Debris Flows and Flooding in California, December 13 to 14, 2021

Name: Debris Flows and Flooding in California, December 13 to 14, 2021
Start: 2021-12-13T04:00
End: 2021-12-14T22:00
Location: California

December 13 to 14, 2021 · NWS HNX · 53 events in 19 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 44 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: $23,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 53

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 HNX wrote it up.

A strong low pressure system dropped southeast out of the Gulf of Alaska on December 12 and intensified off the Pacific Northwest coast on December 13 pulling up some deep moisture which was pushed into central California during the afternoon. The precipitation intensified during the evening of December 13 through the morning of December 14 as the low carved out a deep upper trough which pushed across California during the afternoon of December 14. This system produced 2 to 4 inches of liquid precipitation over the Sierra Nevada from Sequoia National Park northward and 1 to 3 inches of liquid precipitation south of Sequoia Park. The precipitation fell mainly in the form of snow above 5500 feet and several high elevation SNOTELs estimated 2 to 4 feet of new snowfall. The snow level lowered to as low as 1500 feet during the evening of December 14 as the cooler airmass behind the system pushed into central California. Much of the San Joaquin Valley picked up between 1 to 2 inches of rainfall while the Kern County Mountains picked up between 0.75 and 1.5 inches of liquid precipitation. The Kern County Desert areas only picked up between a quarter and a half inch of rain at most locations due to rain shadowing. The storm produced widespread minor nuisance flooding in the San Joaquin Valley and Sierra foothills with a few rock slides noticed. Several roads were closed as a precaution and chain restrictions were implemented on some roads in the Sierra Nevada. The storm also produced strong winds over the West Side Hills as well as in the Grapevine and Tehachapi areas in Kern County. Several stations in these areas measured wind gusts exceeding 50 mph with a few locations near the Grapevine measuring brief gusts exceeding 70 mph.

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 Hanford, CA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 13, 2:06 AM PST, 1 hour 54 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 13, 2:06 AM PST, 1 hour 54 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Hanford CA
206 AM PST Mon Dec 13 2021

.SYNOPSIS...Precipitation will become more widespread on today
with moderate to heavy rain and mountain snow expected tonight
evening through Tuesday. Winds will increase late tonight with
breezy to windy conditions at times through Tuesday. A weaker
system will bring a little additional precipitation to the area on
Thursday.

&&
.DISCUSSION...
Radar continues to show typical precipitation aloft moving from
southwest to northeast as the atmospheric river moisture remains
generally above 6000 feet above mean sea level. Thus far just
light precipitation has been reported over Merced and Mariposa
counties. As is usually the case in AR events, deeper moisture
will need to spread southeast into the forecast area later today
for the precipitation to begin in earnest.

Forecast models continue to project this to be the case today with
the accumulating precipitation band spreading southeast through
the day and the heavier and more widespread rain and mountain snow
arriving this evening and continuing overnight. Kern County looks
to receive most of its rain and snow overnight tonight with it
continuing through much of the day Tuesday.

For snow levels, in the relatively warm AR airmass, expect snow
at or above generally 5500 feet in the Sierra with colder air
arriving late this evening. By mid morning on Tuesday snow should
be falling down to below 4000 feet in the Sierra and to pass level
in Kern County shortly there after. Winter storm warnings and
watches remain in effect for many areas through Tuesday.

Winds will buffet the West Side Mountains this morning and
increase in speeds over much of the area this afternoon through
Tuesday. Advisories are in place today for the West Side Mountains
and San Joaquin Valley. The high wind watch for the Fraizer
Mountain Communities...Grapevine and Tehachapi areas has been
upgraded to a high wind warning as models continue to indicate
gusts to over 70 mph on ridges and many areas of 50+ mph gusts
below gaps and canyons as the southerly flow really cranks up.

All of the precipitation and wind comes to an end by Tuesday
afternoon as the system begins to shift east of the area. Dry
weather returns on Wednesday before the next shortwave trough
drops through the area on Thursday. This systme is looking weaker
with each model run thus I don't see it as too significant a
player.

In the wake of the Thursday system, models build a ridge of high
pressure into the Great Basin and an easterly "Mono" wind event is
possible in this scenario. Will need to keep a watch on this
evolving pattern as this time of the year is the most likely to
get Mono wind conditions.

