 AM this morning to 10 PM PST this
     evening for Riverside County Mountains.

     Wind Advisory until 10 AM PST Tuesday for Riverside County
     Mountains-San Bernardino County Mountains-San Diego County
     Mountains-San Gorgonio Pass Near Banning.

     Flash Flood Watch from 8 AM PST this morning through this
     evening for San Diego County Coastal Areas-San Diego County
     Mountains-San Diego County Valleys.

PZ...Small Craft Advisory for winds from 9 PM this evening to 9 AM
     PST Tuesday for Waters from San Mateo point to the Mexican Border
     Extending 30 to 60 nm out including San Clemente Island.

     Small Craft Advisory until 9 AM PST Tuesday for Coastal Waters
     from San Mateo Point to the Mexican Border and out to 30 nm.

&&

PUBLIC...JAD/17
AVIATION/MARINE...Moede

In the hours before

Local storm report, Feb 27, 11:19 AM PST, 41 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN DIEGO CA
1119 AM PST MON FEB 27 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1055 AM     FLOOD            1 SW RAMONA             33.03N 116.88W
02/27/2017                   SAN DIEGO          CA   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            RAMONA ST / H ST SHUTTING DOWN THE ROAD DUE
            TO FLOODING.

&&

EMI

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

10 flood, 2 strong wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Strong Wind, San Diego County Coastal Areas

When: February 27, 12:00 PM PST to February 28, 4:00 AM PST
Where: San Diego County Coastal Areas forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $300,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 33.028, -116.770 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous large trees were reported down over the San Diego Metro. The downed trees blocked roadways and damaged several homes. Peak wind gusts in the region were near 35 mph. Saturated soils were likely a factor. Power outages to approximately 5,000 customers were also reported.

Flood, San Diego

When: February 27, 12:00 PM PST to 6:00 PM PST
Where: San Diego County, 2.37 mi WSW of Ramona Arpt to 2.18 mi N of Ramona
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 33.017, -116.938

Heavy rain produced multiple reports of roadway flooding in Ramona.

Strong Wind, San Diego County Valleys

When: February 27, 1:00 PM PST to 9:00 PM PST
Where: San Diego County Valleys forecast zone
Measured: 30 kt (35 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 33.028, -116.770 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A few trees were downed in El Cajon and Rancho San Diego. The fallen trees damaged an apartment complex and blocked roadways. Peak wind gusts were near 35 mph and saturated soils were the likely causes.

Flood, Orange

When: February 27, 1:00 PM PST to 5:00 PM PST
Where: Orange County, 65.07 mi SE of San Clemente to 65.12 mi SE of San Clemente
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 32.820, -116.753

Via Viejas road was flooded with a foot of water from Viejas Creek.

Flood, San Diego

When: February 27, 1:00 PM PST to February 28, 1:00 PM PST
Where: San Diego County, 0.51 mi SSW of Overlook to 1.64 mi S of Overlook
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $5.0 million
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 32.763, -117.203

Significant flooding occurred along the San Diego River in Mission Valley with the river cresting at 14.15 ft, the third highest stage all-time. Numerous roadways were closed, the Fashion Valley Mall parking structure was closed and the Fashion Valley Transit Center was closed to bus traffic. Numerous water rescues were conducted along the San Diego River including 20 people rescued from the Premier Inns Mission Valley. Many vehicles were also flooded and destroyed.

Flood, San Diego

When: February 27, 1:00 PM PST to February 28, 1:00 PM PST
Where: San Diego County, 0.79 mi ESE of San Ysidro to 1 mi SW of San Ysidro
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 32.544, -117.039

Flooding in the Tijuana River Valley impacted agricultural areas and led to roadway closures.

Flood, San Diego

When: February 27, 2:00 PM PST to 5:00 PM PST
Where: San Diego County, 3.49 mi WNW of Dulzura to 3.28 mi WNW of Dulzura
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 32.668, -116.826

California Highway Patrol reported 3 ft of water from Delzura Creek flowing over Highway 94.

Flood, San Diego

When: February 27, 3:30 PM PST to 4:30 PM PST
Where: San Diego County, 0.43 mi WNW of Sorrento to 0.18 mi NNW of Sorrento
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 32.903, -117.227

Flooding submerged two cars along Surrento Valley Rd. and Roselle St.

Flood, San Diego

When: February 27, 4:00 PM PST to 8:00 PM PST
Where: San Diego County, 2.01 mi SE of (San)san Diego Intl to 2.1 mi SE of (San)san Diego Intl
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 32.708, -117.158

The field a Petco Park was completely submerged under several inches of standing water.

Flood, San Diego

When: February 27, 6:00 PM PST to 9:00 PM PST
Where: San Diego County, 0.86 mi E of Sunny Vista to 0.82 mi W of Lynwood Hills
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 32.651, -117.065

Flooding from the Sweetwater River forced the closure of Plaza Bonita Rd due to water over topping the bridge.

Flood, San Diego

When: February 27, 11:00 PM PST to February 28, 1:00 AM PST
Where: San Diego County, 0.79 mi SSE of Lake San Marcos to 0.89 mi SE of San Marcos
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 33.139, -117.175

Street flooding was reported in San Marcos with at least one car submerged.

Flood, San Diego

When: February 28, 4:00 AM PST to 5:00 AM PST
Where: San Diego County, 2.57 mi NNE of Rancho Bernardo to 2.51 mi NNE of Rancho Bernardo
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 33.052, -117.047

A driver attempted and failed to cross a flooded roadway in a vehicle, resulting in water rescue.

What these are

Strong Wind: Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in California in 2017 Every state in 2017 This day in weather history Warnings 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: 681089, 681112, 681091, 681106, 681118, 681120, 681102, 681107, 681103, 681099, 681115, 681113.