An incoming front brought winds to some locations in northeast California.
Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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 MFR wrote it up.
An incoming front brought winds to some locations in northeast California.
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 Medford, OR wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 24, 9:42 AM PST, 2 hours 22 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Medford OR
942 AM PST Wed Jan 24 2018
.SHORT TERM...A strong and moist front is gradually moving inland
this morning and will gradually shift east of the Cascades this
afternoon into the evening. As a shortwave moves along the
Pacific Northwest coast it will bring another front into the area
this afternoon and reinforce precipitation across the area.
Strong winds will continue over inland areas through this
afternoon with strongest winds in the Shasta Valley, and east of
the Cascades. High wind warnings and wind advisories remain in
place. Please see the NPWMFR for details. Winds will gradually
lower as the front shifts east this afternoon and this evening.
Significant snow will impact the mountains and higher passes today
as well as across some east side areas, mainly in northern
Klamath today. Winter storm warnings and snow advisories are in
effect for these areas. Please see the WSWMFR for details. Western
valleys and coastal locations will see moderate to locally heavy
rain. Heaviest rain will occur this morning along the coast and
across areas west of the Cascades through the day. Of note, areas
near Mount Shasta City area are receiving rain this morning with
snow over the mountains. Snow levels will gradually lower in the
Mount Shasta area but may not lower to the valley floor until late
afternoon or evening when precipitation becomes lighter.
The pattern will shift to more of a showery pattern late this
evening into tonight as the upper trough begins to move into the
region. This will bring cold air into the region and lower
mountain snow. During the overnight hours snow levels will lower
to 2000 to 2500 feet and locally down to 1500 ft. This is a
concern as the next shot of precipitation moves into the area
Thursday morning when another disturbance nears the coast and brings
a front to the coast and inland.
On Thursday, Light to moderate snow accumulations of generally
around 1 to 5 inches are expected across lower western mountains,
into the Cascades and eastward across portions of Klamath county.
This will bring moderate to locally heavy snow to portions of I-5
near Mount Shasta Thursday with moderate to locally heavy snow
also over the higher passes in western Siskiyou county. Travelers
may also expect moderate snow across passes in the Southern Oregon
Cascades and eastward into northern and north- central Klamath
County. Lower mountains west of the Cascades are expected to see
light to moderate snow accumulation down to 2000 ft in showers on
Thursday. Of note, snow is expected to accumulate down to around
1500 feet in the Illinois Valley at times Thursday and snow may be
heavy in the mountains in the Kalmiopsis wilderness area over
western Josephine and eastern Curry counties. Snow may briefly
lower down to pass levels at times at Sexton Summit as well on
Thursday, especially in the morning period. For travelers on
Thursday, be prepared for snow in the mountains, even on lower
passes. Slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination.
Carry tire chains and be prepared for snow covered roads and
limited visibilities. Please monitor the forecast for the latest
updates.
&&
.AVIATION...24/18Z TAF CYCLE...MVFR cigs and mountain obscuration
will be widespread as a front moves inland and brings
precipitation with it. Conditions could lower to IFR at times in
heavy rain and mountain snow...mainly from the coast to the
Cascades. Freezing levels will fall from around 5000 feet msl
early this morning to around 2000 to 3000 feet tonight. Strong
south winds will occur at the surface today east of the Cascades,
including at KLMT. Strong winds will briefly diminish at the coast
this morning before increasing again this afternoon.
-Schaaf/CC
&&
.MARINE...Updated 300 AM PST Wednesday 24 Jan 2018...A hazardous
seas warning is in effect through Thursday night. The main change to
the forecast was to upgrade the portion of the hazardous seas
warning that is roughly north of Gold Beach and beyond 8 nm from
shore to a gale warning from late tonight into Thursday morning. The
other change was to shorten the duration of the hazardous seas
warning with a slight improvement to advisory conditions during
Friday.
First, south gales with a cold front early this morning will be
strongest south of Cape Blanco. Winds then very briefly diminish but
will begin to increase again before noon. Gales will accompany the
next front late tonight into Thursday morning. There is also a
slight chance of thunderstorms this afternoon through Thursday
afternoon. Very steep seas will build tonight through Thursday and
become very high. Another couple of very strong fronts are expected
Friday night into Saturday and on Saturday night with gales possible
and seas reaching a new peak. -DW
&&
.PREV DISCUSSION... /Issued 318 AM PST Wed Jan 24 2018/
DISCUSSION...The frontal system is approaching the coastline,
but its forward progression has slowed. Latest guidance shows the
front taking its time arriving at the coast, now expected around
mid-morning. Models also indicate a secondary front and wind
surge arriving late morning or early afternoon, and this is really
what forces the whole mess inland. Until then, it will remain
windy over the waters, coast, Shasta Valley, and portions of the
east side. This slowing many delay the onset of precipitation
inland, but not to enough of a degree to be worth meddling with
the forecast. All current headlines seem to be on track and remain
in effect.
