A strong and very moist upper low pressure system approached the central California coast on March 5. This system pulled up a deep fetch of moisture of sub-tropical origin which pushed into the area during the evening of March 5 then stalled over the southern portion of central California during the morning of March 6 as a strong southwest upper jet was overhead.
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.
A strong and very moist upper low pressure system approached the central California coast on March 5. This system pulled up a deep fetch of moisture of sub-tropical origin which pushed into the area during the evening of March 5 then stalled over the southern portion of central California during the morning of March 6 as a strong southwest upper jet was overhead. This resulted in widespread heavy precipitation over Kern County with moderate to locally heavy precipitation further north over an already saturated ground producing widespread flooding, debris flows, rock slides and mud slides across the area. Several roads were closed as a result of the flooding. Thunderstorms broke out during the afternoon producing additional moderate to locally heavy rainfall. Much of the Southern Sierra Nevada picked up between 2 and 4 inches of liquid precipitation with the snow level running between 8000 and 8500 feet for much of the event. Between 1 to 3 inches of rain fell in the adjacent foothills and across the Kern County Mountains. Kelso Creek to the southeast of Lake Isabella filled up that a potential levee breach led to an evacuation of the communities of Weldon Valley Ranchos, Valley Estates and Power Tracts within the town of Kelso Creek. State Route 178 was closed in Kern Canyon for two days due to a rock slide. Much of the San Joaquin Valley and Kern County Deserts picked up between a half inch and an inch of rain while locally heavier amounts fell in the south end of the San Joaquin Valley and across the Indian Wells Valley, and as a result road flooding was widespread in Kern County.
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 Mar 5, 4:00 PM PST, 5 hours 10 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service San Joaquin Valley - Hanford CA 400 PM PST Tue Mar 5 2019 .SYNOPSIS...A series of storms will bring episodes of wet weather to the central California interior tonight through the weekend. && .DISCUSSION...Storm weary California residents aren't going to get much of a break during the next 7 days. There are at least two more storms besides the current one that will bring a good water drenching to our CWA. Perhaps the good news in this active pattern is that the storms that follow this one will be colder and generally lower on precipitation amounts but the caveat is that they'll also bring wintry impacts to lower elevations later this week which is addressed later in this discussion. The current storm is centered several hundred miles west of the Bay area and its delivering a rich plume of subtropical moisture into the southern half of our CWA, mainly south of Fresno county. During the next several hours, this atmospheric river will shift southward as the storm over the Eastern Pacific inches toward the California coast. There's a concern that this AR stalls for a time in the strong southwesterly flow aloft tonight into Wednesday morning over Kern county. If so, this will certainly increase the threat of mud slides and debris flows in the Kern county mountains and flash flooding in the Kern county desert. Hence the reason for including this region in the Flash Flood Watch. Areas to the north of this AR, particularly the San Joaquin Valley, will get a break from steady rain tonight into Wednesday morning with widely scattered showers. Otherwise, strong southwest winds aloft will provide the lift necessary to keep orographic precipitation going along the west slopes of the Sierra and also support locally gusty winds on the valley floor in addition to the Tehachapi mountains. By midday Wednesday, the offshore storm will weaken and move inland over the northern part of the state and drag a cold front through our CWA which in turn will finally push the atmospheric river south of Kern county. As cooler air moves in aloft behind this cold front, the atmosphere will become increasingly unstable over much of the CWA, especially where sunshine warms the lower levels. This is a similar setup to what happened Saturday afternoon. In the post frontal environment, isolated thunderstorms and funnel clouds are sure to develop in the San Joaquin Valley and adjacent foothills and linger until about sunset. Any of these thunderstorms could be accompanied by strong winds, small hail and torrential rain which could quickly cause some flooding. In the meantime, the usual hydrologic lag can be expected on many rivers where modest rises in water levels are likely through Wednesday night. Meanwhile, heavy snow will continue to fall over the high Sierra and become showery by Wednesday afternoon and continue through Wednesday night as strong jet dynamics keep the orographical engine running. Snow levels will gradually lower Wednesday evening and night, bottoming out around 5500 feet or so. Snow levels are currently as low as about 5500 feet in Kern county due to evaporative cooling, however the influx of subtropical air should bring snow levels up in this region overnight. In the meantime, slick, wintry travel can be expected in places like Pine Mountain club and Cuddy Valley. By Thursday morning, precipitation will diminish to snow flurries in the mountains above 5500 feet. Outside of the mountains, much of our CWA will enjoy a lull in shower activity Wednesday night through at least midday Thursday. It's going to be a short reprieve, however, because the next storm will already be approaching the Golden State from the northwest and will likely bring another round of wet weather into much of the central California interior by Thursday afternoon. As mentioned earlier, this next storm will certainly be colder and by the time it exits into the Great Basin late Thursday night, it will be cold enough for accumulating snow down to pass level in Kern county. Colder air filtering in behind this storm could lower snow levels to about 3,000 feet Friday and create winter driving conditions down to that elevation for anyone planning an early getaway this weekend. Alas, dry weather will return, albeit briefly, Friday night and Saturday as a weak upper level ridge moves over California. So you know what's coming next. That's right. Another storm. The models develop this system off the northern California coast Saturday and bring its precipitation into the central California interior by Saturday night. If you've got outdoor plans this weekend, Saturday currently looks like the better day to carry them out. Sunday looks inevitably wet and showery. Snow levels will be slightly higher and generally above pass level in Kern county. There is a concern, however, that our late weekend storm could anchor itself over southern California into early next week, in which case the chance of showers could linger over the CWA through Monday, particularly over the mountains and desert. Next Tuesday looks as though it will be precipitation-free as this storm system slowly exits into Arizona and a high pressure ridge over the Eastern Pacific builds into California. Once this ridge takes control, it looks like it will finally be the beginning of a nice, long well-deserved stretch of dry weather for us for much of next week. && .AVIATION... Mountain obscurations due to clouds and precipitation over the Sierra and Tehachapi Mountains. Thunderstorms possible all areas after 18z Wednesday. In the San Joaquin Valley and Kern County desert, areas of rain with MVFR conditions through 18z Wed, thereafter local MVFR conditions in convective showers. && .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.html for additional information an/or to provide feedback. && .HNX Watches/Warnings/Advisories... Flash Flood Watch from 7 PM PST this evening through Wednesday morning CAZ098-099. Wind Advisory from 8 PM this evening to noon PST Wednesday CAZ091-092-095. Wind Advisory until noon PST Wednesday CAZ089-090. Flash Flood Watch through late Wednesday night CAZ093-094. Flash Flood Watch through Wednesday morning CAZ095. Flash Flood Watch through late Wednesday night CAZ096-097. Winter Storm Warning until 4 AM PST Thursday ABOVE 7000 FEET FOR THE CAZ096-097. Winter Weather Advisory above 5500 feet until 10 AM PST Wednesday. CAZ095. && public...Durfee avn/fw...MV synopsis...Durfee weather.gov/hanford
The Los Angeles radar (KVTX), 103 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 05:10 UTC.
