A large cold upper low pressure system dropped slowly southward off the California coast on February 24 and 25. 5 to 3 inches of liquid precipitation between the early morning of February 24 and the late morning of February 25 to the Sierra Nevada and adjacent foothills as well as to the Tehachapi Mountains and the San Joaquin Valley.
Every event with a place to put it; 26 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 cold upper low pressure system dropped slowly southward off the California coast on February 24 and 25. This system brought 1.5 to 3 inches of liquid precipitation between the early morning of February 24 and the late morning of February 25 to the Sierra Nevada and adjacent foothills as well as to the Tehachapi Mountains and the San Joaquin Valley. This was a cold storm with snow levels lowering from around 3000 feet during the morning of February 24 lowering to 1500 to 2000 feet during the morning of February 25 with some locations near 1000 feet picking up some light snowfall while higher elevations generally picked up between 2 and 4 feet of new snowfall. The snowfall resulted in several mountain roads being closed for extended periods of time. In addition several reports of flooding were observed in the San Joaquin Valley and the lower Sierra foothills resulting in additional road closures. The low moved across southern California during the evening of February 25 and east of the area during the morning of February 26.
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 23, 3:27 PM PST, 8 hours 33 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Hanford CA 327 PM PST Thu Feb 23 2023 .UPDATE...Updated air quality issues section. && .SYNOPSIS... Series of potent winter storms continue to bring widespread impacts across the district. Heavy snow in the mountains and snow in the foothills will likely cripple travel through Saturday. A window for moderate rainfall may lead to nuisance flooding in the southern portion of the San Joaquin Valley Friday through Saturday morning. A break in activity is forecast Sunday, before another system impacts the region next Monday through Wednesday. && .DISCUSSION...A transitional period from yesterday's shortwave to tomorrow's storm is in the forecast for today, which means cool, showery activity is likely to continue through the afternoon. Snow levels should remain low today, with snow levels around 1000 feet in the early morning hours rising to around 2000 feet later in the afternoon. Some instability aloft exists again today, so showers and perhaps an isolated rumble of thunder in the valley can't be ruled out. Any shower that passes over the mountain passes in Kern County today will likely be detrimental to travel due to low snow levels. Similar concerns exist for Sierra Nevada foothill communities. The next part of the storm system will encroach upon the forecast area later this evening as a coastal-hugger. Moderate precip ahead of the front is forecast to begin impacting the region later this evening into Friday morning, leading to more heavy snow above the snow line for our mountain and foothill communities. A strong offshore gradient is also forecast to be realized by later this evening and Friday morning, leading to strong wind gusts occuring once again in the San Joaquin Valley which is where a Wind Advisory is in place. Strong winds may also impact the coastal range and lower Sierra Nevada foothills. This system has some southwesterly fetch associated with it, so snow levels are expected to rise Friday morning. As Friday progresses, snow levels are expected to rise to about 5000 feet in the southern portions of the forecast area by early afternoon. This is slightly higher than previous runs of the NBM. Late Friday morning and early afternoon is also when the cold front associated with the coastal hugger is expected to have the most significant impacts across the region, especially Kern County. Areas below the snowline could see moderate to heavy rain, and areas above the snowline will likely see a combination of strong winds and heavy snow. Travel will be difficult to near impossible during the passage of the cold front, especially over the mountain passes in Kern County. The Sierra Nevada will also see extreme impacts due to impressive snow amounts and strong winds per WPC's WSSI tool. Elevations above 5000 feet Friday morning through Saturday afternoon could see as high as 5-6 feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada. 3-4 feet of snow may fall above 5000 feet in the Tehachapi Mountains in the same time frame. NBM guidance has been trending slightly warmer and wetter with this system for Friday. Some nuisance flooding concerns could emerge late Friday morning and Friday afternoon/evening, possibly lasting into Saturday morning. The extreme forecast index does show an area of higher QPF in the south valley for late Friday morning lasting through Saturday morning. Went ahead an issued a Flood Watch from 10 AM Fri through 10 AM Sat for the southern portion of the San Joaquin Valley in the event heavy rain materializes there after the strongest winds associated with the