High Wind and Strong Wind in California, February 21 to 23, 2023

Name: High Wind and Strong Wind in California, February 21 to 23, 2023
Start: 2023-02-21T17:27
End: 2023-02-23T05:00
Location: California

February 21 to 23, 2023 · NWS HNX · 36 events in 13 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 36 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: $7,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 36

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 cold upper trough pushed into central California between the afternoon of February 21 and the early morning of February 22. A cold front associated with this trough produced strong winds throughout much of the area. Several stations in the wind prone areas of the West Side Hills and in the Mountains and Deserts of Kern County measured gusts exceeding 60 mph with a few low impact indicator stations reporting gusts above 80 mph. There were also several reports of downed trees in the San Joaquin Valley.

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 Feb 21, 4:52 PM PST, 35 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 21, 4:52 PM PST, 35 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Hanford CA
452 PM PST Tue Feb 21 2023

.UPDATE...
Updated AIR QUALITY ISSUES section.

&&

.SYNOPSIS...
A series of storm systems will continue to impact central
California through the week. Strong gusty winds will continue
into Wednesday morning. Rain showers in the San Joaquin Valley
and low elevation snow in the foothills and Sierra Nevada will
begin overnight and periods of precipitation will continue through
the end of the week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Temperatures are again quite mild aver central California this
afternoon, but as the first shortwave impulse approaches our
area, a change is in store for the upcoming week. Gusty west to
northwest winds are increasing over the area and radar shows
scattered showers beginning to approach northern portions of our
area.

Ensemble model solutions continue to indicate waves of
precipitation impacting our area through the week, with cold
storms bringing substantial amounts of snow, with significant snow
accumulations down to lower elevations that aren't frequently
impacted by snow. The winds are the first to impact the area and
damaging wind gusts will continue over Kern County mountain and
desert areas through Wednesday morning. Strong gusty winds will
also continue in the San Joaquin Valley and west side hills
through early Wednesday morning.

Initially as the first wave of precipitation impacts our area
through Thursday, models continue to show generally around 1 to 2
tenths of an inch of rain in the San Joaquin Valley. Snow levels
will drop significantly and the lower foothill communities will
see a few inches of snow with around 2 feet of snow possible in
the higher elevations. Low elevation snow in Kern County will
also impact roadways there, including the major highway passes.

Additional waves of precipitation for the later part of the week
will bring as much as 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch of rain in the Valley
with as much as 2-3 feet of snow in the higher elevations. Lower
mountain communities will continue to see impactful snow
accumulations.

There will be a brief break from the storms by Sunday, but models
are advertising additional precipitation moving south into our
area by Monday and Tuesday.

&&

.AVIATION...
Expect areas of MVFR and local IFR with mountain obscurations as
developing rain and snow showers spread southward across central
California. Strong gusty winds will continue through Wednesday
morning, especially over the west side ridges and in the Kern
County desert and mountain areas. Mainly VFR conditions in the
Kern County desert. Blowing dust may reduce visibilities in the
Kern County desert areas through Wednesday morning, otherwise
they will see mainly VFR conditions.

&&

.AIR QUALITY ISSUES...
On Wednesday February 22 2023, Fireplace/Wood Stove Burning Status
is: No Burning Unless Registered in Fresno and Kern Counties.
Burning Discouraged in Kings, Madera, Merced, and Tulare Counties,
and Kern (Greater Frazier Park Area) and Sequoia National Park
and Forest.

&&

.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
and/or to provide feedback.

&&

.HNX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
High Wind Warning until 10 AM PST Wednesday for CAZ337>339.

Blowing Dust Warning from 8 PM this evening to 10 AM PST
Wednesday for CAZ337-339.

High Wind Warning until 7 AM PST Wednesday for CAZ300-308-313.

Winter Weather Advisory from 10 AM Wednesday to 4 PM PST
Thursday for CAZ300.

Wind Advisory until 7 AM PST Wednesday for CAZ301>307-309>312-
314>316.

Winter Storm Warning until 4 AM PST Saturday for CAZ318-320-
322>331.

Winter Storm Warning until 4 AM PST Saturday for CAZ332>336.

&&

public...JEB
aviation....JEB

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

28 high wind, 7 strong wind, 1 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.

