California, 2019

Flooding and Hail in California, November 26 to 27, 2019

November 26 to 27, 2019 · NWS MTR · 31 events in 17 counties and zones

A rapidly intensifying and ultimately record setting low pressure system moved into northern California and the Pacific Northwest in late November. A strong cold front associated with this system swept through the Bay Area bringing heavy rain, roadway flooding, strong winds, low elevation snow, small hail, and large waves to the region.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 15 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
31

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS MTR wrote it up.

A rapidly intensifying and ultimately record setting low pressure system moved into northern California and the Pacific Northwest in late November. A strong cold front associated with this system swept through the Bay Area bringing heavy rain, roadway flooding, strong winds, low elevation snow, small hail, and large waves to the region. This low set a record for the lowest sea-level pressure ever recorded in the state of California near Crescent City of 973.4 mb. Numerous webcams picked up snow on our area peaks down to 2000 feet in elevation.

The radar

The San Francisco radar (KMUX), 82 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:23 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

14 strong wind, 8 flood, 7 high wind, 2 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Flood, San Francisco

When
November 26, 3:26 PM PST to 3:56 PM PST
Where
San Francisco County, 2.68 mi ENE of San Francisco
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.770, -122.408

Roadway flooding at US 101N and 9th St off ramp.

Flood, San Francisco

When
November 26, 4:04 PM PST to 4:34 PM PST
Where
San Francisco County, 2.48 mi E of Crissy Aaf to 2.47 mi E of Crissy Aaf
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.801, -122.425

Roadway flooding at S Van Ness Ave and S Van Ness Ave on ramp.

High Wind, Coastal North Bay Including Point Reyes National Seashore

When
November 26, 5:30 PM PST to 5:40 PM PST
Where
Coastal North Bay Including Point Reyes National Seashore forecast zone
Measured
53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
38.290, -122.835 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mesonet station 1.8 miles W of Bodega Bay.

High Wind, North Bay Mountains

When
November 26, 5:50 PM PST to 5:55 PM PST
Where
North Bay Mountains forecast zone
Measured
57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet

Mesonet station 2.1 miles NW of Lucas Valley-Marinwood.

Strong Wind, North Bay Interior Valleys

When
November 26, 5:50 PM PST to 5:55 PM PST
Where
North Bay Interior Valleys forecast zone
Measured
40 kt (46 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
38.362, -122.667 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Meesonet station (PGE) 1.7 miles S of Temelec.

High Wind, Coastal North Bay Including Point Reyes National Seashore

When
November 26, 6:40 PM PST to 6:45 PM PST
Where
Coastal North Bay Including Point Reyes National Seashore forecast zone
Measured
63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
38.290, -122.835 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mesonet station (PGE) 0.6 miles SW of Sausalito.

Strong Wind, North Bay Interior Valleys

When
November 26, 7:00 PM PST to 7:05 PM PST
Where
North Bay Interior Valleys forecast zone
Measured
47 kt (54 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
38.362, -122.667 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mesonet station on Angel Island reported a wind gust of 54 mph.

Flood, San Francisco

When
November 26, 7:00 PM PST to 7:30 PM PST
Where
San Francisco County, 1.01 mi WNW of Ocean View to 1 mi WNW of Ocean View
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
37.723, -122.448

KPIX reported flooding on I-280 near Ocean Ave causing a severe traffic alert to be issued https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/video/4222933-chp-issues-traffic-alert-as-severe-rain-causes-flooding-on-i-280-in-sf/. Timing is estimated.

Strong Wind, East Bay Interior Valleys

When
November 26, 7:03 PM PST to 7:08 PM PST
Where
East Bay Interior Valleys forecast zone
Measured
39 kt (45 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
37.787, -121.934 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tree down on roadway off ramp near Richmond.

Strong Wind, East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range

When
November 26, 7:12 PM PST to 7:17 PM PST
Where
East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range forecast zone
Measured
43 kt (49 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet

Mesonet station in Altamont.

High Wind, East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range

When
November 26, 7:18 PM PST to 7:23 PM PST
Where
East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range forecast zone
Measured
53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet

Mesonet station on Calaveras Rd.

Strong Wind, San Francisco Peninsula Coast

When
November 26, 7:18 PM PST to 7:23 PM PST
Where
San Francisco Peninsula Coast forecast zone
Measured
44 kt (51 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
37.229, -122.183 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mesonet station on Spring Valley.

Strong Wind, East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range

When
November 26, 7:28 PM PST to 7:33 PM PST
Where
East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range forecast zone
Measured
48 kt (55 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet

Mesonet station Black Diamond.

High Wind, East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range

When
November 26, 7:28 PM PST to 7:33 PM PST
Where
East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range forecast zone
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet

Mesonet station at Las Trampas.

Strong Wind, Northern Salinas Valley / Hollister Valley / Carmel Valley

When
November 26, 7:30 PM PST to 7:35 PM PST
Where
Northern Salinas Valley / Hollister Valley / Carmel Valley forecast zone
Measured
43 kt (49 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
36.423, -121.192 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mesonet station (PGE) in Carmel Valley Village.

