California, 2023Flooding and High Wind in California, January 15 to 17, 2023
January 15 to 17, 2023 · NWS HNX · 41 events in 20 counties and zones
The strong storm that brought widespread precipitation and additional flooding to the area on January 14 was followed by another storm which moved through the area between the afternoon of January 15 and the afternoon of January 16. While precipitation amounts from this storm were significantly less across most of the area than with the previous two storms which impacted the area over the…
Every event with a place to put it; 30 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
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- $103,000
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 41
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 strong storm that brought widespread precipitation and additional flooding to the area on January 14 was followed by another storm which moved through the area between the afternoon of January 15 and the afternoon of January 16. While precipitation amounts from this storm were significantly less across most of the area than with the previous two storms which impacted the area over the previous week, this system produced a period of damaging wind gusts in the San Joaquin Valley during the morning of January 16 as the cold front from this system pushed through the area. There were several reports of wind gusts exceeding 40 mph in the San Joaquin Valley and Sierra foothills and wind gusts exceeding 60 mph in the Tehachapi Mountains and the West Side Hills. The strong winds resulted in numerous power outages as power poles and power lines were toppled as well as road closures as the winds brought trees down across roads. Some more flooding occurred in the area as a result of additional rainfall on soil which had been heavily saturated by previous recent storms. The winds did taper off by the afternoon of January 16, but the precipitation was very slow to taper off as the storm didn't completely move out of the area until January 17.
Event by event
19 high wind, 10 strong wind, 10 flood, 1 winter weather, 1 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.
Winter Weather, Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley
- When
- January 15, 10:00 AM PST to January 16, 10:00 PM PST
- Where
- Yosemite Np Outside of the Valley forecast zone
- Reported by
- SNOTEL
- Coordinates
- 37.609, -119.874 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Several SNOTELs picked up an estimated 10 to 16 inches of new snowfall.
High Wind, Tehachapi
- When
- January 15, 11:50 PM PST
- Where
- Tehachapi forecast zone
- Measured
- 61 kt (70 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 Tejon Hills measured a peak wind gust of 70 mph.
High Wind, Frazier Mountain Communities
- When
- January 16, 12:00 AM PST
- Where
- Frazier Mountain Communities forecast zone
- Measured
- 58 kt (67 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- Utility Company
- Coordinates
- 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
The PG&E station at Pelato Peak measured a peak wind gust of 67 mph.
High Wind, Grapevine
- When
- January 16, 12:13 AM PST
- Where
- Grapevine forecast zone
- Measured
- 70 kt (81 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- RAWS
- Coordinates
- 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
The Grapevine Peak RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 80 mph.
High Wind, Tehachapi
- When
- January 16, 12:20 AM PST
- Where
- Tehachapi forecast zone
- Measured
- 51 kt (59 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 Bear Valley Springs measured a peak wind gust of 59 mph.
High Wind, Grapevine
- When
- January 16, 1:50 AM PST
- Where
- Grapevine forecast zone
- Measured
- 60 kt (69 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- Utility Company
- Coordinates
- 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
The PG&E station at Grapevine Road East measured a peak wind gust of 69 mph.
High Wind, South End San Joaquin Valley
- When
- January 16, 2:10 AM PST
- Where
- South End San Joaquin Valley forecast zone
- Measured
- 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- Utility Company
- Coordinates
- 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
The PG&E station at Tejon Ranch-Sebastian Road measured a peak wind gust of 59 mph.
High Wind, Tehachapi
- When
- January 16, 2:30 AM PST
- Where
- Tehachapi 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 Pigeon Spring measured a peak wind gust of 62 mph.
High Wind, Grapevine
- When
- January 16, 4:20 AM PST
- Where
- Grapevine forecast zone
- Measured
- 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- Utility Company
- Coordinates
- 35.343, -118.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
The PG&E station at Tejon Overlook measured a peak wind gust of 66 mph.