High Wind, South End of the Upper Sierra

When: February 21, 5:27 PM PST
Where: South End of the Upper Sierra forecast zone
Measured: 83 kt (96 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 35.782, -118.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Bird Springs Pass RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 95 mph.

High Wind, Mojave Desert Slope(S)

When: February 21, 5:32 PM PST
Where: Mojave Desert Slope(S) forecast zone
Measured: 66 kt (76 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Blue Max RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 76 mph.

High Wind, Coalinga - Avenal

When: February 21, 5:50 PM PST
Where: Coalinga - Avenal forecast zone
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 36.417, -119.732 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Kettleman Hills RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 62 mph.

High Wind, West Side Mountains North of Highway 198

When: February 21, 6:10 PM PST
Where: West Side Mountains North of Highway 198 forecast zone
Measured: 55 kt (63 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 63 mph.

High Wind, Tehachapi

When: February 21, 6:14 PM PST
Where: Tehachapi forecast zone
Measured: 68 kt (78 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Jawbone Canyon RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 78 mph.

High Wind, Mojave Desert Slope(S)

When: February 21, 6:26 PM PST
Where: Mojave Desert Slope(S) forecast zone
Measured: 76 kt (87 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 88 mph.

Strong Wind, Fresno - Clovis

When: February 21, 6:49 PM PST
Where: Fresno - Clovis forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.758, -119.649 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

California Highway Patrol reported powerlines on the roadway on W. San Madele Ave. west of N. Forkner Ave. in Fresno.

High Wind, South End of the Lower Sierra

When: February 21, 6:50 PM PST
Where: South End of the Lower Sierra forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 35.782, -118.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Southern California Edison station at King George measured a peak wind gust of 59 mph.

High Wind, Kern River Valley

When: February 21, 6:55 PM PST
Where: Kern River Valley forecast zone
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 35.782, -118.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Southern California Edison Station at the Old Isabella Road Rec Site measured a peak wind gust of 60 mph.

High Wind, Kern River Valley

When: February 21, 6:57 PM PST
Where: Kern River Valley forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 35.782, -118.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Riverkern RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 58 mph.

High Wind, Mojave Desert Slope(S)

When: February 21, 7:00 PM PST
Where: Mojave Desert Slope(S) 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 at Grapevine Canyon Road Indian Wells Valley measured a peak wind gust of 81 mph.

Strong Wind, Hanford - Corcoran - Lemoore

When: February 21, 7:00 PM PST
Where: Hanford - Corcoran - Lemoore forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 36.351, -119.421 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An off duty NWS employee reported a downed large tree branch destroying a chain link fence in Hanford.

High Wind, South End of the Upper Sierra

When: February 21, 7:10 PM PST
Where: South End of the Upper Sierra forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 35.782, -118.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Southern California Edison station at Greenhorn Summit measured a peak wind gust of 58 mph.

High Wind, Kern River Valley

When: February 21, 7:30 PM PST
Where: Kern River Valley forecast zone
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 35.782, -118.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Southern California Edison Station at Paradise Cove measured a peak wind gust of 81 mph.

High Wind, Piute - Walker Pass (Basin?)

When: February 21, 8:00 PM PST
Where: Piute - Walker Pass (Basin?) 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 Walker Basin Sand Canyon measured a peak wind gust of 60 mph.

High Wind, Mojave Desert Slope(S)

When: February 21, 8:00 PM 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 Cottonwood Creek West measured a peak wind gust of 62 mph.

Strong Wind, Hanford - Corcoran - Lemoore

When: February 21, 8:00 PM PST
Where: Hanford - Corcoran - Lemoore forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: NWS Employee
Coordinates: 36.351, -119.421 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An off duty NWS employee reported damage from fallen trees in Hanford.

High Wind, Mojave Desert Slope(S)

When: February 21, 8:10 PM PST
Where: Mojave Desert Slope(S) 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 Southern California Edison Station at Little Oak Canyon measured a peak wind gust of 58 mph.

High Wind, Indian Wells Valley

When: February 21, 8:17 PM PST
Where: Indian Wells Valley forecast zone
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The China Lake NWTC ASOS measured a peak wind gust of 70 mph.