High Wind, Santa Cruz Mountains

When
November 26, 7:40 PM PST to 7:45 PM PST
Where
Santa Cruz Mountains forecast zone
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
37.230, -122.021 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mesonet station 5 miles ESE of Lexington Hills.

Strong Wind, Northern Monterey Bay

When
November 26, 7:46 PM PST to 7:51 PM PST
Where
Northern Monterey Bay forecast zone
Measured
43 kt (49 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
37.022, -122.010 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mesonet station in Santa Cruz.

Strong Wind, East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range

When
November 26, 7:57 PM PST to 8:02 PM PST
Where
East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range forecast zone
Measured
45 kt (52 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement

Tree down 7 miles ENE of Fremont.

Strong Wind, Northern Salinas Valley / Hollister Valley / Carmel Valley

When
November 26, 8:00 PM PST to 8:05 PM PST
Where
Northern Salinas Valley / Hollister Valley / Carmel Valley forecast zone
Measured
46 kt (53 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
36.423, -121.192 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mesonet (PGE) in Carmel Valley Village.

Flood, Alameda

When
November 26, 8:11 PM PST to 8:41 PM PST
Where
Alameda County, 1.2 mi NNE of Mills College to 1.19 mi NNE of Mills College
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
37.787, -122.195

Severe flooding reported on westbound I-80 at High Street in Oakland https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/thousands-without-power-across-bay-area-amid-storm-conditions/.

Strong Wind, San Francisco Bay Shoreline

When
November 26, 8:11 PM PST to 11:30 PM PST
Where
San Francisco Bay Shoreline forecast zone
Measured
45 kt (52 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
37.561, -121.980 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thousands of residents around the Bay Area lost power as a storm moved through the region https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/thousands-without-power-across-bay-area-amid-storm-conditions/. Timing is estimated.

Flood, Contra Costa

When
November 26, 8:15 PM PST to 8:45 PM PST
Where
Contra Costa County, 0.56 mi E of Walnut Creek to 0.55 mi E of Walnut Creek
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Broadcast Media
Coordinates
37.900, -122.060

Media reported flooded roads at the intersection of Broadway and Cypress St in Walnut Creek.

High Wind, Southern Monterey Bay and Big Sur Coast

When
November 26, 9:09 PM PST to 9:14 PM PST
Where
Southern Monterey Bay and Big Sur Coast forecast zone
Measured
57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
36.240, -121.309 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Mesonet station 3 miles NW of Castroville.

Strong Wind, North Bay Interior Valleys

When
November 26, 9:10 PM PST to 9:15 PM PST
Where
North Bay Interior Valleys forecast zone
Measured
45 kt (52 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
38.362, -122.667 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Large tree down blocking roadway 4 miles N of Napa.

Strong Wind, Mountains of San Benito County and Interior Monterey County Including Pinnacles National Park

When
November 26, 9:20 PM PST to 9:25 PM PST
Where
Mountains of San Benito County and Interior Monterey County Including Pinnacles National Park forecast zone
Measured
46 kt (53 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
36.423, -121.192 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Meonet station (PGE) 3 miles WSW of San Juan Batista.

Flood, Santa Clara

When
November 26, 10:07 PM PST to 10:37 PM PST
Where
Santa Clara County, 2.42 mi S of Montalvo to 2.43 mi S of Montalvo
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.195, -122.025

California Highway Patrol reporting roadway flooding at Black Rd and Gist Rd.

Flood, Santa Cruz

When
November 26, 10:44 PM PST to 11:14 PM PST
Where
Santa Cruz County, 1.17 mi NNE of Watsonville to 1.16 mi NNE of Watsonville
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.936, -121.743

Hwy 152 at Holohan Rd eastbound lane under 1 foot of water.

Strong Wind, Northern Monterey Bay

When
November 26, 10:44 PM PST to 10:49 PM PST
Where
Northern Monterey Bay forecast zone
Measured
45 kt (52 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.022, -122.010 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Swanton Road closed in the 44 block due to down trees and wires.

Hail, Alameda

When
November 26, 11:00 PM PST to 11:05 PM PST
Where
Alameda County, 1 mi WSW of Oakland
Measured
0.25 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
37.775, -122.237

Public reporting pea-sized hail in Alameda. Reported via twitter.

Flood, Santa Clara

When
November 26, 11:37 PM PST to November 27, 12:07 AM PST
Where
Santa Clara County, 1.61 mi NE of Campbell to 1.6 mi NE of Campbell
Cause
Heavy Rain
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.317, -121.950

SB I-280 under Winchester Blvd is under 3 inches of water.

Hail, San Francisco

When
November 27, 4:00 AM PST to 4:05 AM PST
Where
San Francisco County, 2.79 mi ESE of Crissy Aaf
Measured
0.25 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
37.789, -122.421

Spotter reported pea-sized hail in San Francisco.

What these are

Flood
Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
High Wind
Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
Strong Wind
Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.
Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in California in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in California, November 2019

Sources

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: 860166, 860167, 860196, 860195, 860197, 860194, 860172, 860191, 860173, 860174, 860176, 860177, 860178, 860179, 860180, 860181, 860182, 860183, 860184, 860192, 860193, 860168, 860185, 860186, 860187, 860169, 860170, 860188, 860189, 860171, 860190.