front subside. Confidence is somewhat limited on how this event unfolds due to the unpredictable nature of coastal-hugger systems, though. Snow levels are forecast to fall back below 3000 feet on Saturday as the cold core portion of the Friday system passes over head. Low elevation snow showers are forecast to continue through Saturday afternoon before subsiding Saturday night. A break from the active weather pattern is forecast on Sunday as shortwave ridging is being advertised by ensemble models. Day 4 and 5 cluster analysis is showing appreciable agreement on another trough pattern developing over the Eastern Pacific. This means confidence of the active weather pattern is rising for Monday through Wednesday of next week for valley rain and mountain snow. && .AVIATION... Areas of MVFR and local IFR with mountain obscurations as developing rain and snow showers continue across the Central California Interior today. Otherwise VFR conditions are expected to prevail. && .AIR QUALITY ISSUES...On Friday February 24 2023, Fireplace/Wood Stove Burning Status is: Burning Discouraged in Fresno, Kern, 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 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 Weather Advisory until 4 PM PST this afternoon for CAZ300. Wind Advisory from 7 PM this evening to 4 PM PST Friday for CAZ300>308-317. Wind Advisory from 3 AM to 4 PM PST Friday for CAZ309>316-319- 321. Flood Watch from Friday morning through Saturday morning for CAZ309-310-314>316. Winter Weather Advisory until 4 PM PST Saturday for CAZ317-319- 321. Winter Storm Warning until 4 PM PST Saturday for CAZ318-320- 322>333. Blizzard Warning until 4 PM PST Saturday for CAZ323-326>331. Winter Storm Warning until 11 PM PST this evening for CAZ334>336. Winter Storm Warning from 8 PM Friday to 4 PM PST Saturday for CAZ334>336. Blizzard Warning from 11 PM this evening to 8 PM PST Friday for CAZ334>336. && JMC weather.gov/hanford
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
41 flood, 14 heavy snow, 11 high wind, 4 heavy rain, 1 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
Public report in Clovis of measured rainfall of 1.53 inches of rainfall inches of rainfall on February 24 and an additional 1.68 inches during the morning of February 25 for a total of 3.21 inches.
A trained spotter measured 2.63 inches of liquid precipitation south of Yosemite Lakes.
Public report in Visalia of measured rainfall of 2.50 inches of rainfall inches of rainfall on February 24 and an additional 0.60 inches during the morning of February 25 for a total of 3.10 inches.
Public report in Dinuba of measured rainfall of 3.26 inches of rainfall on February 24 and the morning of February 25.
The Tamarack Summit SNOTEL (7613 feet) picked up an estimated 36 inches of new snowfall.
The Green Mountain SNOTEL (7900 feet) picked up an estimated 31 inches of new snowfall.
The Graveyard Meadow SNOTEL (6897 feet) picked up an estimated 34 inches of new snowfall.
The West Woodchuck Meadow SNOTEL (9209 feet) picked up an estimated 39 inches of new snowfall.
The Lower Kibble Ridge SNOTEL (6479 feet) picked up an estimated 19 inches of new snowfall.
The Gin Flat SNOTEL (7201 feet) picked up an estimated 27 inches of new snowfall.
The Ostrander Lake SNOTEL (8200 feet) picked up an estimated 25 inches of new snowfall.
The Upper Burnt Corral SNOTEL (9700 feet) picked up an estimated 36 inches of new snowfall.
The Upper Bull SNOTEL (8073 feet) picked up an estimated 30 inches of new snowfall.
The Tunnel Guard SNOTEL (9000 feet) picked up an estimated 25 inches of new snowfall.
The Wet Meadows SNOTEL (9019 feet) picked up an estimated 37 inches of new snowfall.
Public report of an estimated 69.5 inches of new snowfall at Alta Sierra.
Interstate 5 was closed from Tejon Pass to Grapevine due to unsafe road conditions from snowfall and ice for most of the day on February 24 and 25.
A trained spotter measured 14 inches of new snowfall in North Fork (3200 feet) in the previous 12 hours.
Public report of an estimated 36 inches of new snowfall at Alta Sierra.
The Southern California Edison station at Pelato Peak measured a peak wind gust of 64 mph.
The Panoche Road RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 60 mph.
The Tehachapi Airport AWOS measured a peak wind gust of 58 mph.
The PG&E station at Penon Blanco measured a peak wind gust of 75 mph.
The Southern California Edison station at Las Yeguas measured a peak wind gust of 65 mph.
The Southern California Edison station at Huntington Lake measured a peak wind gust of 59 mph.
The Southern California Edison station at Tejon Overlook measured a peak wind gust of 69 mph.
The Mount Tom RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 61 mph.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding just east of the SR 198/18th Ave onramp and flooding on eastbound SR 198 under the 17th Ave and Houston Ave exchange.
The Southern California Edison station at Beartrap Road measured a peak wind gust of 60 mph.
California Highway Patrol reported flooding at the intersection of Kelso Valley Rd. and Kelso Creek Rd. resulting in the closures of both roads.