&&

.AVIATION...Precipitation spreading north to south after 18z with
areas of MVFR and local mountain obscuring IFR conditions from
Yosemite to Kings Canyon NP. Otherwise, VFR conditions will
prevail across the central CA interior for the next 24 hours.

&&

.AIR QUALITY ISSUES...
On Monday December 13 2021... Fireplace/Wood Stove Burning Status
is: No Burning Unless Registered in Fresno... Kern and Madera
Counties.
Further information is available at Valleyair.org

&&

.CERTAINTY...

The level of certainty for days 1 and 2 is medium.
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...
High Wind Warning from noon PST today through late tonight for
CAZ316-334>336.

Winter Storm Watch from late tonight through Tuesday evening for
CAZ333>336.

Wind Advisory until 4 AM PST Tuesday for CAZ301>307-309>311-313.

Winter Storm Warning until 10 PM PST Tuesday for CAZ323-326>330.

Winter Storm Warning from 10 AM this morning to 10 PM PST
Tuesday for CAZ331.

Wind Advisory until 4 AM PST Tuesday for CAZ300-308.

&&

public...Dudley
aviation....Dudley

weather.gov/hanford

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

26 heavy snow, 13 high wind, 5 flood, 3 strong wind, 3 debris flow, 2 winter weather, 1 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Rain, Merced

When: December 13, 4:00 AM PST to December 14, 3:39 PM PST
Where: Merced County, 3.44 mi NW of Gustine Arpt
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 37.300, -121.020

A trained spotter measured 2.25 inches of rainfall 2S Newman.

High Wind, West Side Mountains South of Highway 198

When: December 13, 6:30 AM PST
Where: West Side Mountains South of Highway 198 forecast zone
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 36.059, -119.398 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The PG&E station at Las Yuegas reported a peak wind gust of 62 mph.

High Wind, West Side Mountains North of Highway 198

When: December 13, 6:30 AM PST
Where: West Side Mountains North of Highway 198 forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 36.975, -120.184 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The PG&E station at Joaquin Ridge measured a peak wind gust of 65 mph.

High Wind, Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley

When: December 13, 9:00 AM PST
Where: Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 37.609, -119.874 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Crane Flat RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 58 mph.

Heavy Snow, South End of the Upper Sierra

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 6:45 PM PST
Where: South End of the Upper Sierra forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 35.782, -118.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A trained spotter measured 24.0 inches of new snow in Ponderosa.

Heavy Snow, Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 37.609, -119.874 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Lower Kibbie Ridge SNOTEL (6479 ft) picked up an estimated 24 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Sequoia Np

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: Sequoia Np forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.220, -118.800 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Chagoopa Plateau SNOTEL (9450 ft) picked up an estimated 39 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Kings Canyon Np

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: Kings Canyon Np forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.489, -119.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The State Lakes SNOTEL (10419 ft) picked up an estimated 44 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Sequoia Np

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: Sequoia Np forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.220, -118.800 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Upper Tyndall Creek SNOTEL (11443 ft) picked up an estimated 20 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, South End of the Upper Sierra

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: South End of the Upper Sierra forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 35.782, -118.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Wet Meadows SNOTEL (9019 ft) picked up an estimated 29 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Sequoia Np

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: Sequoia Np forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.220, -118.800 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Giant Forest SNOTEL (6650 ft) picked up an estimated 19 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Upper San Joaquin River

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: Upper San Joaquin River forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.988, -119.706 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Kaiser Point SNOTEL (9131 ft) picked up an estimated 27 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Sequoia Np

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: Sequoia Np forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.220, -118.800 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Green Mountain SNOTEL (7900 ft) picked up an estimated 31 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 37.609, -119.874 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Tuolumne Meadows SNOTEL (8600 ft) picked up an estimated 35 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 37.609, -119.874 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Gin Flat SNOTEL (7201 ft) picked up an estimated 27 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Upper San Joaquin River

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: Upper San Joaquin River forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.988, -119.706 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Chilkoot Meadow SNOTEL (7150 ft) picked up an estimated 31 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Kings Canyon Np

