Winter Storm and Winter Weather in California, November 29 to 30, 2019

Name: Winter Storm and Winter Weather in California, November 29 to 30, 2019
Start: 2019-11-29T18:00
End: 2019-11-30T23:59
Location: California

November 29 to 30, 2019 · NWS STO · 6 events in 2 counties and zones

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 toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 6

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 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.

Event by event

4 winter storm, 2 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada

When: November 29, 6:00 PM PST to November 30, 5:30 AM PST
Where: West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways

Whiteout conditions brought an extended period of low to zero visibility to Interstate 80 over the Sierra. Blue Canyon Airport ASOS reported visibility less than 1/4 mile in heavy snow Friday evening through early Saturday. I-80 was shutdown 6 pm PST Friday November 29, 2019. Westbound I-80 was opened around 4:30 am and eastbound I-80 was reopened around 5:30 am on Saturday November 30, 2019. Other highways such as Highway 50 and Highway 20 were also intermittently shutdown throughout the night. Travel and commerce across I-80 over the Sierra was impacted for around 12 hours. Loss to commerce is generally projected to be $4.75 million an hour for an I-80 shutdown.

Winter Weather, West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada

When: November 30, 12:00 AM PST to 11:59 PM PST
Where: West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada forecast zone
Reported by: Public

Boreal Ski Resort reported 14 inches of new snow accumulation over a period of 24 hours. This report came in the morning of December 2, 2020 around 9:00AM.

Winter Weather, Burney Basin/Eastern Shasta County

When: November 30, 12:00 AM PST to 11:59 PM PST
Where: Burney Basin/Eastern Shasta County forecast zone
Reported by: Public

Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort reported 17 inches of new snow accumulation over a period of 24 hours. This report came in the morning of December 2, 2020 around 9:00AM.

Winter Storm, West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada

When: November 30, 12:00 AM PST to 11:59 PM PST
Where: West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada forecast zone
Reported by: Public

Bear Valley Ski Resort reported 21 inches of new snow accumulation over a period of 24 hours. This report came in the morning of December 2, 2020 around 9:00AM.

Winter Storm, West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada

When: November 30, 12:00 AM PST to 11:59 PM PST
Where: West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada forecast zone
Reported by: Public

Sugar Ski Resort reported 20 inches of new snow accumulation over a period of 24 hours. This report came in the morning of December 2, 2020 around 9:00AM.

Winter Storm, West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada

When: November 30, 12:00 AM PST to 11:59 PM PST
Where: West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada forecast zone
Reported by: Public

Kirkwood Ski Resort reported 46 inches of new snow accumulation over a period of 24 hours. This report came in the morning of December 2, 2020 around 9:00AM.

What these are

Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
Winter Weather: Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in California in 2019 Every state in 2019 This day in weather history Warnings 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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 867117, 869451, 869454, 869457, 869461, 869462.