A strong and very wet atmospheric storm brought extended periods of moderate to heavy rain and periods of strong winds to much of the region, along with heavy high-elevation snow. Precipitation totals were around 1-3 inches for the Central Valley, 3-6 inches in the foothills, and 5-8 inches of liquid equivalent in the mountains.
Every event with a place to put it. 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 STO wrote it up.
A strong and very wet atmospheric storm brought extended periods of moderate to heavy rain and periods of strong winds to much of the region, along with heavy high-elevation snow. Precipitation totals were around 1-3 inches for the Central Valley, 3-6 inches in the foothills, and 5-8 inches of liquid equivalent in the mountains. The rain brought widespread flooding to the region. This included significant river flooding on the Cosumnes River around Wilton due to multiple levee breaks, resulting in the area being evacuated and area highways and roads being closed, including SR-99. River flooding was also reported along the Mokelumne River near Benson's Ferry and Mormon Slough at Bellota. Flooding of streams, in low areas and from clogged storm drains also closed many other roads across Northern California, with several small communities being evacuated. Heavy snow also disrupted mountain travel, with multiple spinouts causing I-80 to be shut down for 18 hours. Highway 50 was closed in El Dorado County due to a combination of flooding and snow. High winds gusting 50-65 mph in the Central Valley caused large numbers of trees to fall, bringing widespread power failures across the area, with hundreds of thousands of customers impacted. Many local roads were closed to downed trees blocking them. Trees were also reported to have fallen on homes and automobiles. The storm with flooding continued into January, with several fatalities reported due to drowning and wind-downed trees.
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 Sacramento, CA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 26, 2:17 PM PST, 10 hours 13 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Sacramento CA 217 PM PST Mon Dec 26 2022 .SYNOPSIS... A storm storm will move into tonight-Tuesday bringing strong and damaging winds, moderate to heavy rain and heavy mountain snow. Multiple rounds of wet weather will continue through the week and into the weekend. && The dense fog and stratus cloud deck will be soon replaced with rain and winds as the first of several storm systems moves into the area tonight. Light showers, producing very light returns on radar have already begun this afternoon across northwest CA, only amounting to light rain and sprinkles. As the first weather system digs off the northern CA coast this evening, rain chances will continue to increase from west to east as warm air advection starts to develop over the area. Low-level winds will amplify this evening into Tuesday morning as the trough continues to dig, strengthening the warm front and bringing widespread moderate to heavy rain over NorCal. This system will tap into deep Pacific moisture with the Integrated Water Vapor (IVT) pushing upwards of 1000 kg/ms and PWATs 1.0-2.0". Moderate to heavy rain can also be expected along and ahead of the front. Activity will become more showery during for a time in the afternoon except over the mountains where upslope flow will keep widespread rain/snow going. Showers will become more widespread again during the evening and early overnight as a short wave trough axis pushes through. Mainly dry conditions will set in Wednesday morning into the afternoon as northwest flow develops. Localized flooding will be possible with this rain as streams and creeks rise and roadway flooding of poorly drained areas will become an issue as well. Some weak instability builds in right behind the cold front Tuesday and that may bring a thunderstorm or two during late morning into the early overnight mainly from around Stockton north. CAPE looks limited and the thunderstorm threat should remain isolated. The amplifying low level jet is going to bring strong winds to the area tonight into Tuesday. 850 mb winds increase to 50-70 knots ahead of the cold front with 700 mb winds 60-85 knots. Winds gusts from Sacramento north will be 40-55 mph with wind gusts possibly up to 65 mph east of I-5 from north of Chico to Redding. Gusts 35-50 mph are expected over the northern San Joaquin Valley. Gusts 50-85 mph are expected over the Mountains. With a good stream of deep Pacific moisture we will see high snow levels with the onset of the precip starting off at 7500-8500 feet. Cold air will begin to funnel in Tuesday afternoon and we will see snow levels start to fall, falling to 4500-5500 feet late Tuesday night. 