23 flood, 12 debris flow, 3 flash flood, 1 funnel cloud, 1 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
California Highway Patrol reported flooding on one lane of northbound State Route 99 at Wilson Rd. in Bakersfield.
California Highway Patrol reported a large boulders in both lanes blocking State Route 178 at Democrat Blvd.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding on San Emideo St. in Lamont.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding at the intersection of Roberts Ln. and Hart St. in Bakersfield.
California Highway Patrol reported rocks in the traffic lanes if Interstate 5 at the intersection of Fort Tejon Rd. near Lebec.
California Highway Patrol reported about a foot of water, mud and debris covering the roadway at the intersection of Redrock-Randsburg Rd. and Garlock Rd.
California Highway Patrol reported a rock slide in the area of Burlando Rd. and Kernville Rd. in Kernville.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding on Lake Isabella Blvd. northeast of Erskine Creek Rd.
California Highway Patrol reported approximately four inches of water across Highline Rd. between Turf St. and South Dennison Rd. in Tehachapi.
California Highway Patrol reported three vehicles stuck in water and unable to move near the intersection of State Route 33 and State Route 46.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding on Norris Rd. near the intersection of Knudsen Dr.
California Highway Patrol reported a rock slide covering the traffic lanes on State Route 178 at Walker Pass.
California Highway Patrol reported a large amount of water and mud across the roadway on Western Minerals Rd. near Hazelton.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding at the intersection of 7th Standard Rd. and State Route 43 in Shafter.
California Highway Patrol reported a rock slide on State Route 155 between Aldercreek Campground and Greenhorn Summit.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding at the intersection of Kelso Creek Rd. and Kelso Valley Rd. south of Weldon.
California Highway Patrol reported the westbound lane of State Route 119 flooded for two miles west of the intersection of Buena Vista Rd.
California Highway Patrol reported several roads were completely washed out by heavy rainfall in Havilah.
California Highway Patrol reported southbound State Route 178 was completely washed out south of the Elizabeth Norris Blvd. intersection.
California Highway Patrol reported State Route 166 was closed from Basic School Rd. to State Route 33 in Maricopa due to flooding.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooded with water, debris and trees at the intersection of Bodfish Canyon Rd. and Lake Isabella Blvd.
California Highway Patrol reported State Route 155 and Granite Rd. in Glennville closed due to a mudslide and rock slide in the area.
California Highway Patrol reported Lake Isabella Blvd. completely flooded with water and mud near Elizabeth Norris Rd.
The Kern County superintendent of schools reported roadway flooding on Walker Basin Rd. and Caliente Creek Rd.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding on East Putnam Ave. in Porterville.
California Highway Patrol reported a creek over flowing across Sierra Vista Dr. in Wofford Heights and a mudslide was completely covering propane tanks.
California Highway Patrol reported the intersection of 7th Standard Rd. and Creek Rd. was completely flooded.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding at the intersection of West China Grade Loop and Airport Dr.
Kern County Officials reported Tejon Highway closed between Panama Rd. and Mountain View Rd. 5N Arvin.
A storm chaser filmed a funnel cloud 9 miles northeast of Madera and shared with broadcast media and NWS.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding at the intersection of Canal Dr. and South Ave. in Delhi.
Kern County Emergency Manager reported Sierra Way was closed between State Route 178 and Hanning Flat due to flooding.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding at the intersection of Looney Rd. and East Ave.
Kern County officials closed Panama Rd. between Malaga Rd. and Habecker Rd. in Lamont due to flooding.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding at the intersection of Westside Blvd. and Washington Blvd.
Kern County officials closed South Edison Rd. from Digirogio Rd. to Mountain View Rd. in Lamont due to flooding.
California Highway Patrol reported Outside Creek was overflowing onto State Route 137 between Tulare and Lindsay.
California Highway Patrol reported Tejon Highway completely washed out south of Mountain View Rd. in Lamont.
The Alcalde RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 64 mph.
California Highway Patrol reported State Route 41 was closed between State Route 145 and Road 200 due to a large boulder blocking the roadway.
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, March 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: 801270, 801343, 801271, 801272, 801344, 801345, 801346, 801273, 801274, 801275, 801277, 801347, 801348, 801279, 801349, 801319, 801320, 801268, 801269, 801359, 801360, 801362, 801350, 801322, 801324, 801351, 801325, 801326, 801327, 801342, 801328, 801329, 801330, 801337, 801338, 801339, 801340, 801363, 801258, 801354.