Two strong storms brought a range of significant weather impacts to northern interior California. The first storm was very wet and warm, the second not quite as wet but cooler with lower snow levels.
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 STO wrote it up.
Two strong storms brought a range of significant weather impacts to northern interior California. The first storm was very wet and warm, the second not quite as wet but cooler with lower snow levels. Both storms brought strong, damaging winds. The heavy rain brought widespread flooding of small streams and rivers, with some flooding of main stem rivers, mountain snow many feet deep, and numerous trees down on roads, vehicles, and homes. Many roads, including major highways such as Interstate 80, were shut down due to mudslides, heavy snow, flooding, washouts or avalanche suppression. EF0 tornadoes were reported at Lincoln and Natomas. Other significant impacts include numerous accidents due to slippery roads, evacuations and rescues due to flooding.
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 Jan 6, 10:25 AM PST, 1 hour 35 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Sacramento CA 1025 AM PST Fri Jan 6 2017 .Synopsis... Below freezing temperatures in the valley this morning. Rain and mountain snow Saturday with snow levels rising above pass levels Saturday night. Periods of heavy rain Saturday night into Monday. Another wet storm possible again Tuesday into Wednesday with lower snow levels. && .Discussion... Upper ridging over NorCal with mainly clear skies and drying northerly flow overnight allowed for strong radiational cooling. As a result, low temperatures were below freezing throughout much of the Central Valley with widespread frost. High clouds will stream into the area today ahead of the approaching weather system. Below normal temperatures expected today with highs in the upper 40s to lower 50s for the Central Valley with mainly 30s to 40s for the foothills and mountains. Models spread precip into western portions of the forecast area after about 08z Sat and over the entire CWA during the morning hours. Snow levels Saturday morning expected to initially be around 1000 to 2000 feet in the Shasta and Coastal mountains with a possible rain/snow mix around the Redding area, and 3000 to 4000 feet in Western Plumas and Sierra Nevada. Strong WAA will occur tomorrow with snow levels rising above pass levels Saturday afternoon into night. Winter weather advisories in place over the mountains to cover snow amounts before most areas turn to rain. 925 mb winds on both NAM and GFS are 50+ knots tomorrow morning from around the Southern Sac Valley and Delta area south into the Northern San Joaquin Valley. As a result, will be issuing a wind advisory to cover that. Deep atmospheric moisture becomes focused over the CWA Sunday resulting in periods of moderate to heavy rain with snow levels above 8000 feet. Flood watch in place to cover potential flooding of urban areas, small streams and creeks, and unregulated rivers in the foothills and West Slopes of the Sierra Nevada, such as the Cosumnes. Heaviest precipitation appears to be focused over southern portions of the Sacramento Valley and Northern San Joaquin Valley, Motherlode, and Sierra Nevada Sunday into Sunday night. Potential for strong gusty winds Sunday and additional advisories may be needed. Combination of gusty wind and saturated soils could lead to down trees and power outages. Heavy precip looks to continue along the Motherlode and West Slopes of the Sierra Nevada Monday morning with lighter precip elsewhere across the CWA. Storm QPF Saturday through Monday ranges from 2 to 6 inches in the Central Valley, 3 to 9 inches in Coastal/Shasta mountains, and 7 to 15 inches for the NE Foothills, Motherlode, Western Plumas mountains, and Sierra Nevada. Precipitation amounts this high have not been seen since the storms of December 2005 and could surpass the average monthly total for many areas. Colder air pushes into the area Monday with lowering snow levels. Snow levels begin to lower Monday as AR shifts southward. Models point to a second atmospheric river setting up over the area Tuesday into Wednesday with more significant precip. QPF amounts with this system look to be about half the value of the weekend storm and focused more over the northern half of the CWA. Snow levels however will be lower with significant snow impacting mountain passes. PCH && .EXTENDED DISCUSSION (Tuesday THROUGH Friday) Wet pattern is likely to continue through much of next week. The next land-falling atmospheric river is expected to move into Northern California Tuesday into Wednesday. This system will likely bring another dose of heavy precipitation across the region, though probably not quite as heavy as the weekend storm. Snow levels of 4000-6000 feet are currently forecast, with multiple feet of snow possible above those levels. Lower snow levels will likely mean less runoff, but with rivers and streams likely to be swollen, any additional rainfall will continue the potential for flooding. A chance of precipitation will be possible through the rest of next week. Longer range models are hinting at another potentially wet storm system late next week. Dang && && .AVIATION... VFR conds acrs Intr NorCal tda then incrsg MVFR/IFR conds aft 08z Sat as nxt Pac stm movs inld. Sly wnds gsts to 35 kts poss in Srn Sac/Nrn San Joaquin vly and Delta aft 12z Sat. && .STO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch from Saturday afternoon through Wednesday morning for Burney Basin / Eastern Shasta County-Carquinez Strait and Delta-Central Sacramento Valley-Clear Lake/Southern Lake County- Motherlode-Mountains Southwestern Shasta County to Northern Lake County-Northeast Foothills/Sacramento Valley-Northern Sacramento Valley-Northern San Joaquin Valley-Shasta Lake Area / Northern Shasta County-Southern Sacramento Valley-West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada-Western Plumas County/Lassen Park. Winter Weather Advisory from 4 AM to 10 PM PST Saturday for West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada-Western Plumas County/Lassen Park. Winter Weather Advisory from 1 AM to 4 PM PST Saturday for Mountains Southwestern Shasta County to Northern Lake County. Winter Weather Advisory from 1 AM to 4 PM PST Saturday for Shasta Lake Area / Northern Shasta County. &&
The Beale AFB radar (KBBX), 59 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:56 UTC.