The Southern California Edison station at Tejon Hills measured a peak wind gust of 70 mph.
California Highway Patrol reported several sections of roadway flooded near the SR 33 and W. Elkhorn Ave. exchange.
The Southern California Edison station at Cummings Valley measured a peak wind gust of 60 mph.
California Highway Patrol reported mud, dirt and rocks blocking the eastbound lane of SR 140 near the intersection of Hites Mine Rd.
California Highway Patrol reported a car slid down the embankment in the westbound lane of SR 41 just east of the county line. Heavy rain was occurring in the area at the time.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding in the southbound lanes of SR 99 just north of Westside Blvd. in Atwater.
California Highway Patrol reported a vehicle spun out on SR 198 and became stuck in mud at the SR 198 and Plaza Dr. offramp.
California Highway Patrol reported a downed tree blocking the northbound lane of Del North Ave. just north of Whitesbridge Ave. in Kerman.
California Highway Patrol reported a tree down blocking the entire roadway at the intersection of Ashworth Rd. and Old Oak Ln.
Video broadcast on a Fresno TV station showed flooding at the intersection of Shields Ave. and Sunnyside Ave.
California Highway Patrol reported the west bound lane of Floral Ave. west of Selma was completely flooded.
California Highway Patrol reported near Lake Success on Success Valley Dr.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding on northbound SR 99 south of the SR 41 exchange.
California Highway Patrol reported the eastbound lane of Manning Ave. in Parlier is flooded.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding at the intersection of SR 33 and Sutter Ave.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding on east SR 180 at S. Reed Rd.
California Highway Patrol reported a 50 foot section of flooding along SR 46 at the Brown Material Rd. intersection.
California Highway Patrol reported Rd. 100 south of Parkway Rd. was completely flooded.
California Highway Patrol reported the Gale Ave. and SR 269 exchange was completely flooded.
California Highway Patrol reported rocks up to 3 feet in diameter washed up on Interstate 5 north of Lebec.
California Highway Patrol reported a vehicle hit a flooded area on northbound SR 99 south of the North Ave. exchange and spun out.
California Highway Patrol reported large amounts of water on E. Nebraska Ave. between Peach Ave. and Clovis Ave.
California Highway Patrol reported SR 198 eastbound was flooded between Howard Ave. and Bishop Ave.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding at the intersection of Manning Ave. and Hill Ave.
PG&E reported a fallen telephone pole on Edison Rd. between Sandrini Rd. and David Rd.
California Highway Patrol reported flooding on David Rd. between Wheeler Ridge Rd. and Rancho Dr.
California Highway Patrol reported flooding on Sandrini Rd. between Adobe Rd. and Wheeler Ridge Rd.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding at the intersection of Park Blvd. and Hills Valley Rd. in Orange Cove.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding at the intersection of Ave 400 and Rd. 140.
California Highway Patrol reported Herring Rd. was closed west of SR 99 due to flooding.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding on southbound SR 99 near the Ave. 280 interchange.
California Highway Patrol reported Copus Rd. was closed between I-5 and Old River Rd. due to flooding.
California Highway Patrol reported Rd. 236 was closed due to flooding between Ave. 80 and Ave. 60 north of Ducor.
California Highway Patrol reported a tree downed on the roadway on Butler Ave. west of Clovis Ave.
California Highway Patrol reported westbound SR 178 was closed at Haley St. due to flooding.
California Highway Patrol reported the entire roadway on Ave. 32 and Richgrove Dr. were flooded.
California Highway Patrol reported a car crashed on northbound SR 99 just south of the California Ave. exchange after it hit standing water.
California Highway Patrol reported Adobe Rd. south of SR 223 was flooded with a vehicle stalled out in water.
California Highway Patrol reported Mount Vernon Ave at Niles St. in Bakersfield were flooded.
California Highway Patrol reported flooding on southbound SR 99 south of Wilson Rd.
California Highway Patrol reported all lanes of eastbound SR 178 at Union Ave in Bakersfield were flooded. Several vehicles hydroplaned.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in California in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in California, February 2023
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: 1072383, 1072384, 1072385, 1072386, 1072388, 1072390, 1072391, 1072393, 1072394, 1072395, 1072396, 1072397, 1072398, 1072399, 1072400, 1072401, 1075796, 1072360, 1072361, 1072338, 1072330, 1072341, 1072332, 1072336, 1072331, 1072335, 1072329, 1072351, 1072339, 1072352, 1072334, 1072353, 1072340, 1072354, 1072355, 1072356, 1072357, 1072358, 1072359, 1072362, and more.