6-24" of snow is expected above 5500 feet with up to 30-45 inches over the higher peaks. Some light accumulation will be possible down to 4500 feet Wednesday morning. QPF totals through Wednesday afternoon are looking to be 1.50-3" in the Valley, 2.50- 4.50" in the foothills, and 4-6" over the mountains. We are expecting a period of moderate to heavy rain but convective rain is looking limited, this should keep rain rates below burn scar thresholds. Dry weather is expected by late Wednesday morning, but is not expected to last long with rain and snow returning Wednesday night into Thursday as a short wave pushes to our north. This will bring another round of widespread precipitation. Snow levels Wednesday night will be 3500-4500 feet but they will be rising Thursday reaching 5500-6500 feet. Moisture will remain elevated over the region and light to moderate rain and heavy snow can be expected at times. Impacts with the mid-week system are not expected to be as high as the first storm tonight-Tuesday. -CJM/CP && .EXTENDED DISCUSSION (Friday THROUGH Monday)... The storm train is going to keep on rolling through the extended period. We will see another round of widespread precip Thursday night into Friday as another short wave trough pushes to our north. Moderate rain and heavy snow can be expected at times again with this wave. Another short wave will dig deeper over the Pacific Friday night into Saturday. This one will be able to pull in higher moisture levels and we will likely see a period of moderate to locally heavy rain along with heavy snow. This trough is looking to favor southern areas with the heaviest precip expected from about I-80 south. Some of the timing and location may change with these short wave toughs but unsettled wet weather will continue. It does look like we will see a break from rain and snow late Saturday night and throughout the day Sunday as a stronger short wave ridge builds in. Once again the break doesn't look to last long as additional short wave trough move in early next week bringing the return of rain and snow. -CJM && .AVIATION... Areas of IFR/LIFR conditions in the Valley through this afternoon, then VFR with areas of MVFR with isolated showers. Widespread MVFR/IFR/LIFR in rain and snow developing by 06Z. Surface wind gusts under 10 kts thru 00Z Tuesday, then widespread southerly surface wind gusts of 30-50 kts develop by 06Z in the Valley, and up to 55-65 knots over the Sierra. Isolated thunderstorms possible across portions of the northern Sacramento Valley and adjacent Sierra foothills 18Z Tue-02Z Wed. && .STO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... High Wind Warning from 10 PM this evening to 10 AM PST Tuesday for Burney Basin / Eastern Shasta County-Central Sacramento Valley-Motherlode-Northeast Foothills/Sacramento Valley-Northern Sacramento Valley-Shasta Lake Area / Northern Shasta County- Southern Sacramento Valley-West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada- Western Plumas County/Lassen Park. Wind Advisory from 10 PM this evening to 10 AM PST Tuesday for Carquinez Strait and Delta-Mountains Southwestern Shasta County to Western Colusa County-Northern San Joaquin Valley. Winter Storm Warning from 10 AM Tuesday to 10 AM PST Wednesday for West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada-Western Plumas County/Lassen Park. &&
The Sacramento radar (KDAX), 97 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 16:46 UTC.
28 flood, 4 high wind, 4 strong wind, 1 winter storm, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
The CHP reported a tree down on SR49 and SR 193 in Placerville. The Placerville Airport reported gusts up to 47 mph.
The CHP reported a tree down on SR49 and SR 193 in Placerville. The Placerville Airport reported gusts up to 47 mph.
The Redding Municipal Airport observed a gust of 60 mph at 0153 am. Sustained winds of 40 mph and greater began at 0135 am and ended at 0300 am. A tree down in Redding at Deschutes Rd and Balls Ferry Rd caused a collision, completely blocking the road.
The Redding Municipal Airport observed a gust of 60 mph at 0153 am. Sustained winds of 40 mph and greater began at 0135 am and ended at 0300 am. A tree fell across road on Highway 89 mile at marker 11 and 2 vehicles hit the tree. No injuries reported.
A large tree was reported down at McCourtney Rd. in Lincoln at 11:22 PST. Lincoln Airport measured a gust of 44 mph at 5:35 PST.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding near Pioneer School this morning, at SR88 and Defender Grade Road. Some rainfall totals over 24 hours were 3.44 inches at Mount Zion, 3.10 inches at Fiddletown 3.5 SE and 2.88 inches at Pioneer.
Downed phone lines were reported by Elk Grove Police at Bradshaw Rd. and Grant Line Rd at 11:22 PST. Sacramento Executive measured a gust of 40 mph at 9:48 PST.
The atmospheric river brought some heavy snow to high elevations, generally above 7,000 feet, with lighter accumulations down to 6,000 feet. Dodge Ridge Ski Resort measured 17 inches of new snow, Kirkwood 20 inches, Sierra at Tahoe 16 inches, Sugar Bowl 15 inches. Snow with some gusty winds brought lowered visibility as well as delays and chain controls at the Sierra passes, including Donner Pass on I-80 and Echo Summit on US Highway 50.
California Highway Patrol reported significant flooding in the #1 lane of the ramp off I-5 due to a clogged storm drain. Some rainfall totals over 24 hours were 1.26 inches at Mather, 1.46 inches at Fair Oaks.
Crews were dispatched for a washed out vehicle on Scott Rd at Deer Creek. Several teens were rescued from tree limbs after their vehicle was immobilized. No injuries reported. Some rainfall totals over 24 hours were 1.94 inches at Orangevale, 1.33 inches at Elk Grove, 1.50 inches at Folsom and 1.21 inches at Wilton.
Caltrans District 10 reported on Twitter that SR-49 was closed in Plymouth at Shenandoah Rd. due to flooding. The closure extended into El Dorado County. On the California Highway Patrol Incident log it was reported at 3:30 am that water was 2 ft deep and that at 5:40am the road was closed.