High Wind, Grapevine
- When
- January 16, 4:40 AM PST
- Where
- Grapevine forecast zone
- Measured
- 63 kt (72 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 measured a peak wind gust of 73 mph.
High Wind, West Side Mountains South of Highway 198
- When
- January 16, 5:10 AM PST
- Where
- West Side Mountains South of Highway 198 forecast zone
- Measured
- 63 kt (72 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- Utility Company
- Coordinates
- 36.059, -119.398 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
The PG&E station at Las Yeguas measured a peak wind gust of 72 mph.
High Wind, Mariposa - Madera Lower Sierra
- When
- January 16, 5:20 AM PST
- Where
- Mariposa - Madera Lower Sierra forecast zone
- Measured
- 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- Utility Company
- Coordinates
- 37.400, -119.834 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
The PG&E station at Penon Blanco measured a peak wind gust of 61 mph.
High Wind, Mariposa - Madera Lower Sierra
- When
- January 16, 5:40 AM PST
- Where
- Mariposa - Madera Lower Sierra forecast zone
- Measured
- 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- Utility Company
- Coordinates
- 37.400, -119.834 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
The PG&E station at Yosemite Pilot Peak measured a peak wind gust of 61 mph.
High Wind, West Side Mountains North of Highway 198
- When
- January 16, 5:50 AM PST
- Where
- West Side Mountains North of Highway 198 forecast zone
- Measured
- 69 kt (79 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 79 mph.
High Wind, West Side Mountains South of Highway 198
- When
- January 16, 6:13 AM PST
- Where
- West Side Mountains South of Highway 198 forecast zone
- Measured
- 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- RAWS
- Coordinates
- 36.059, -119.398 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
The Twisselman RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 62 mph.
Strong Wind, Fresno - Clovis
- When
- January 16, 6:30 AM PST
- Where
- Fresno - Clovis forecast zone
- Measured
- 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $50,000
- Reported by
- Broadcast Media
- Coordinates
- 36.758, -119.649 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
A Fresno television station reported several large trees were blown down at Sage Stone Apartment complex due to strong winds and saturated soil. In addition, one tree knocked down a power line and transformer, and another tree severely damaged and apartment unit.
Strong Wind, Caruthers - San Joaquin - Selma
- When
- January 16, 6:35 AM PST
- Where
- Caruthers - San Joaquin - Selma forecast zone
- Measured
- 43 kt (49 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 large tree blown over onto the intersection of pleasant and Briarwood in Fresno.
Strong Wind, Fresno - Clovis
- When
- January 16, 6:36 AM PST
- Where
- Fresno - Clovis forecast zone
- Measured
- 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $6,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 36.758, -119.649 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
California Highway Patrol reported power lines and a power pole were blown down near the intersection of W. California Ave and S. Blythe Ave.
Strong Wind, Merced-Madera-Mendota
- When
- January 16, 6:40 AM PST
- Where
- Merced-Madera-Mendota forecast zone
- Measured
- 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $1,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 37.056, -120.043 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
California Highway Patrol reported a blown down tree blocking the entire roadway at the intersection of Mercedes Ave. and N. Buhach Ave.
Strong Wind, Caruthers - San Joaquin - Selma
- When
- January 16, 6:45 AM PST
- Where
- Caruthers - San Joaquin - Selma forecast zone
- Measured
- 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $20,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 36.489, -119.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
California Highway Patrol reported 3-4 poles blown down across the roadway on Orange Ave. between Lincoln and Clinton.
Strong Wind, Fresno - Clovis
- When
- January 16, 6:59 AM PST
- Where
- Fresno - Clovis forecast zone
- Measured
- 43 kt (49 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $5,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 36.758, -119.649 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
California Highway Patrol reported a blown down tree struck and damaged a vehicle near the intersection of W. Central Ave. and S. Elm Ave.