High Wind, West Side Mountains North of Highway 198

When: February 21, 8:20 PM PST
Where: West Side Mountains North of Highway 198 forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 36.975, -120.184 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Alcade RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 59 mph.

High Wind, West Side Mountains North of Highway 198

When: February 21, 8:27 PM PST
Where: West Side Mountains North of Highway 198 forecast zone
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 36.975, -120.184 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Panoche Road RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 58 mph.

High Wind, Mojave Desert Slope(S)

When: February 21, 8:30 PM PST
Where: Mojave Desert Slope(S) 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 Cameron Ridge measured a peak wind gust of 60 mph.

High Wind, Mojave Desert

When: February 21, 8:57 PM PST
Where: Mojave Desert forecast zone
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The North Edwards AFB ASOS measured a peak wind gust of 59 mph.

High Wind, Mojave Desert Slope(S)

When: February 21, 9:30 PM PST
Where: Mojave Desert Slope(S) forecast zone
Measured: 55 kt (63 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 KTIP Tower measured a peak wind gust of 63 mph.

High Wind, Tehachapi

When: February 21, 9:40 PM PST
Where: Tehachapi 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 Tehachapi East Valley measured a peak wind gust of 60 mph.

Strong Wind, Hanford - Corcoran - Lemoore

When: February 21, 9:44 PM PST
Where: Hanford - Corcoran - Lemoore forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.351, -119.421 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

California Highway Patrol reported a downed tree in the roadway on Lacey Blvd. at 21 1/2 Ave. near Lemoore.

Strong Wind, Fresno - Clovis

When: February 21, 9:54 PM PST
Where: Fresno - Clovis forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.758, -119.649 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

California Highway Patrol reported a 100 foot tree in the westbound lanes of E. Bullard Ave. and Amber Ave.

High Wind, Mojave Desert Slope(S)

When: February 21, 10:50 PM 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, South End of the Upper Sierra

When: February 21, 11:10 PM PST
Where: South End of the Upper Sierra forecast zone
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 35.782, -118.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Bear Peak RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 66 mph.

High Wind, Mojave Desert Slope(S)

When: February 21, 11:20 PM PST
Where: Mojave Desert Slope(S) forecast zone
Measured: 53 kt (61 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 Cottonwood Canyon measured a peak wind gust of 61 mph.

High Wind, Tehachapi

When: February 21, 11:53 PM PST
Where: Tehachapi 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 Tehachapi Mountain Park RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 59 mph.

High Wind, South End of the Upper Sierra

When: February 22, 1:00 AM PST
Where: South End of the Upper Sierra forecast zone
Measured: 59 kt (68 mph) measured gust
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 35.782, -118.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Walker Pass RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 68 mph.

High Wind, Tehachapi

When: February 22, 1:49 AM PST
Where: Tehachapi forecast zone
Measured: 58 kt (67 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A CWOP station in Tehachapi measured a peak wind gust of 67 mph.

Strong Wind, Caruthers - San Joaquin - Selma

When: February 22, 2:43 AM PST
Where: Caruthers - San Joaquin - Selma forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.489, -119.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

California Highway Patrol reported a downed powerline on S. East Ave north of E. American Ave.

Strong Wind, Fresno - Clovis

When: February 22, 4:12 AM PST
Where: Fresno - Clovis forecast zone
Measured: 35 kt (40 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 36.758, -119.649 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

California Highway Patrol reported a downed tree in the roadway on northbound SR 41 south of E. Shaw Ave.

Winter Weather, Tehachapi

When: February 22, 4:56 PM PST to February 23, 5:00 AM PST
Where: Tehachapi forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

SR 58 was closed through Tehachapi from the evening of February 22 until the morning of February 23 due to snow and icy road conditions which caused several vehicle spinouts and jackknifed tractor trailers.

What these are

High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in California in 2023 Every state in 2023 This day in weather history Warnings in California, February 2023

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: 1071354, 1071374, 1071394, 1071337, 1071342, 1071369, 1071395, 1071361, 1071389, 1071390, 1071373, 1071396, 1071360, 1071387, 1071364, 1071379, 1071397, 1071385, 1071392, 1071338, 1071341, 1071383, 1071366, 1071375, 1071348, 1071400, 1071401, 1071378, 1071359, 1071381, 1071349, 1071356, 1071352, 1071402, 1071403, 1075797.