East Bidwell St / US 50 East offramp was flooded with a river of water flowing over the roadway offramp. Some rainfall totals over 24 hours were 1.94 inches at Orangevale, 1.33 inches at Elk Grove, 1.50 inches at Folsom and 1.21 inches at Wilton.
Deer Creek overflowing banks and flooding road with water and debris.
CHP reported the northbound lane of Rock Creek Rd near SR 193 closed due to rocks and mud with 6 yards of dirt in the roadway.
Roadway flooding at Hammer Ln underpass at the railroad tracks just east of Lorraine Ave.
CHP Placerville reported a mudslide just north of the Mosquito Bridge on Mosquito Rd. Foresthill reported a rainfall total of 2.67 inches over 24 hours.
CHP reported the roadway was blocked due to flooding at Lotus Rd. and Granite Creek Rd.
CHP reported the entire roadway flooded along SR 26 near Saint Andrews Rd.
CHP reported vehicles unable to pass due to flooded roads at Cold Springs Rd and Richard Ave.
CHP reported the roadway was blocked due to flooding at Athens Rd and Industrial Rd.
Caltrans and the CHP reported a roadway closure of US-50 due to flooding from Ice House Road to Meyers Road.
CHP reported the Cosumnes River Bridge at Bucks Bar Rd. was flooding.
US 50 was closed from Sly Park Rd. to Meyers due to flooding.
CHP Placerville reported a mudslide through a house.
CHP reported a mudslide through a house.
Cosumnes Fire Department reported a water rescue of persons stuck on a temporary island in the middle of Laguna Creek in East Elk Grove.
Multiple reports of roadways closed due to roadway flooding and vehicles stalling in water in Sacramento County since the morning.
Neighborhoods in Cameron Park were flooded, with videos showing flood waters rushing down the road and approaching homes. There were also multiple reports of roadway closures in western El Dorado County due to flooding.
El Dorado County Sheriff issued an evacuation order for a neighborhood with 50 homes in Cameron Park due to flooding of Deer Creek.
Fifteen people had to be rescued from the Castle Oaks mobile home park. Multiple homes and townhouses flooded in La Contenta.
OES said the roadway flooded with cars getting stuck & 15 people needed help.
Corral Hollow Rd closed between Highway 580 and the Alameda County line due to mudslides, multiple reports of road closures due to roadway flooding across San Joaquin County.
Flooding occurring in Wilton due to Cosumnes River Overtopping the levee. Evacuation Warning was issued by Sacramento County OES for residents of Wilton.
CHP reported SR99 N and Kansas Ave onramp in Modesto flooding, with lanes 1 and 3 flooded. SR99 was closed in both directions through around midnight.
Milton Road was closed for flooding. Vehicles were reported driving around the barricade.
There were many reports of trees uprooted & large branches down. Over 145,000 customers were without power in the Sacramento area due to falling trees knocking down several power lines in high winds. Power was still out for 40,000+ customers as of 9:30am on 1/1/2023. Sacramento International Airport reported sustained winds above 40 mph with wind gusts above 45 to 50 mph from 6:50 pm through 9 pm with a peak gust of 61 mph at 736 pm. Sacramento Executive Airport reported wind gusts above 45 mph from 6:50 pm through 9:25 pm with a peak gust of 64 mph at 814 pm. Sustained winds exceeded 40 mph from 7:45 pm to 9 pm. McClellan Airfield Airport reported wind gusts above 45 mph from 7:15 pm through 9:15 pm with a peak gust of 60 mph at 815 pm. Sustained winds exceeded 40 mph from 7:35 pm to 8:55 pm.
There were reports of a large number of large trees uprooted and tree limbs down due to high winds from 6:30 pm to 11 pm in San Joaquin, and Stanislaus Counties on December 31, 2022. Trees fell onto powerlines, causing significant number of power outages reported by PG&E. Multiple power outages continued into midday on January 1, 2022. Stockton Airport reported wind gusts above 45 mph from 9:50 pm through 10:25 pm with a peak gust of 54 mph at 10:20 pm.
Sacramento County OES confirmed the levee along the Cosumnes River breached in at least two locations overnight, causing flash flooding in the surrounding areas. Highway 99 between Dillard Rd and Grantline Rd was flooded with numerous vehicles stuck in flood waters, requiring water rescues. Highway 99 was closed around midnight due to flooding. Flooding continued into January 2023.
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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1073472, 1073505, 1073482, 1073486, 1073499, 1069226, 1073497, 1073560, 1069228, 1069229, 1069231, 1069232, 1069233, 1069234, 1069235, 1069236, 1069237, 1069238, 1069239, 1069240, 1069241, 1069242, 1069243, 1070649, 1073494, 1070651, 1070658, 1070656, 1070657, 1070659, 1070660, 1073122, 1073123, 1073444, 1073453, 1073492, 1073515, 1069225.