A major winter storm in mid-January brought widespread rain, heavy mountain snow, gusty winds, flooding and significant mountain travel impacts. Thunderstorms developed on January 14, producing funnel clouds and a tornado in Sacramento County.
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 major winter storm in mid-January brought widespread rain, heavy mountain snow, gusty winds, flooding and significant mountain travel impacts. Thunderstorms developed on January 14, producing funnel clouds and a tornado in Sacramento County. Downed trees and roadway flooding were also reported.
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 Jan 13, 2:55 AM PST, 2 hours 13 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Sacramento CA 255 AM PST Fri Jan 13 2023 .SYNOPSIS... The next in a series of storms will move in today bringing Valley rain and significant mountain travel impacts that will continue through the weekend. Heavy rain and thunderstorms may bring renewed flooding Saturday. Additional storms expected early next week. && .Discussion... Clouds, and perhaps a few sprinkles, are spreading back across the region early this morning while radar shows more substantial precipitation beginning to move onshore over northwest California. The clouds along with a light southerly breeze are keeping temperatures rather mild early this morning with current temperatures only in the upper 50s to around 60 in Sacramento. Elsewhere, readings are in the 30s and 40s in the mountains with mainly 50s across the lower elevations. The amplified trough off the coast is finally beginning to lift out as the upstream kicker (Saturday's system) nears 40N/145W. A line of showers with perhaps some embedded thunder will move in with the front this morning, reaching much of the valley by mid- late morning and over the northern Sierra by early afternoon. It'll be a pretty sudden shift back to the wet and unsettled weather after yesterday's brief break with travel conditions likely to deteriorate quickly over the northern Sierra during the afternoon. Precipitation will turn more showery over the valley in the afternoon behind the front with a few thunderstorms possible into the early evening. Snow will continue overnight tonight over the mountains while the valley will see a bit of break as we'll be in-between systems. It's still looking like Saturday's storm will likely be the most impactful with heavier precipitation, strong winds and thunderstorms. Increasing warm-advection and strong lift ahead of the approaching storm will result in widespread moderate rain ahead of the front on Saturday morning into the afternoon. Gusty southerly winds will also be increasing through the day as surface gradient tightens, and gusts of 35-55 mph will be possible in the Central Valley (strongest likely over the northern half of the Sacramento Valley) and a Wind Advisory has been posted. Forecast soundings have been showing quite a bit of instability over the Central Valley behind the front later Saturday afternoon and into the evening with hail likely to accompany stronger storms, and maybe some funnel clouds. Shear will be the bigger question as to whether more organized and longer-lived storms will be able to develop. Currently, it's looking like stronger shear will be to our southwest near the track of the mid-level speed max, but this may change and warrants keeping a close eye on for a potential window of severe weather. In the Sierra, heavy snow will result in several feet of snow accumulation, and along with gusty winds will result in treacherous travel conditions. A third system moves in later Sunday into Monday and has potential to bring another round of gusty winds. Heavy snow will continue in the mountains, but rainfall will likely be less over the valley compared to Saturday. && .EXTENDED DISCUSSION (Tuesday THROUGH Friday)... Cluster analysis and ensemble guidance generally in good agreement for troughing and unsettled weather to remain over the region Tuesday and Wednesday. However, Tuesday is looking mostly dry, with the exception of some showery activity over the northern mountains. There is still uncertainty with the Wednesday system, but at this point looks like additional light to moderate precipitation, mainly in the foothills and mountains. However confidence is still low for exact timing and amounts. By Thursday, ensemble guidance suggests ridging to build back in, indicating a break in the unsettled weather pattern. The return of Valley fog will be possible as we shift away from the wet weather late next week. && .AVIATION... Widespread MVFR conditions return to the Central Valley between 16Z-20Z, and widespread IFR/LIFR develops in the northern Sierra after 20Z as a line of moderate to heavy showers with a few embedded thunderstorms moves across NorCal. Precipitation becomes more scattered after 00Z Saturday with widespread MVFR/IFR continuing. Areas southeasterly surface wind gusts 15-30 kts develop by 18Z. && .STO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Wind Advisory from 7 AM to 6 PM PST Saturday for Carquinez Strait and Delta-Central Sacramento Valley-Motherlode-Northeast Foothills/Sacramento Valley-Northern Sacramento Valley-Northern San Joaquin Valley-Shasta Lake Area / Northern Shasta County- Southern Sacramento Valley. Flood Watch from Saturday morning through Sunday morning for Carquinez Strait and Delta-Central Sacramento Valley-Motherlode- Mountains Southwestern Shasta County to Western Colusa County- Northeast Foothills/Sacramento Valley-Northern Sacramento Valley- Northern San Joaquin Valley-Southern Sacramento Valley. Winter Storm Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to 10 PM PST Monday for West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada-Western Plumas County/Lassen Park. &&
The Sacramento radar (KDAX), 71 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 13:08 UTC.
33 flood, 3 thunderstorm wind, 2 heavy snow, 1 tornado, 1 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.
Caltrans and CHP Auburn reported a rockslide on SR-49 east of Auburn. SR-49 is closed from the North Fork American River Bridge to Borland St and Lincoln Way.