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: Kings Canyon Np forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.489, -119.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Charlotte Lake SNOTEL (11961 ft) picked up an estimated 38 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.758, -119.649 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The West Woodchuck Meadow SNOTEL (9209 ft) picked up an estimated 33 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.758, -119.649 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Huntington Lake SNOTEL (7020 ft) picked up an estimated 28 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.758, -119.649 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Tamarack Summit SNOTEL (7613 ft) picked up an estimated 27 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.758, -119.649 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Blackcap Basin SNOTEL (10300 ft) picked up an estimated 35 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 37.609, -119.874 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Ostrander Lake SNOTEL (8264 ft) picked up an estimated 32 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 37.609, -119.874 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Tenaya Lake SNOTEL (8160 ft) picked up an estimated 26 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 37.609, -119.874 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Paradise Meadow SNOTEL (7676 ft) picked up an estimated 32 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Kings Canyon Np

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: Kings Canyon Np forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.489, -119.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Bishop Pass SNOTEL (11972 ft) picked up an estimated 19 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Upper San Joaquin River

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: Upper San Joaquin River forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.988, -119.706 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Devils Postpile SNOTEL (8004 ft) picked up an estimated 34 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Grant Grove Area

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: Grant Grove Area forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.489, -119.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Big Meadows SNOTEL (7599 ft) picked up an estimated 35 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, Kings Canyon Np

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: Kings Canyon Np forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 36.489, -119.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Mitchell Meadow SNOTEL (9900 ft) picked up an estimated 46 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, South End of the Upper Sierra

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: South End of the Upper Sierra forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 35.782, -118.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Tunnel Guard Station SNOTEL (9000 ft) picked up an estimated 25 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow, South End of the Upper Sierra

When: December 13, 10:00 AM PST to December 14, 10:00 PM PST
Where: South End of the Upper Sierra forecast zone
Reported by: SNOTEL
Coordinates: 35.782, -118.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Pascoes SNOTEL (9153 ft) picked up an estimated 19 inches of new snowfall.

High Wind, West Side Mountains North of Highway 198

When: December 13, 5:20 PM PST
Where: West Side Mountains North of Highway 198 forecast zone
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 36.975, -120.184 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The PG&E station at Alcade reported a peak wind gust of 62 mph.

High Wind, Frazier Mountain Communities

When: December 13, 9:10 PM PST
Where: Frazier Mountain Communities forecast zone
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The PG&E station at Pelato Peak reported a peak wind gust of 70 mph.

Strong Wind, Mariposa - Madera Lower Sierra

When: December 13, 9:39 PM PST
Where: Mariposa - Madera Lower Sierra forecast zone
Measured: 39 kt (45 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $12,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.400, -119.834 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

California Highway Patrol reported a power pole and a transformer down on the road 6SW Coarsegold.

Strong Wind, Bakersfield

When: December 13, 9:51 PM PST
Where: Bakersfield forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

California Highway Patrol reported a power pole down on private property.

Strong Wind, Bakersfield

When: December 13, 10:01 PM PST
Where: Bakersfield forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

California Highway Patrol reported power lines hanging low partially blocking the road 5SW Lamont.

High Wind, Grapevine

When: December 13, 11:20 PM PST
Where: Grapevine forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The PG&E station 2W Lebec measured a peak wind gust of 58 mph.

High Wind, Grapevine

When: December 14, 12:00 AM PST
Where: Grapevine forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Southern California Edison station at the Lebec Service Station measured a peak wind gust of 59 mph.

High Wind, Mojave Desert Slope(S)

When: December 14, 1:40 AM PST
Where: Mojave Desert Slope(S) forecast zone
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Southern California Edison station at Quarry Access measured a peak wind gust of 62 mph.

High Wind, Grapevine

When: December 14, 3:10 AM PST
Where: Grapevine forecast zone
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Southern California Edison station 5NW Lebec reported a peak wind gust of 81 mph.

High Wind, Tehachapi

When: December 14, 3:20 AM PST
Where: Tehachapi forecast zone
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The PG&E station at Beartrap Road reported a peak wind gust of 70 mph.

