From November 30 through December 2, 2019, an impactful winter storm tracked over northern California. Snow levels started off around 2,000 to 2,500 feet and were slow to rise throughout the event.
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.
From November 30 through December 2, 2019, an impactful winter storm tracked over northern California. Snow levels started off around 2,000 to 2,500 feet and were slow to rise throughout the event. The forecast called for 2 to 6 inches of snow at the lower elevations, while the Sierra could once again see 1 to 3 feet of snow. Majority of the heavy snow for the Winter Storm Warning fell from November 30 through December 2nd. Storm total snow will be posted in November and December's storm data. It's worth noting that the ski resorts within NWS Reno's had snow fall totals ranging from 12 to 30 inches.
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 Nov 30, 10:25 PM PST, 1 hour 35 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Sacramento CA 1025 PM PST Sat Nov 30 2019 .SYNOPSIS... A wetter and warmer winter storm is expected this weekend bringing additional travel problems in the higher mountains. Active weather looks to persist into next week. && .DISCUSSION... The Evening Update: WSW headlines look good at this time and will let the NE foothills advisory expire at 11 pm. Quick look at the WBZ's in zone 66 indicate they are rising above freezing suggesting the rest of the precip will be in liquid form. We allowed the 64 advisory to expire earlier in the evening. As for the WAD, we seem to be getting the usual "lull" as the warm front moves onshore (i.e. snow levels rising). The NAM 925 mbs winds still show a SEly 50+ kt wind max from the Nrn SJV into the Srn Sac Vly through 00z Mon, and for aviation purposes we have highlighted the potential speed shear within the critical 2 kft airspace in the 06z TAFs. Still there is the potential to see some stronger gusts overnite and into Sun morning than what we have seen so far. Looks as if the KDAX VWP shows 45 kts at 2 kft (about 15 kts less than what is forecast at this time) but we may have to exercise some patience with the wind due to the WAA and basically isothermal low level profiles putting a cap on the higher momentum air aloft from mixing down at this time. That may change as short wave energy just offshore now moves onshore during the night. JHM .Previous Discussion... Low pressure area remains off the coast and continues to spread some light precipitation inland ahead of the main band later tonight and continuing into Monday for the Sierra Nevada. Snow levels have been slow to rise but are expected to slowly rise later this afternoon and evening above 3000 feet for Southern Lake County and the Northeast Foothills so will be ending the Winter Weather Advisory at 6 PM this evening. Further north it will take longer for the snow levels to rise so travel impacts north of Redding along I-5 will be likely into early Sunday. Snow levels will be rising late this evening over the Sierra Nevada so expect chain control locations to be changing as conditions change throughout the night and on Sunday. However heavy snow expected tonight may end up closing travel for a period of time so CALTRANS should be contacted before travel for the latest road conditions. On Sunday is when snow levels rise enough during the day to improve travel on I-5 north of Redding as snow will change over to rain. Winds will increase tonight as the front moves inland becoming strongest late this evening through early Sunday before reducing in wind speeds. Typical wind problems will likely occur with blowing debris, possible down tree limbs and local power outages. The valley will see a very decent amount of rainfall with this event. While there are no major flooding concerns this early in the season, the amount of rainfall along with potential clogged drains may lead to some street flooding. Rivers in the mountains and foothills should see a sharp rise in levels the next couple of days. On Monday the low regenerates itself off the coast and Northern California will settle into showery pattern with high snow levels. The low will begin to move into Southern California on Tuesday with a chance for some steady rain moving across the San Joaquin Valley and into the mountains to the east. Further north shower chances will continue be diminish the further north you go. && .EXTENDED DISCUSSION (Wednesday THROUGH Saturday)... An upper low will be in the process of swinging through southern California early Wednesday. Depending on its position, some lingering showers into Wednesday may be possible, mainly south of I-80 and over the higher terrain. A brief lull in the active weather pattern is likely during the following 24 hours. However, there is building confidence in a moderate atmospheric river event by Thursday into next weekend. The GEFS ensemble probabilities depict a reasonably high signal of this occurring between 35-43N latitude which covers all of northern California. This would include additional heavy precipitation, strong winds, and continued cool temperatures. Overall highs during the period will remain close to slightly below average for early December. ~BRO && && .AVIATION... Widespread MVFR conditions, with local IFR, and precipitation will affect the region through Sunday and into Mon. South to southeasterly surface wind gusts increase to 20 to 40 knots from KSMF southward into Sunday morning. SEly wind speed shear expected through 00z Mon due to LLJ 50-60 kts from the Nrn San Joaquin Vly into the Srn Sac Vly. && .STO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Storm Warning until 6 PM PST Monday for West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada-Western Plumas County/Lassen Park. Winter Storm Warning until 6 PM PST Sunday for Burney Basin / Eastern Shasta County-Mountains Southwestern Shasta County to Northern Lake County-Shasta Lake Area / Northern Shasta County. Winter Weather Advisory until 11 PM PST this evening for Northeast Foothills/Sacramento Valley. Wind Advisory until 10 AM PST Sunday for Carquinez Strait and Delta-Northern San Joaquin Valley-Southern Sacramento Valley. &&
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SACRAMENTO CA
943 PM PST SAT NOV 30 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0930 PM HEAVY SNOW 2 NW SIMS 41.08N 122.38W
11/30/2019 M2.0 INCH SHASTA CA TRAINED SPOTTER
2 INCHES OF NEW SNOW TODAY. HEAVY SNOW
OCCURRING NOW. ELEVATION 2500 FEET.
&&
KS3 winter storm, 2 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort reported 17 inches of new snow accumulation over a period of 24 hours.
Bear Valley Ski Resort reported 21 inches of new snow accumulation over a period of 24 hours.
Kirkwood ski resort reported 46 inches of new snow accumulation over a period of 24 hours.
Sugar Bowl Ski Resort reported 20 inches of new snow accumulation over a period of 24 hours.
Boreal Ski Resort reported 14 inches of new snow accumulation over a period of 24 hours.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in California in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in California, December 2019
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: 869437, 869439, 869442, 869466, 869433.