Caltrans reported closures of Highway 50 and Interstate 80, as well as other mountain highways due to heavy snow. Ski resorts reported multiple feet of snow from January 13-17, 2023. UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab reported 54.7 inches, Bear Valley resort reported 69 inches, Boreal Ski Resort reported 59 inches, Dodge Ridge Ski Resort reported 74 inches, Kirkwood Ski Resort reported 71 inches, Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort reported 63 inches, Soda Springs Ski Resort reported 59 inches, Sugar Bowl Ski Resort reported 53 inches, and Caltrans reported 38 inches at Kingvale for storm total snowfall.
The National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center estimated 1 to 4 feet of storm total snow over the Lassen Area and western Plumas County.
CHP reported roadway flooding on highways 23 and 86A.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding from heavy rain at Scott Road and Latrobe Road.
California Highway Patrol reported northbound and southbound lanes flooded along Clements Road near Brandt Road.
California Highway Patrol reported a creek flowing across Latrobe Road leading to roadway flooding.
California Highway Patrol reports numerous roads closed across Butte County due to roadway flooding, including SR 70 from Jarbo Gap to SR 89, Central House from SR 70 to Lone Tree, and SR 162 in multiple locations.
California Highway Patrol reported multiple roads closed across Sutter County due to roadway flooding.
CHP reported roadway flooding of 3 lanes.
California Highway Patrol reported 3 powerline poles down with lines on the ground.
California Highway Patrol reported downed trees into power lines on La Porte Road.
California Highway Patrol reported a large pine tree down across both lanes of SR 99 just north of East 1st Ave.
Eastbound highway 36 was closed by Baker Road for about an hour. Red Bluff Airport received 0.42 inches of rain between 9 and 10 am, and 0.97 inches over 6 hours.
CHP reported 1 foot of water in both lanes of Watt Avenue.
CHP reported roadway flooding with water levels halfway up the vehicles.
CHP reported Highway 99 at County Road 4 had roadway flooding and erosion causing the road to be closed.
California Highway Patrol reported multiple locations of roadway flooding including SR 99 between South Ave and Singer Creek.
Numerous reports of roadway flooding by CHP in Stockton including northbound Interstate 5 on March offramp and southbound interstate 5 at Crosstown Freeway.
CHP reported stream overflowing at Clinton Road and Butte Mountain Road.
Caltrans District 3 reported closure of Highway 16 between Madison and Esparto due to flooding.
Placer County Sheriff reported closure of Mosquito Ridge Road at mile 7 due to erosion from runoff and heavy rain.
CHP reported roadway flooding at Mountain Ranch Road and De Moss Lane.
Caltrans Distict 3 reported the closure of Interstate 505 from Interstate 5 to County Road 19 due to flooding.
A brief, weak tornado touched down and caused damage to 3 residences along Kirkwood Street to the east of Herald. Roof damage to two garages was observed. An RV shelter and dog kennels were lifted up off the ground and sustained damage.
California Highway Patrol reported water rushing over the roadway on Grizzly Flat Road where a portion of the roadway gave way.
Placer County Sheriff reported a large boulder and small mudslide in the roadway on Taylor Road near Highway 193.
The public reported a funnel cloud near Ione.
California Highway Patrol reported closure of Latrobe Road due to flooding and the roadway deteriorated underwater.
California Highway Patrol reported the closure of Woodbridge Road east of Highway 99 due to flooding.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding 6 inches deep at Rough and Ready Highway and Hard Rock Road.
The public reported roadway flooding multiple inches deep in Diamond Springs.
Caltrans District 3 reported the closure of southbound Interstate 5 at Road 39 due to flooding.
Placer County Sheriff reported significant roadway flooding with a vehicle stuck in the water on Highway 65 at Riosa Road.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding in the left lane of northbound highway 99 at Grant Line Road.
California Highway Patrol reported flooding on southbound Hazel Ave.
Caltrans District 3 reported closure of Highway 49 at Lincoln Way to the American River Confluence due to a Rockslide.
California Highway Patrol reported closure of Dillard Road on and off ramps at Highway 99 due to roadway flooding of Dillard Road.
San Joaquin OES reported significant flooding at Arbor Mobile Home Park in Acampo resulting in evacuations of residents.
Glenn County OES and broadcast media reported flooding on Ord Ferry Road due to flooding of the Sacramento River. Glenn County preemptively closed the road January 13 due to Sacramento River at Ord Ferry forecast point forecast to rise above flood stage. Flood stage was exceeded at 0600 this morning.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in California in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyThe tornado archive for California, 2023Warnings in California, January 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: 1078422, 1078480, 1078481, 1078423, 1078424, 1078426, 1078427, 1078429, 1078430, 1078431, 1078473, 1078474, 1078475, 1078432, 1078433, 1078434, 1078436, 1078438, 1078439, 1078441, 1078442, 1078443, 1078444, 1078446, 1078470, 1078447, 1078450, 1078468, 1078451, 1078453, 1078455, 1078456, 1078459, 1078460, 1078461, 1078463, 1078464, 1078465, 1078466, 1078467.