High Wind, Mojave Desert Slope(S)

When: December 14, 3:26 AM PST
Where: Mojave Desert Slope(S) forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Indian Wells Canyon RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 69 mph.

High Wind, Grapevine

When: December 14, 4:13 AM PST
Where: Grapevine forecast zone
Measured: 71 kt (82 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Grapevine Peak RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 82 mph.

Winter Weather, Tehachapi

When: December 14, 5:00 AM PST to 10:00 PM PST
Where: Tehachapi forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Kern County Emergency Manager reported that several mountain community roads were closed due to snow and ice.

Winter Weather, Frazier Mountain Communities

When: December 14, 5:00 AM PST to 10:00 PM PST
Where: Frazier Mountain Communities forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Kern County Emergency Manager reported that several mountain community roads were closed due to snow and ice.

High Wind, Grapevine

When: December 14, 6:30 AM PST
Where: Grapevine forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Southern California Edison station at Grapevine measured a peak wind gust of 60 mph.

Debris Flow, Fresno

When: December 14, 7:28 AM PST to 10:28 AM PST
Where: Fresno County, 3.57 mi NE of Navelencia to 3.14 mi NE of Navelencia
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.721, -119.341

California Highway Patrol reported a rockslide along SR 180 west of Squaw Valley.

Flood, Fresno

When: December 14, 8:23 AM PST to 9:23 AM PST
Where: Fresno County, 1.05 mi SW of Clarks Corner to 1.13 mi SW of Clarks Corner
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.590, -119.394

California Highway patrol reported roadway flooding at the intersection of East Dinuba Ave. and South Alta Ave. east of Reedley.

Debris Flow, Fresno

When: December 14, 8:48 AM PST to 11:48 AM PST
Where: Fresno County, 0.49 mi SSW of Rock Haven to 0.45 mi ENE of Rock Haven
Cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 37.113, -119.322

California Highway Patrol reported a rockslide blocking the westbound lanes of SR 168 near Cressman Rd.

Flood, Kern

When: December 14, 10:46 AM PST to 11:46 AM PST
Where: Kern County, 1.11 mi WNW of Kern City to 1.26 mi WNW of Kern City
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.355, -119.038

California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding on the southbound lanes of SR 99 near the SR 58 intersection.

Flood, Tulare

When: December 14, 10:59 AM PST to 11:59 AM PST
Where: Tulare County, 0.59 mi N of Woodlake to 0.54 mi N of Woodlake
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.428, -119.100

California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding near the intersection of north Valencia Blvd. and West Cajon Ave. in Woodlake.

Flood, Kern

When: December 14, 12:29 PM PST to 1:29 PM PST
Where: Kern County, 0.59 mi WSW of Old River to 0.62 mi WSW of Old River
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.268, -119.130

California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding near the intersection Taft Highway and Buena Vista Rd. west of Bakersfield.

Flood, Kern

When: December 14, 12:33 PM PST to 1:33 PM PST
Where: Kern County, 2.33 mi W of Bealville to 2.16 mi WSW of Bealville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 35.266, -118.671

California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding along SR 58 7WNW of Keene.

Debris Flow, Tulare

When: December 14, 1:14 PM PST to 4:14 PM PST
Where: Tulare County, 4 mi NNE of Porterville to 2.03 mi ENE of Zante
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.123, -118.993

California Highway Patrol reported mud, rock and dirt covering most of North Plano St. near Lynch Dr.

What these are

Heavy Rain: Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
Heavy Snow: Snowfall reaching the local warning threshold without the other hazards of a winter storm.
Strong Wind: Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.
Winter Weather: Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.
Debris Flow: A fast-moving slurry of mud, rock and debris, usually on a slope soaked by heavy rain or stripped by a fire.
Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in California in 2021 Every state in 2021 This day in weather history Warnings in California, December 2021

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: 988985, 988913, 988916, 988914, 988953, 988954, 988955, 988956, 988957, 988958, 988959, 988960, 988962, 988963, 988964, 988965, 988966, 988967, 988968, 988969, 988970, 988971, 988972, 988973, 988974, 988975, 988976, 988977, 988978, 988979, 988911, 988909, 988920, 988921, 988922, 988915, 988919, 988917, 988908, 988910, and more.