A second front will push in on Thursday, really dropping snow
levels and producing another round of precipitation. This should
produce advisory level snow down to around 2500 feet, but light
snowfall is expected down to around 1500 feet. Snow never really
stops falling between the two systems, so in Northern California,
the winter weather headlines were extended out to cover Thursday.
In others, such as for the western slopes of the Cascades and the
Cascades themselves, an Advisory has been issued to cover the
likelihood of several inches of additional snow during the day
Thursday.
Showers are expected to continue into Friday as the upper trough
moves east of the area and moist onshore flow continues. Snow
levels Thursday night into Friday are expected to be around 1500
to 2500 feet and the best area for showers will be along the coast
and inland across Douglas and Josephine counties and into the
Cascades.
The active pattern will continue through early next week.
Considering the run to run changes in the models, and somewhat
inconsistent trends, forecast confidence is not high, but has
improved. A low will drift into the marine waters Friday evening,
pushing a warm front through the Medford CWA, bringing a
substantial round of precipitation during the day Saturday, along
with some gusty south or southwest winds in the usual areas: the
coast, the Shasta Valley, and the East Side. Warm air advection
will cause rising snow levels throughout the day. Expect snow
levels around 2500 to 3000 feet when precipitation begins Friday
night, then snow levels will reach 6000 to 6500 feet Saturday
night. Another stream of moisture with subtropical origins will
impact the Pacific Northwest Sunday into Monday. Right now, it
looks like most impacts will be felt in northern Oregon and
southern Washington, so kept PoPs as mostly chance in southern
Oregon/ northern Cal, but this feature will need to be monitored.
If the track shifts south, there could be river flooding
concerns.
&&
.MFR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OR...High Wind Warning until 10 PM PST this evening for ORZ030-031.
Winter Weather Advisory until 10 PM PST this evening for
ORZ029-030.
Winter Weather Advisory from 7 AM to 10 PM PST Thursday for
ORZ027>030.
Wind Advisory until 10 PM PST this evening for ORZ030-031.
Winter Storm Warning until 10 PM PST this evening for
ORZ029-030.
Winter Weather Advisory from 7 AM to 10 PM PST Thursday above
2500 feet in the for ORZ023-025-026.
Winter Storm Warning until 10 PM PST this evening above 5000
feet in the for ORZ027-028.
CA...High Wind Warning until 10 PM PST this evening for CAZ085.
Wind Advisory until 10 PM PST this evening for CAZ085.
Winter Weather Advisory until 10 PM PST Thursday below 3500 feet
in the for CAZ082.
Winter Storm Warning until 10 PM PST Thursday above 3500 feet in
the for CAZ082.
Winter Storm Warning until 10 PM PST Thursday for CAZ080.
High Wind Warning until 1 PM PST this afternoon for CAZ081.
Winter Weather Advisory until 10 PM PST Thursday for CAZ083.
Winter Storm Warning until 10 PM PST Thursday for CAZ083.
Pacific Coastal Waters...Gale Warning from 11 PM this evening to 8 AM PST Thursday for
PZZ350-356-370-376.
Hazardous Seas Warning until 4 AM PST Friday for
PZZ350-356-370-376.
CC/BSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
908 AM PST WED JAN 24 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0830 AM HEAVY RAIN 6 E GOLD BEACH 42.42N 124.31W
01/24/2018 M2.66 INCH CURRY OR TRAINED SPOTTER
THE DURATION OF THE HEAVY RAIN EVENT WAS 24
HOURS.
&&PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
National Weather Service Medford OR
913 AM PST WED JAN 24 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0909 AM HEAVY RAIN NE BROOKINGS 42.06N 124.29W
01/24/2018 M2.17 INCH Curry OR TRAINED SPOTTER
24 HOUR TOTAL ENDING AT 7 AM PST.
0909 AM HEAVY RAIN 1 NNE COOS BAY 43.39N 124.22W
01/24/2018 M1.76 INCH Coos OR TRAINED SPOTTER
24 HOUR TOTAL ENDING AT 7 AM PST.
0909 AM HEAVY RAIN 4 SSW SUNNY VALLEY 42.59N 123.41W
01/24/2018 M1.46 INCH Josephine OR TRAINED SPOTTER
24 HOUR TOTAL ENDING AT 9 AM PST.
&&
PETRUCELPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
1031 AM PST WED JAN 24 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0830 AM HEAVY RAIN 5 NNE SELMA 42.35N 123.57W
01/24/2018 M2.74 INCH JOSEPHINE OR TRAINED SPOTTER
THE DURATION OF THE HEAVY RAIN EVENT WAS 24
HOURS.
&&
BSPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
1032 AM PST WED JAN 24 2018
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0900 AM HEAVY RAIN 6 SE SELMA 42.23N 123.52W
01/24/2018 M1.89 INCH JOSEPHINE OR TRAINED SPOTTER
THE DURATION OF THE HEAVY RAIN EVENT WAS 24
HOURS.
&&
BSThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
1 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The RAWS at Timber Mountain recorded a gust to 66 mph at 24/1303 PST.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in California in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in California, January 2018
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: 728275.