Atmospheric river system brought heavy rainfall, flooding, debris flows, and high elevation snowfall to the central California region. Snow levels were above 8000 feet with this relatively warm system.
Every event with a place to put it. 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 HNX wrote it up.
Atmospheric river system brought heavy rainfall, flooding, debris flows, and high elevation snowfall to the central California region. Snow levels were above 8000 feet with this relatively warm system.
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 Feb 5, 5:31 AM PST, 2 hours 43 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service San Joaquin Valley - Hanford CA 531 AM PST Sun Feb 5 2017 .SYNOPSIS... Dry and mild conditions continue through this afternoon, then rain and mountain snow returns, with unsettled weather for the first part of the week and again near the end of the week. && .DISCUSSION... Some high cloudiness is streaming across the region in west/southwesterly flow ahead of a shortwave trough approaching the California coast. At the surface, temperatures are seasonably cool with current fog development limited to a thin ribbon running up the center of the San Joaquin Valley. Expect some patches of dense fog to continue to develop through the early morning hours. The approaching shortwave trough will bring more rain and mountain snow to the region beginning tonight. Models are similar in bringing precip into our area by around 06Z as the trough swings inland. Snow levels will be around 6 to 7 thousand feet with accumulations of 12-18 inches expected from Kings Canyon north and around 6 to 12 inches in the Tulare County mountains. A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for the southern Sierra north of Tulare County above 6000 feet and a Winter Weather Advisory above 6000 feet in Tulare County. These are in effect tonight through Monday night. At the lower elevations around 1-2 inches of rain possible down into the foothills while the San Joaquin Valley can see around 1/2 inch in Merced County tapering down to a couple of tenths in the south end and in the desert zones. Gusty winds will accompany the passing system, especially through and below mountain passes. Wind speeds are expected to mostly remain below advisory levels, but we could still see some trees falling when the wind is combined with wet ground. Another impulse is progged to bring additional precip Tuesday- Tuesday night, then ridging brings a break for Wednesday into early Thursday ahead of another approaching frontal system. This warmer system looks to have higher snow levels, around 7 to 8 thousand feet, as it brings additional rain and snow for the end of the work week. Models agree on high pressure rebuilding behind the exiting system, returning dry conditions for next weekend. && .AVIATION... Areas of MVFR visibilities in mist with local IFR in fog in the San Joaquin Valley through 19z Sunday. Precipitation spreading in from the west after 00Z Monday with mountain obscuring IFR conditions developing in the Sierra Nevada, and MVFR conditions in rain/mist across the San Joaquin Valley. && .AIR QUALITY ISSUES... None. && .CERTAINTY... The level of certainty for days 1 and 2 is high. 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 for additional information an/or to provide feedback. && .HNX Watches/Warnings/Advisories... Winter Weather Advisory from 10 PM this evening to 10 PM PST Monday ABOVE 6000 FEET FOR THE CAZ097. Winter Storm Warning from 10 PM this evening to 10 PM PST Monday ABOVE 6000 FEET FOR THE CAZ096. && public...JEB avn/fw...DCH synopsis...JEB weather.gov/hanford
The San Joaquin Valley radar (KHNX), 152 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:39 UTC.
9 flood, 7 debris flow, 2 heavy snow, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Coop observer reported a measured 9 inches of snowfall near Tuolumne Meadows in Tuolumne County. Also reported a snow depth of 103 inches.
Coop observer reported a measured 15 inches of snowfall near Tuolumne Meadows in Tuolumne County. Also reported a snow depth of 112 inches.
California Highway Patrol reported a debris flow from heavy rainfall with a large boulder in the road near State Route 140 and Foresta Road intersection just west of El Portal.
California Highway Patrol 5 by 5 foot boulder in road due to heavy rain near State Route 155 and Alta Sierra Drive near Alta Sierra.
California Highway Patrol reported a large slide blocking both lanes of State Route 49 near Harris Road south of Ponderosa Basin.
California Highway Patrol reported bridge flooding over from heavy rainfall near east Mission Avenue and Los Banos Highway intersection in Merced.
California Highway Patrol reported water flowing over roadway bridge near State Route 140 and Triangle Road just south of Midpines.
California Highway Patrol reported a debris flow and small slide near State Route 41 and Cedar Valley Drive north of Yosemite Forks.
California Highway Patrol reported 3/4 of road blocked due to a debris flow with land slide State Route 140 and Yosemite Oaks Road south of Midpines.
California Highway Patrol reported road closure due to a bridge collapse from heavy rainfall near Sugarloaf Road and Auberry Road just northeast of Meadow Lakes.
California Highway Patrol reported rock slide which completely blocked west bound lane near State Route 49 and State Route 140 intersection near Mariposa.
Mariposa Sheriff reported road closure due to flooding near State Route 49 and State Route 140 intersection in Mariposa.
California Highway Patrol reported road impassable due to roadway flooding from heavy rainfall and creek overflow on Colorado Road just south of Briceburg.
California Highway Patrol reported a large rock slide due to heavy rainfall on Highway 190 about 1 mile north of Camp Nelson.
California Highway Patrol an entire road closure due to flooding on Plainsburg Road near Buchanan Hollow Road just east of Athlone.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway closure due to flooding on Highway 59 near McNamara Road south of Merced.
California Highway Patrol reported debris on roadway due to recent heavy rain and flooding on North Fork Road near Highway 41 near Fine Gold. One way traffic control was in place.
California Highway Patrol reported road closure due to flooding on Reilly Road near Tyler Road south of Merced.
California Highway Patrol reported debris blocking roadway due to recent roadway flooding from heavy rain on Mineral King Road near Mitchel Ranch near Oak Grove.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in California in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in California, February 2017
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: 682669, 682670, 682671, 682678, 682679, 682660, 682661, 682673, 682674, 682662, 682676, 682663, 682659, 682677, 682664, 682665, 682666, 682667, 682668.