High Wind, Fresno - Tulare Lower Sierra
- When
- January 16, 7:00 AM PST
- Where
- Fresno - Tulare Lower Sierra forecast zone
- Measured
- 58 kt (67 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- Utility Company
- Coordinates
- 36.489, -119.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
The PG&E station Pine Flat Lake Overlook measured a peak wind gust of 67 mph.
High Wind, South End Sierra Foothills
- When
- January 16, 7:00 AM PST
- Where
- South End Sierra Foothills forecast zone
- Measured
- 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- Utility Company
- Coordinates
- 35.782, -118.765 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
The PG&E station at Elwood Road measured a peak wind gust of 62 mph.
High Wind, West Side Mountains North of Highway 198
- When
- January 16, 7:20 AM PST
- Where
- West Side Mountains North of Highway 198 forecast zone
- Measured
- 56 kt (64 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 65 mph.
Strong Wind, Fresno - Clovis
- When
- January 16, 7:39 AM PST
- Where
- Fresno - Clovis forecast zone
- Measured
- 35 kt (40 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $5,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 36.758, -119.649 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
California Highway Patrol reported low hanging wires across the highway at the intersection of W. Olive Ave and N. Garfield Ave.
Strong Wind, Fresno - Clovis
- When
- January 16, 7:59 AM PST
- Where
- Fresno - Clovis forecast zone
- Measured
- 35 kt (40 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $5,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 36.758, -119.649 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
California Highway Patrol reported a power pole blown down on E. Belmont Ave. near N. Highland Ave.
Strong Wind, Caruthers - San Joaquin - Selma
- When
- January 16, 8:11 AM PST
- Where
- Caruthers - San Joaquin - Selma forecast zone
- Measured
- 35 kt (40 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $5,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 36.489, -119.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
California Highway Patrol reported a power pole fell and caught fire near the intersection of SR 210 and Rd. 32.
High Wind, Coalinga - Avenal
- When
- January 16, 8:20 AM PST
- Where
- Coalinga - Avenal forecast zone
- Measured
- 60 kt (69 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 69 mph.
Flood, Fresno
- When
- January 16, 8:20 AM PST to 10:20 AM PST
- Where
- Fresno County, 1.02 mi ESE of Alder Spgs to 1 mi ESE of Alder Spgs
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 37.066, -119.402
California Highway Patrol reported a mudslide on Auberry Rd. near Alder Springs Rd.
Flood, Mariposa
- When
- January 16, 9:58 AM PST to 11:58 AM PST
- Where
- Mariposa County, 1.58 mi S of Mt Bullion to 1.81 mi SSW of Mt Bullion
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 37.477, -120.054
California Highway Patrol reported rock, dirt and mud in the roadway on SR 140 near Guadalupe Fire Rd.
Flood, Merced
- When
- January 16, 10:37 AM PST to 12:37 PM PST
- Where
- Merced County, 0.71 mi WSW of Gustine to 0.67 mi WSW of Gustine
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 37.246, -121.012
California Highway Patrol reported flooding on SR 33 just north of Sullivan Rd. in Gustine.
Flood, Kern
- When
- January 16, 10:56 AM PST to 12:56 PM PST
- Where
- Kern County, 1.03 mi ESE of Kernell to 1.27 mi ESE of Kernell
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 35.775, -119.302
Kern County officials reported Lytle Ave was closed between Cecil Ave. and Dirt Rd. due to flooding.
Strong Wind, Caruthers - San Joaquin - Selma
- When
- January 16, 11:33 AM PST
- Where
- Caruthers - San Joaquin - Selma forecast zone
- Measured
- 35 kt (40 mph) estimated gust
- Property damage
- $5,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 36.489, -119.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
California Highway Patrol reported a telephone pole was downed by gusty winds on S. Fruit Ave. at or near W. Dinuba Ave.
Heavy Rain, Merced
- When
- January 16, 1:00 PM PST to 2:00 PM PST
- Where
- Merced County, 2.3 mi ENE of Cregan to 2.26 mi ENE of Cregan
- Reported by
- Public
- Coordinates
- 37.310, -120.440
Public report of 0.85 inches of rainfall measured in one hour accompanied by 0.25 inch hail by the Bear Creek at McKee Rd. River Gauge.