22 heavy rain, 17 flood, 13 debris flow, 5 strong wind, 3 winter weather, 3 heavy snow, 2 high wind, 2 tornado, 1 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.
There were 13.39 of rain measured at La Porte. The duration of the heavy rain event was 72 hours.
There were 11.25 measured at Arcade Creek. The duration of the heavy rain event was 72 hours.
There were 11.59 of rain measured. The duration of the heavy rain event was 72 hours.
There was 3.99 of rain measured, 72 hour storm total.
There were 3 inches of low elevation snow, at elevation 335 feet. This caused travel problems on area roads. Precipitation switched from snow to rain at 10 am.
There were 3 inches of low elevation snow in Redding, at elevation 565 feet. This caused travel problems on city roads.
Flooding of Deer Creek reported at Scott Rd. in Sloughhouse. A driver was rescued when his truck got stuck as he drove across the flooded road.
River Road between Chico River Road and Ord Ferry Road was closed due to flooding.
Heavy rainfall brought street flooding to Wilton on Green Rd.
There were 11.25 inches measured at Bucks Lake. The duration of the heavy rain event was 72 hours.
Kiefer Boulevard north of Jackson Rd. was closed due to flooding.
Cottonwood Road from Table Mountain to Highway 99 closed due to flooding.
Flooding caused closure of Highway 70 near Cresta Dam on Feather River Canyon. This was due to heavy rain which necessitated the opening of the floodgates.
Homes flooded near the Plavada subdivision in Kingvale, with 2 feet of water in some homes and garages.
Highway 70 was closed from Jarbo Gap to Greenville due to flooding.
Roadway flooding cut off access to Lake Van Norden.
Big Chico Creek overran its banks in Bidwell Park.
There was a mudslide blocking Highway 174 in Colfax.
There was 5.76 of rain, with a storm total of 10.67. There was light snow at the time of observation, with 28 of snow on the ground.
There was 4.29 inches of rain measured over 24 hours, 4 miles east of Kyburz.
There was a 24 hour total of 4.25 of rain in Pacific House, with an 8 day total of 13.89.
There were 11.25 of rain measured at Bear Canyon Road, in Anderson Springs. The duration of the heavy rain event was 72 hours.
There were 14.07 of rain over 72 hours at Huysink along I80.
CalTrans reported eastbound I80 was closed by more than 80 power poles that were leaning toward the highway with power lines dipping to within a few feet of the ground. Eastbound traffic was stopped at the city of Colfax. The leaning poles were thought to be the result of high winds and soaked ground. Winds gusted to an estimated 50-55 kt.
The well known Pioneer Cabin giant sequoia tree was reported blown down at Calaveras Big Trees State Park. This tree was over 1000 years old, and had been hollowed out in the 1880s for pedestrians and later for cars to drive through. Wind gusts up to 68 mph were measured at nearby Blue Mountain Lookout.
Multiple rockfalls blocked SR 70 in the Feather River Canyon with rocks and large boulders.
Roadway closed on Highway 16 Yolo - Rumsey to Highway 20 due to rockslide and debris in the roadway.
A tree fell on a truck in Fair Oaks due to strong winds.
There was 1.55 of heavy rain measured over 24 hours in Kyburz.
Ham radio operators in the Grass Valley/Nevada City area reported 2.5 to 3.0 of rain over 24 hours.
There was 2.20 of rain measured over 24 hours near Big Bend Summit, with a 9 day total of 16.19.
There were 21 of snow measured at Bear Valley Ski Resort.
There was a 24 hour total of 1.46 measured 7 SE of Beale AFB.
There were 40 of snow measured by Caltrans at Donner Pass over 24 hours at an elevation of 7200 feet.
Northbound lane of Highway 89 closed due to 8 inches of water in the roadway.
A rock/mud slide covered the northbound lane of Highway 162 near the intersection with Simmons Rd. on the east side of Lake Oroville.
There was 1.68 of rain measured over 8 hours at Pacific House.
A 24 year old man died when his car crashed into a large oak tree. The CHP thought weather may have played a factor. At the time of the incident it was cloudy, windy and raining steadily.
A brief tornado touchdown was photographed out in a grassy field in Lincoln, near Thunder Valley Casino, causing no damage.
