A stronger storm system impacted Southern California on New Year's Eve with heavier precipitation and higher winds. Multiple reports of flooding and high winds were received on New Year's Eve alone.
Every event with a place to put it; 5 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 SGX wrote it up.
A stronger storm system impacted Southern California on New Year's Eve with heavier precipitation and higher winds. Multiple reports of flooding and high winds were received on New Year's Eve alone. Heavy precipitation and wind continued into January 1st with impacts detailed in a different episode.
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 Dec 31, 3:43 AM PST, 2 hours 17 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Diego CA
343 AM PST Sun Dec 31 2022
.SYNOPSIS...
A deepening Pacific storm is swinging across California today.
Even though the heaviest precipitation has ended, gusty westerly
winds will continue today, with scattered rain and snow showers
through tonight, especially over the mountains. Look for a break in
the action on Monday, but a strong Pacific jet stream will continue
to take aim at California, with a series of disturbances on track to
deliver periods of significant rain and mountain snow much of the
week. With the abundance of clouds and precipitation, the days will
remain cool
&&
.DISCUSSION...FOR EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA INCLUDING ORANGE...
SAN DIEGO...WESTERN RIVERSIDE AND SOUTHWESTERN SAN BERNARDINO
COUNTIES...
At 3 AM PST...radar and gage reports still showed some pockets of
heavy rain over San Diego County, but it was moving steadily
eastward into the mountains. There were numerous reports of
street flooding overnight. An updated rainfall report is headlined
on our website featuring 3-5 inch totals in the mountains so far.
Scattered, mostly light showers were filling in behind the main
frontal band this morning. Based on the latest weather reports from
remote sites, the snow level is still likely above 6500 feet, but
should be coming down quickly this morning as drier and cooler air
filters in behind the front. Strongest wind reports remain S-SW at
45-55, but west winds were gusty along the coast too with reports up
to 35 mph at several sites. There are a number of winter and wind
advisories in effect today across the region.
A strong and nearly zonal jet, stretching the length of the Pacific
Ocean, is on track to deliver a number of disturbances onto the
California Coast this week. Today's system is in the process of
amplifying inland, and even though precipitation is winding down
here, more instability flowing south around it will maintain a
chance of showers through tonight, especially over our mountains and
southern San Diego County. The snow levels are in the process of
lowering, so additional showers will be capable of some light snow
accumulations down to around 5500 feet until the storm gets farther
east of us. We will also continue to see gusty westerly winds,
especially near the coast, and from the mountain ridges into the
deserts. The combination of strong west wind and additional freezing
precipitation onto our peninsular ranges has prompted the issuance
of a Winter Weather Advisory through this evening.
For Monday, the storm system will have moved far enough east to
allow for some partial clearing and drying. Temperatures will still
be a bit below average though, due to the onshore flow and a deep
marine layer. For Monday night, another wave in the powerful zonal
jet over the Pacific will be approaching the coast. This will be
accompanied by another surge of Pacific moisture, sufficient for
widespread light to moderate precipitation. The snow levels will be
lower as well, so some light accumulations are likely as low as 5000
feet. This wave will continue rapidly east of the area by mid
Tuesday morning, but will leave behind a deep moist layer, still
capable of periods of light precipitation into Wednesday. POPS
remain elevated as a large number of ensemble members of both the
GFS/EC models still show some light QPF.
Of more significance continues to be the following wave in the jet
stream, which the models show amplifying into a major storm center
about 650 miles west of Cape Mendocino Wednesday morning. A strong
cold from trailing this system sweeps into northern and central
parts of the state with more heavy rain and mountain snow Wed
night/Thu. This will work south and has a chance to bring SoCal
another round of potentially heavier precipitation on Thursday.
The ensemble solutions of numerous model runs have been highlighting
this period, so confidence is better for wet weather here then, as
opposed to Wednesday.
The weather pattern will be unsettled over the West Coast for some
time, so expect forecast revisions and stay tuned for updates as we
go through this first week of 2023. Happy New Year!
&&
.AVIATION...
011100Z...BKN-OVC low clouds with variable bases between 600 and
2500 feet MSL will continue early this morning, gradually becoming
SCT-BKN with bases 1500 to 3000 feet MSL later this morning through
this afternoon. SHRA is occurring mostly in San Diego County this
morning, with vis restrictions of 1-4 miles accompanying heavier
SHRA. SHRA will gradually taper off from northwest to southeast
later this morning, though SHRA/SHSN are expected to continue in the
mountains through this evening.
In the San Bernardino Mountains, south-southwest winds gusting 40-50
kt will weaken through 20Z. In the Riverside and San Diego County
mountains and deserts, winds will peak at 50-60 kt this morning into
this afternoon, then weaken this evening. Moderate to strong
up/downdrafts and LLWS will occur over/east of the mountains.
&&
.MARINE...