High Wind, South End of the Upper Sierra
- When
- January 16, 1:27 PM PST
- Where
- South End of the Upper 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 Bird Springs Pass RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 59 mph.
Flood, Mariposa
- When
- January 16, 2:30 PM PST to 4:30 PM PST
- Where
- Mariposa County, 1.53 mi SSW of Mt Bullion to 1.88 mi SSW of Mt Bullion
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 37.478, -120.056
California Highway Patrol reported a tree washed up on the roadway on eastbound SR 140 east of Guadalupe Fire Rd.
Flood, Mariposa
- When
- January 16, 2:43 PM PST to 4:43 PM PST
- Where
- Mariposa County, 1.64 mi S of Mt Bullion to 1.67 mi S of Mt Bullion
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 37.477, -120.045
California Highway Patrol reported a tree washed up on the roadway on eastbound SR 140 east of Hummingbird Ln.
Flood, Merced
- When
- January 16, 4:14 PM PST to 6:14 PM PST
- Where
- Merced County, 5.3 mi NW of El Nido to 4.98 mi NW of El Nido
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 37.190, -120.560
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding along W. Sandy Mush Rd. near S. Gurr Rd.
Flood, Merced
- When
- January 16, 4:15 PM PST to 6:15 PM PST
- Where
- Merced County, 3.44 mi NE of Stevinson to 3.5 mi NE of Stevinson
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 37.360, -120.800
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding along Westside Blvd. near Weir Ave.
Flood, Kern
- When
- January 16, 6:54 PM PST to 8:54 PM PST
- Where
- Kern County, 0.61 mi NNW of Delano to 0.4 mi N of Delano
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 35.778, -119.254
California Highway Patrol reported standing water on SR 99 near Cecil Ave.
Flood, Tulare
- When
- January 17, 8:47 AM PST to 2:47 PM PST
- Where
- Tulare County, 0.85 mi NW of Dinuba Sequoia Arpt to 0.95 mi NNW of Dinuba Sequoia Arpt
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 36.459, -119.331
California Highway Patrol reported road 108 was closed between Ave. 368 and Ave. 384 due to flooding.
- Winter Weather
- Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.
- 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.
- Flood
- Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
- Heavy Rain
- Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
- Dense Fog in North Dakota, January 15 to 20, 20231 death · $2.4 million · 7 events
- Winter Storm and Winter Weather in Maine, January 15 to 17, 202315 events
- Heavy Snow and High Wind in New Mexico, January 15 to 16, 202357 kt wind · 9 events
- Flood and Heavy Snow in Arizona, January 15 to 17, 20236 events
- High Wind in Texas, January 15, 202366 kt wind · 4 events
- Debris Flow and Flooding in Puerto Rico, January 15, 2023$1,000 · 4 events
- High Wind in Texas, January 15 to 16, 202367 kt wind · 3 events
- Heavy Snow in Colorado, January 15 to 19, 20233 events
- High Wind in Texas, January 15, 202354 kt wind · 3 events
- High Wind in New Mexico, January 15, 202356 kt wind · 3 events
- Heavy Snow in Arizona, January 15 to 17, 20233 events
- Strong Wind in Massachusetts, January 15, 2023$8,000 · 2 events
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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1065807, 1065792, 1065805, 1065799, 1065794, 1065801, 1065796, 1065793, 1065802, 1065800, 1065790, 1065798, 1065797, 1065788, 1065791, 1065857, 1065858, 1065859, 1065861, 1065862, 1065865, 1065803, 1065804, 1065789, 1065868, 1065870, 1065871, 1065806, 1065822, 1065823, 1065824, 1065825, 1065872, 1065834, 1065795, 1065827, 1065829, 1065830, 1065831, 1065832, and more.