High Wind and Strong Wind in California, January 29 to 31, 2020

Name: High Wind and Strong Wind in California, January 29 to 31, 2020
Start: 2020-01-29T10:00
End: 2020-01-31T04:00
Location: California

January 29 to 31, 2020 · NWS SGX · 15 events in 6 counties and zones

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.

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Floods
Wind
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Winter weather
Heat and drought
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Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $55,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 15

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 SGX wrote it up.

Surface high pressure situated over the Great Basin brought strong north winds to Southern California on January 29th and 30th, then strong east to northeast winds on the 31st. High winds impacted the San Bernardino Mountains first with strong north winds gusting to 65 mph on the 29th and 30th. Strong winds impacted more than just the usual mountain passes and canyons; strong winds reached the Inland Empire, resulting in significant impacts. Many trees were downed on homes and cars, and one home caught fire when a tree went down on it.

What forecasters said that day

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 San Diego, CA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 29, 9:23 AM PST, 37 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 29, 9:23 AM PST, 37 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Diego CA
923 AM PST Wed Jan 29 2020

.SYNOPSIS...
Santa Ana winds will strengthen today with gusty north to
northeast winds affecting most places over and west of the
mountains. Winds will peak tonight, only slightly weakening for
Thursday and Friday. A warming trend begins today and continues
through Saturday. The warmest days will be Friday and Saturday
when temperatures could reach the low 80s in some locations west
of the mountains. Cooler on Sunday, and more significantly Monday
as low pressure system moves through. This system will bring a
slight chance of showers late Sunday into Monday morning, along
with gusty west winds in the mountains and deserts.

&&

.DISCUSSION...FOR EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA INCLUDING ORANGE...
SAN DIEGO...WESTERN RIVERSIDE AND SOUTHWESTERN SAN BERNARDINO
COUNTIES...

This morning, the low clouds and fog in the valleys and coastal
areas have burned off or mixed out but some clouds are beginning
to form over the San Bernardino mtns. Northerly winds were beginning
to strengthen over the San Bernardino County mountains as the
upper low/trough moves into northern AZ and sfc pressure gradients
turn stronger offshore. Current pressure gradients are -7.2 mb
between San Diego and Tonopah NV, and several mountain locations
have reported wind gusts 35-45 mph in the last hour. Temperatures
are mostly a few degrees lower than at this time yesterday but as
humidity lowers, temperatures should rise faster than yesterday.
Temperatures today will be slightly above average except in the
High Desert, where temperatures will be slightly below seasonal
averages.

As the day progresses, northerly winds will become more
widespread spreading from north to south across the area. The
current weather pattern favors mountain wave formation along and
downwind of the mountain crests, especially for the San Bernardino
County Mountains, suggesting that at lower elevations the
strongest winds will occur intermittently. Current high
resolution model guidance shows strong winds making it to portions
of the Orange County and northern San Diego County coastal areas
today. Guidance continues to show that the strongest winds are
expected tonight into Thursday. Gusty northeast winds are expected
to continue through Friday morning in the mountains, foothills,
and inland Orange County. Winds will weaken by Friday afternoon,
but remain offshore through Saturday.

A warming trend starts today as high pressure builds over Southern
California. Temperatures will reach their peak Friday and Saturday
when high temperatures are expected to be 10 to 15 degrees above
seasonal averages.

An approaching low pressure system will bring a return of onshore
flow and cause temperatures to decrease Sunday and even more on
Monday with increasing clouds. High temperatures on Monday have
the potential to be up to 25 degrees cooler than what is expected
Friday and Saturday. This system will also bring stronger onshore
flow with gusty west winds in the mtns and deserts, an increase in
cloud cover, and a slight chance of precipitation to areas west
of the mountains. It looks like the most favored timeframe for
precipitation is Sunday night into Monday morning.

Fair and warmer again with weak offshore flow for next Tue and Wed
as the low pressure system moves east and high pressure begins to
build in from the west.

&&

.AVIATION...
281600Z...Mostly clear with unrestricted vis through tonight. North
to northeast surface winds of 20-35 kt with gusts to 50-60 kt in the
mountains and foothills continuing to develop this morning, peaking
this afternoon and evening, and diminishing tonight. Look for strong
up/downdrafts in lee of mountain ridges, intermittent mountain waves
and rotors to touch down in inland valleys along with areas of LLWS
west of the mountains.

&&

.MARINE...
Localized northeast wind gusts could exceed 25 kts between Camp
Pendleton and San Clemente Island at times today and tonight,
generating choppy and hazardous conditions briefly. No hazardous
marine weather is expected Thursday through Saturday, but strong
northwest winds could make conditions hazardous Sunday evening.

&&

.BEACHES...
Elevated surf and a high rip current risk will continue today.
Isolated sets could reach 6 feet in San Diego County.

&&

.SKYWARN...
Skywarn activation is not requested. However weather spotters are
encouraged to report significant weather conditions.

&&

.SGX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...Wind Advisory from 4 PM this afternoon to noon PST Friday for
     San Diego County Mountains.

     Wind Advisory until 6 PM PST this evening for Apple and Lucerne
     Valleys-Coachella Valley-San Diego County Coastal Areas-San
     Diego County Deserts.

     High Wind Warning until noon PST Friday for Riverside County
     Mountains-San Bernardino County Mountains-San Bernardino
     and Riverside County Valleys-The Inland Empire-San Gorgonio
     Pass Near Banning-Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills.

     Wind Advisory until noon PST Friday for San Diego County Valleys.

     Wind Advisory until 6 AM PST Thursday for Orange County Coastal
     Areas.