SR162 was closed from Road Y to Midway in Butte County due to flooding.
There was 2.00 of rainfall estimated over 24 hours. Clover Valley Creek rose to the top of its banks and extended into portions of Clover Valley Park.
There were 26 of snow measured by a weather spotter in Kingvale at an elevation of 6100 feet. The duration of the heavy snow event was 12 hours.
Interstate 80 was closed in both directions over the Sierra Nevada near Donner Lake. CalTrans and CHP reported a 60 foot mudslide at 6 pm due to a mudslide. Interstate 80 was shut down for 17 hours west bound, 14 hours east bound, until CalTrans removed the debris.
CalTrans reported a mud/rock slide on Highway 50, which closed westbound lanes.
Rocks, mud, on Highway 70, making the roadway unpassable, as well as a slip out.
The bridge on Morton Rd. was washed out by flooding from Canyon Creek. This road is located next to the I80 exit in Alta. The incident isolated 15 homes. An alternative temporary access was established, traversing a steep, windy gravel road over private property. |The Placer County Board of Supervisors approved two measures giving both short- and long-term assistance to the isolated community. A new temporary bridge, and then a permanent bridge will be constructed on the site. The estimated cost is $3 million dollars for the bridge construction. The total cost was estimated by the county to be $5 million.
Flooding reported on Highway 49, along South Ave. in Jackson for backs of houses near creek, possible flooded basements. Jackson Creek and Sutter Creek rose over banks. Three bridges shut down in the area.
A home adjacent to Boggs Forest in Cobb, Ca. was damaged by water runoff.
North Auburn Sewer Maintenance District building roof was damaged by a falling tree. Saturated ground and gusty winds were thought responsible.
There was 1 of new snow at elevation 4050', 9 NNW Twin Bridges.
There were 4.16 inches of rain measured 4 NE Big Bend Summit, with a 10 day total of 20.35.
There was 1.77 of rain measured at 5 ENE Lincoln over 24 hours. Grass Valley ham radio operators reported 3.5 of rain.
There were 1.50 of rain measured over 5 hours 1 E of Quincy.
There was 2.15 of rain measured 3 NNW Castella. There was 13.71 for the month.
A 70 foot tall oak tree fell and damaged a vehicle in the driveway and scraped the front of the home, in addition to ripping out a few sections of sidewalk. Saturated ground and gusty winds were thought responsible. Winds gusted to 45 mph at 3:53 pm PST.
A tree fell on a car a woman was driving to work in eastern Sacramento. Firemen helped her escape, and she had no injuries. Saturated ground and gusty winds were thought responsible. Winds gusted to 45 mph at 3:53 pm PST.
State Route 20 in Colusa County closed in both directions from Husted Rd in Williams to approximately 3 miles east of Williams at Lone State Rd. due to flooding.
Law enforcement reported a mud/rock slide on State Route 193 near the junction with Rock Creek Road.
A mudslide blocked Highway 174 at the Bear River Bridge near Odyssey Lane. Traffic used the shoulders to pass.
Whiteout conditions and heavy shut down I80 for about 24 hours.
Law enforcement reported rocks, mud, and a large tree on Rock Creek Rd. in northern Placerville, CA.
Heavy rainfall and water over topping a levee along the Cosumnes brought street flooding to Wilton on Green Rd and Dillard Rd, and into adjacent properties. There were voluntary evacuations of about 7000 to 10000 people, due to the levee over topping and the threat of possible levee failure.
Rocks, mud, and a tree across the roadway on Highway 49. The roadway was unpassable due to numerous slides on both sides of the South Yuba River Bridge.
An NWS survey determined an EF0 tornado touched down in the southern Natomas area of Sacramento- South Natomas Tornado. The path length was 3/8 of a mile. Several trees and fences were downed. Two metal awnings were twisted and torn down. Numerous trees were stripped of limbs and deposited in the roadway.
State Route 70 closed due to a mud slide at mile marker 5, in Plumas County.
A funnel cloud was sighted and photographed over Ceres, around Central Ave. and Bradbury Rd. There were no reports of touchdown or damage.
State Route 16 in Yolo County was closed from Rumsey Canyon to State Route 20 due to a rock/mud slide blocking the roadway.
State Route 49 in Sierra County closed due to a rock/mud slide blocking the roadway. The guard rail was damaged.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strong Wind, Northeast Foothills/Sacramento Valley | 2017-01-09 | 24 | Male | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Indirect |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in California in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for California, 2017Warnings in California, January 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: 676627, 676629, 676631, 676638, 674969, 674970, 665642, 674965, 665645, 676628, 665646, 665647, 674966, 665653, 665655, 676612, 676613, 676988, 676622, 676623, 676624, 676625, 676626, 676680, 676681, 677603, 675908, 676991, 676639, 676641, 676643, 676684, 676644, 677388, 676614, 676646, 676651, 676674, 674297, 676615, and more.