Strong winds and hazardous seas will continue through this evening.
Northwest winds of 20-30 kt with gusts 35-40 kt are expected over
the coastal waters. A Gale Warning has been posted for the outer and
inner waters. Combined seas of 10 to 15 feet are likely today,
highest in the outer waters, with the dominant periods of 8-10
seconds, resulting in steep seas.
Additional storms could bring more strong winds and hazardous seas
throughout the week. Mariners should continue to monitor the
forecast in the upcoming days.
&&
.BEACHES...
A west-northwest swell of 10-15 feet from 280-290 degrees at 8-10
seconds will produce high surf at the beaches through Monday, with
sets of 5 to 8 feet. Higher sets to 9 feet could occur in southern
San Diego County. A High Surf Advisory is in effect Sunday through
Monday. The relatively short period of the swell will be the
limiting factor despite high seas in the coastal waters. Surf will
gradually diminish Monday, though more Pacific storms could bring
elevated to high surf Wednesday through Saturday of next week.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
The heavy rain potential has ended for Southern California today,
but showers will continue and runoff will still affect streams and
rivers. Additional showers today will be scattered and snow levels
will lower, reducing runoff on the coastal mountain slopes. The
River Forecast center has the San Diego River reaching 7.7 feet by
midday. This will impact low water crossings in Fashion Valley.
After a brief break on Monday, another system will move into the
region Monday night through Tuesday. This one is not as strong as
the system overnight, so rainfall rates are expected to remain
moderate. Initial forecast storm totals are around one inch in the
mountains, with around one-half inch coast and valleys. Deserts
should see under one-quarter inch. Expect further revisions in these
estimates by Monday.
Since the soils will be nearly saturated, there will be runoff in
creeks and streams, and some local ponding of water will be likely
again in urban and poorly drained areas. Mainstem rivers, already
elevated form today's storms should have a better response than they
would otherwise with the amount of rain forecast.
The unsettled situation continues much of the week. Wednesday has a
chance for some brief drying, but precipitation is unlikely to end
completely. Another significant event is likely by Thursday. This
will leave little time for drying, so once again, expect significant
runoff and elevated stream and river levels.
&&
.SKYWARN...
Skywarn activation is not requested. However weather spotters are
encouraged to report significant weather conditions.
&&
.SGX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...Wind Advisory until 4 PM PST this afternoon for Orange County
Coastal Areas-Orange County Inland Areas-San Bernardino and
Riverside County Valleys-The Inland Empire-San Diego County
Coastal Areas-San Diego County Valleys-Santa Ana Mountains
and Foothills.
High Surf Advisory until 6 PM PST Monday for Orange County
Coastal Areas-San Diego County Coastal Areas.
Winter Weather Advisory until 10 PM PST this evening for
Riverside County Mountains-San Bernardino County Mountains-
San Diego County Mountains.
Wind Advisory until 7 PM PST this evening for Coachella Valley-
San Diego County Deserts-San Gorgonio Pass Near Banning.
PZ...Gale Warning until 8 PM PST this evening for Coastal Waters from
San Mateo Point to the Mexican Border and out to 30 nm-
Waters from San Mateo Point to the Mexican Border Extending
30 to 60 nm out including San Clemente Island.
&&
PUBLIC/HYDROLOGY...10
AVIATION/MARINE/BEACHES...ConnollyThe San Diego radar (KNKX), 134 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 06:59 UTC.
5 high wind, 1 flood, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
High winds occurred across the San Gorgonio Pass on December 31st. A peak wind gust of 60 mph occurred at the Whitewater RAWS site.
High winds occurred across the San Diego County Mountains on December 31st. A peak wind gust of 60 mph occurred at an observation site on Cuyamaca Peak.
High winds occurred across the Riverside County Mountains during the afternoon and evening on December 31st. A peak wind gust of 79 mph occurred at the Toro Peak HPWREN site.
High winds occurred across the San Bernardino County Mountains during the afternoon and evening on December 31st. A peak wind gust of 75 mph occurred at the Lytle Creek SoCal-Edison Site. Similar wind speeds occurred at the Cajon Lookout SoCal-Edison site.
High winds occurred across the Apple and Lucerne Valleys during the evening on December 31st. A peak wind gust of 62 mph occurred at the Lucerne Valley SoCal-Edison Site.
Public report of flooding across all lanes on SR-22 East at Main Street. Rainfall totals generally between 0.70 and 1.20 inch occurred across this area on New Year's Eve, with localized higher totals.
Orange County Fire Authority reported 2 vehicles stuck in water on the 4th Street off-ramp on SR-55 Northbound. Occupants were stuck inside and on top of their vehicles and required rescuing. Rainfall totals generally between 1.10 and 1.75 inch occurred in this area on New Year's Eve.
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: 1068276, 1068278, 1068271, 1068272, 1068273, 1068269, 1068270.