An upper trough typical of early February swept eastward across northwest California and produced coastal hail and mountain snow.
Every event with a place to put it; 2 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. 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 EKA wrote it up.
An upper trough typical of early February swept eastward across northwest California and produced coastal hail and mountain snow.
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 Eureka, CA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 2, 2:38 PM PST, 7 hours 22 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Eureka CA
238 PM PST Tue Feb 2 2021
.SYNOPSIS...Showers occurring across interior portions of
northwest California will dissipate during the early evening.
However, a strong cold front is forecast to move south across the
region tonight into Wednesday morning. Heavy showers and gusty
winds are likely with the frontal passage. A dry weather pattern
will then develop across the region Thursday into the weekend.
&&
.DISCUSSION...A weakly unstable low-level airmass aided in light
shower development over interior portions of NWRN CA this
afternoon. Those showers will generally dissipate this evening
with the loss of daytime heating. However, a compact upper
disturbance is forecast to quickly enter the region tonight. A
strong surface cold front will subsequently sweep southward during
early to mid Wednesday morning. Near-advisory level westerly
winds will be probable along the coast and exposed ridges with the
frontal passage. In addition, a band of convectively enhanced
shower activity appears probable. Furthermore, a few thunderstorms
can't be ruled out in the vicinity of Crescent City. Snow levels
are also forecast to range from 2000-2500 feet over Humboldt and
Trinity Counties, which will be sufficient for advisory level
snowfall across the passes of highway 299, 3, and 36.
After the Wednesday frontal passage, a dry and subsident large-
scale regime will develop across the region as an upper ridge
builds over the NERN PAC. Clear skies will be probable Thursday
morning, which will favor strong radiational cooling and cold
morning lows across most of the area. In addition, frost and fog
will be possible across most valleys and coastal areas. Model
guidance indicates dry weather will continue into the weekend,
followed by another progressive frontal system impacting the EKA
CWA Monday and Tuesday.
&&
.AVIATION...Widely scattered light rainshowers (-SHRA) passed
across the region through much of the day; occasional MVFR
conditions accompanied some of these passing showers. By mid-
morning, some inland valley locations, such as UKI, reported IFR
cloud bases when VFR Cigs scattered out. Prevailing winds remained
generally light across the region today. Tonight through
Wednesday another round of impactful flight hazards will start in
the evening/tonight as an approaching weather system drops down
from the northwest bringing: increasing showers, MVFR Cigs/Vsbys,
gusty winds and another round of low level wind shear. /TA
&&
.MARINE...Small craft conditions have temporarily come to an end
this afternoon. However, a cold front will enter our near coastal
and offshore waters later tonight. A Gale warning in the Northern
inner and outer waters reflects where gusty WSW winds are
expected to first make impacts with gusts up to 40 kt. Those winds
will briefly occur across the southern waters during mid to late
morning as well. After Wednesday, high pressure will set up
offshore and aid in the development of strong northerly breezes.
In addition, a mix of locally derived wind waves, and NW swell
will produce steep seas later in the week. /EYS
&&
.EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...Winter Weather Advisory from 10 PM this evening to 4 PM PST
Wednesday for CAZ105>108.
NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS...Gale Warning from 7 AM to
10 AM PST Wednesday for PZZ455.
Gale Warning from 1 AM to 7 AM PST Wednesday for PZZ450-470.
Gale Warning from 4 AM to 10 AM PST Wednesday for PZZ475.
&&
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For forecast zone information
see the forecast zone map online:
https://www.weather.gov/images/eka/zonemap.pngHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Eureka CA 212 PM PST Tue Feb 2 2021 CAZ101>104-109>115-032215- Coastal Del Norte-Del Norte Interior-Northern Humboldt Coast- Southwestern Humboldt-Mendocino Coast- Northwestern Mendocino Interior-Northeastern Mendocino Interior- Southwestern Mendocino Interior-Southeastern Mendocino Interior- Northern Lake County-Southern Lake County- 212 PM PST Tue Feb 2 2021 This hazardous weather outlook is for northwest California. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. CAZ105>108-032215- Northern Humboldt Interior-Southern Humboldt Interior- Northern Trinity-Southern Trinity- 212 PM PST Tue Feb 2 2021 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 PM PST WEDNESDAY... This hazardous weather outlook is for northwest California. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. A Winter Weather Advisory is currently in effect. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. A Winter Weather Advisory is currently in effect. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
2 winter weather, 1 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
Spotter reports 2.5 inches of snow at an elevation of 3000 feet.
Six inches of snow at an elevation of 3700 feet.
Spotter reports 2 inches of snow at an elevation of 2100 feet.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in California in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in California, February 2021
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: 937989, 937991, 937990.