A large low pressure system dropped southeast out of the northeast Pacific into central California during the afternoon of December 1 which resulted in widespread precipitation across the area between the morning of December 1 until the morning of December 2. 5 and 3 inches of beneficial liquid precipitation while elevations above 6000 feet generally picked up between 1 to 2 feet of new snowfall.
Every event with a place to put it; 13 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 HNX wrote it up.
A large low pressure system dropped southeast out of the northeast Pacific into central California during the afternoon of December 1 which resulted in widespread precipitation across the area between the morning of December 1 until the morning of December 2. Much of the Sierra Nevada picked up between 1.5 and 3 inches of beneficial liquid precipitation while elevations above 6000 feet generally picked up between 1 to 2 feet of new snowfall. Much of the San Joaquin Valley picked up between a quarter and a half inch of rainfall with slightly higher amounts being picked up in Merced County while Kern County had noticeably less precipitation with most stations picking up between a tenth and two tenths of an inch of rainfall. In addition to the precipitation, several stations reported wind gusts exceeding 60 mph while a few low impact indicator sites in Kern County measured gusts exceeding 60 mph.
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 Nov 30, 4:24 PM PST, 11 hours 36 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Hanford CA 424 PM PST Wed Nov 30 2022 .UPDATE: Updated air quality issues section. && .SYNOPSIS... The next storm system will be responsible for major winter storm impacts in the Sierra Nevada and widespread, beneficial rain in the San Joaquin Valley Thursday and Thursday night. There will be a brief break in precipitation chances Friday, prior to another storm system impacting Central California this weekend with mountain snow and valley rain. && .DISCUSSION... An Eastern Pacific trough of low pressure will approach the west coast of the United States tonight. This trough of low pressure will move eastward across Central California Thursday afternoon into Thursday evening. Two to three feet of snow is likely in the Sierra Nevada above 7,000 feet Thursday and Thursday night. One to two feet of snow is probable in the Sierra Nevada from 5,000 feet to 7,000 feet Thursday and Thursday night. Three to six inches of snow is likely in the Sierra Nevada from 4,000 feet to 5,000 feet Thursday and Thursday night. One to three inches of snow is possible in the Sierra Nevada foothills from 2,000 feet to 4,000 feet Thursday night. An inch or less of snow is possible along Interstate 5 over Tejon Pass and along Highway 58 over Tehachapi Pass late Thursday night into Friday morning. As far as rain is concerned, one quarter of an inch to one half of an inch of rain is possible in the southern portion of the San Joaquin Valley Thursday and Thursday night. One half of an inch to one inch of rain is conceivable in the remainder of the San Joaquin Valley Thursday and Thursday night. One to two inches of rain is possible in the Sierra Nevada foothills, below the snow line, Thursday and Thursday night. Precipitation rates will be highest Thursday evening. Short wave ridging is expected Friday ahead of the next storm system this weekend. This storm system is also formidable, but a little less wet than the storm system Thursday and Thursday night. Be that as it may, Winter Storm Watches will likely be required for the Sierra Nevada. && .AVIATION... VFR conditions will prevail this afternoon into this evening. IFR conditions, with mountain obscurations, will begin in the Sierra Nevada late tonight. MVFR conditions are likely in the San Joaquin Valley from late Thursday morning through Thursday evening. && .AIR QUALITY ISSUES... On Thursday December 1 2022, Fireplace/Wood Stove Burning Status is: No Burning Unless Registered in Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, and Tulare Counties. Burning Discouraged in Merced County, and Kern (Greater Frazier Park Area) and Sequoia National Park and Forest. && .CERTAINTY... The level of certainty for days 1 and 2 is high. 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 and/or to provide feedback. && .HNX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Storm Warning from 4 AM Thursday to 4 AM PST Friday for CAZ323-326>330. Winter Weather Advisory from 10 AM Thursday to 4 AM PST Friday for CAZ331. && Public/Aviation/Fire Weather...BS PIO/DSS........................DS weather.gov/hanford
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
10 heavy snow, 3 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The Tuolumne Meadows SNOTEL (8600 feet) picked up an estimated 22 inches of new snowfall.
The Tenaya Lake SNOTEL (8150 feet) picked up an estimated 23 inches of new snowfall.
The Paradise Meadow SNOTEL (7676 feet) picked up an estimated 24 inches of new snowfall.
The Devil's Postpile SNOTEL (8004 feet) picked up an estimated 23 inches of new snowfall.
The Green Mountain SNOTEL (7900 feet) picked up an estimated 21 inches of new snowfall.
The Chilkoot Meadow SNOTEL (7150 feet) picked up an estimated 20 inches of new snowfall.
The Graveyard Meadow SNOTEL (6897 feet) picked up an estimated 18 inches of new snowfall.
The West Woodchuck Meadow SNOTEL (9209 feet) picked up an estimated 18 inches of new snowfall.
The State Lakes SNOTEL (10419 feet) picked up an estimated 18 inches of new snowfall.
The Volcanic Knob SNOTEL (10050 feet) picked up an estimated 18 inches of new snowfall.
The Blue Max RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 64 mph.
The Walker Pass RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 60 mph.
The Bird Springs Pass RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 61 mph.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in California in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in California, December 2022
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: 1058901, 1058903, 1058904, 1058905, 1058908, 1058910, 1058911, 1058912, 1058913, 1058914, 1058918, 1058917, 1058916.