     Wind Advisory until noon PST Friday for Orange County Inland
     Areas.

PZ...NONE.

&&

PUBLIC...PG
AVIATION/MARINE/BEACHES...Connolly

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

9 high wind, 6 strong wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Strong Wind, San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys - the Inland Empire

When: January 29, 10:00 AM PST to 11:00 AM PST
Where: San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys - the Inland Empire forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 34.293, -116.086 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A large tree fell and crushed a parked car on the 7100 block of Orchard Street in Riverside. Wind gusts at nearby Riverside Airport were around 35-40 mph at the time. Wind gusts at Box Springs SCE site on a ridge just to the east were 57 mph at 1030 PST and 62 mph at 1200 PST. Photos shared by Riverside Fire Department. No injuries reported.

High Wind, San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys - the Inland Empire

When: January 29, 11:00 AM PST to 12:00 PM PST
Where: San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys - the Inland Empire forecast zone
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 34.293, -116.086 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Ontario Airport ASOS reported a peak wind gust of 53 knots around 1130 PST on 1/29.

Strong Wind, San Diego County Coastal Areas

When: January 29, 1:00 PM PST to 3:00 PM PST
Where: San Diego County Coastal Areas forecast zone
Measured: 39 kt (45 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Coast Guard
Coordinates: 33.028, -116.770 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Coast Guard reported 7.5 ft swells with 40+ knot gusts not allowing for a small boat launch for search and rescue effort in Oceanside Harbor.

Strong Wind, San Diego County Coastal Areas

When: January 29, 1:00 PM PST to 2:00 PM PST
Where: San Diego County Coastal Areas forecast zone
Measured: 30 kt (35 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 33.028, -116.770 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Tree blown down by strong winds at Forrestal drive and Santa Margarita road around 1300 PST on 1/29, taking out primary power lines which fell across the road. Winds estimated to be around 30 knots at the time.

High Wind, Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills

When: January 29, 1:00 PM PST to 2:00 PM PST
Where: Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 33.483, -116.847 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Fremont Canyon reported a peak wind gust of 56 knots around 1350 PST on 1/29.

High Wind, San Bernardino County Mountains

When: January 29, 2:00 PM PST to 3:00 PM PST
Where: San Bernardino County Mountains forecast zone
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 34.841, -116.178 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Devil Canyon reported a peak wind gust of 60 knots around 1500 PST on 1/29.

Strong Wind, Riverside County Mountains

When: January 29, 2:00 PM PST to 3:00 PM PST
Where: Riverside County Mountains forecast zone
Measured: 30 kt (35 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $15,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 33.744, -115.994 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A large tree pine tree fell on a home in Pine Cove (near Idyllwild), damaging the roof around 1530 PST on 1/29. Wind gusts reported by the nearby Marion Ridge SCE station were around 30 knots at the time.

High Wind, San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys - the Inland Empire

When: January 29, 3:00 PM PST to 4:00 PM PST
Where: San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys - the Inland Empire forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 34.293, -116.086 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Two large trees were downed just southwest of Grand Terrace around 1550 PST on 1/29. Wind gusts were approximately 50 knots at the time.

High Wind, San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys - the Inland Empire

When: January 29, 3:00 PM PST to 4:00 PM PST
Where: San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys - the Inland Empire forecast zone
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 34.293, -116.086 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Lake Mathews reported a peak wind gust of 54 knots at 1515 PST on 1/29.

Strong Wind, San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys - the Inland Empire

When: January 29, 3:00 PM PST to 4:00 PM PST
Where: San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys - the Inland Empire forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 34.293, -116.086 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A 75-foot tree fell on a home and the home caught fire not long after around 1500 PST on 1/29. This was on Newell Street just west of Box Springs. Box Springs SCE site reported northeast wind gust to 58 mph at the time. Nearby but further west at Riverside Airport and a home weather station reached 40 mph.

High Wind, Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills

When: January 29, 4:00 PM PST to 5:00 PM PST
Where: Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills forecast zone
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 33.483, -116.847 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Bell Canyon RAWS reported a peak wind gust of 53 knots at 1650 PST on 1/29.

High Wind, San Bernardino County Mountains

When: January 29, 5:00 PM PST to 6:00 PM PST
Where: San Bernardino County Mountains forecast zone
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 34.841, -116.178 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heaps Peak reported a peak wind gust of 55 knots around 1715 PST on 1/29.

Strong Wind, San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys - the Inland Empire

When: January 29, 6:00 PM PST to 7:00 PM PST
Where: San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys - the Inland Empire forecast zone
Measured: 39 kt (45 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 34.293, -116.086 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Trees uprooted or snapped and roof damage in Rancho Cucamonga around 1830 PST on 1/29. Winds were gusting to around 45 mph at the time of the report.

High Wind, San Diego County Mountains

When: January 30, 11:00 PM PST to January 31, 12:00 AM PST
Where: San Diego County Mountains forecast zone
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 33.028, -116.770 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Sill Hill reported a peak wind gust of 70 knots at 2340 PST on 1/31.

High Wind, San Diego County Mountains

When: January 31, 3:00 AM PST to 4:00 AM PST
Where: San Diego County Mountains forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 33.028, -116.770 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Boulder Creek reported a peak wind gust of 57 knots at 0350 PST 1/31.

What these are

Strong Wind: Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.
High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in California in 2020 Every state in 2020 This day in weather history Warnings in California, January 2020

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: 872443, 872442, 872434, 872481, 872504, 872432, 872479, 872435, 872441, 872505, 872438, 872436, 872506, 872430, 872431.