California, 2023Flooding and Heavy Snow in California, January 3 to 6, 2023
January 3 to 6, 2023 · NWS STO · 42 events in 15 counties and zones
A powerful atmospheric river brought very strong winds with moderate to heavy rain and renewed flooding of the already elevated waterways. There was flooding of roadways, urban areas, rivers, streams, and creeks.
Every event with a place to put it. 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
- 2
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- $50,000
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 42
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.
A powerful atmospheric river brought very strong winds with moderate to heavy rain and renewed flooding of the already elevated waterways. There was flooding of roadways, urban areas, rivers, streams, and creeks. There were dangerous mountain travel conditions at Sierra pass levels with 6 to 18 inches of snow above 6500 feet. The warm nature of the storm limited snow amounts further down, with just a few inches of accumulation down to 6000 feet. Winds gusted up to 50-60 mph in the Valley, with gusts up to 70 to 100 mph in the mountains. There were widespread trees down, blocking roads and causing numerous power outages across the area. Rainfall amounts were 1 to 3 inches in the Central Valley and 2 to 6 inches in the foothills and mountains. There were 2 fatalities reported, one due to drowning, and the other due to a rain-related car accident.
Event by event
25 flood, 14 high wind, 2 heavy snow, 1 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.
Flood, El Dorado
- When
- January 3, 12:00 AM PST to 11:59 PM PST
- Where
- El Dorado County, 0.16 mi WSW of Coloma to 0.3 mi W of Coloma
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Deaths
- 0 direct, 1 indirect
- Reported by
- Broadcast Media
- Coordinates
- 38.800, -120.883
On January 3 in El Dorado County, a 33 year-old male drowned in the South Fork of the American River near Coloma, CA. It is unknown how he ended up in the river.
Heavy Snow, West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada
- When
- January 4, 7:00 AM PST to January 6, 4:00 AM PST
- Where
- West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada forecast zone
- Reported by
- Public
Caltrans reported chain controls and delays at Donner Pass and Echo Summit due to heavy, wet, high-elevation snow. Caltrans held eastbound traffic on Interstate 80 for several hours due to spinouts the night of the 5th. Ski resorts reported 6 to 18 inches of snow from January 4-5, 2023. For storm total snowfall, UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab reported 8.7 inches, Bear Valley Ski Resort reported 17 inches, Boreal Ski Resort reported 6 inches, Dodge Ridge Ski Resort reported 16 inches, Kirkwood Ski Resort reported 13 inches, Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort reported 18 inches, Soda Springs Ski Resort reported 6 inches, Sugar Bowl Ski Resort reported 7 inches, and Caltrans reported 14 inches at Echo Summit.
Heavy Snow, Mt Shasta/Western Plumas County
- When
- January 4, 7:00 AM PST to January 6, 4:00 AM PST
- Where
- Mt Shasta/Western Plumas County forecast zone
- Reported by
- SNOTEL
Lower Lassen Peak reported a storm total of 26 inches of snowfall. NORHSC National Gridded Snow Analysis estimated a storm total 8 to 24 inches of storm total snow fell over portions of the Lassen Area and western Plumas County above 5000 feet.
Flood, Solano
- When
- January 4, 8:39 AM PST to 11:00 AM PST
- Where
- Solano County, 0.88 mi SE of Vacaville Jct to 0.94 mi SE of Vacaville Jct
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Deaths
- 0 direct, 1 indirect
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 38.290, -121.960
A woman died in a crash likely caused by speed and standing water in Fairfield on Vanden Road at One Lake. Investigators said the roadway was partially flooded due to rain from the recent downpours. Police said the woman was heading eastbound on the road when she came across a patch of standing water and hydroplaned before losing control of the vehicle and crashing into a utility pole.
High Wind, Southern Sacramento Valley
- When
- January 4, 5:00 PM PST to 6:00 PM PST
- Where
- Southern Sacramento Valley forecast zone
- Measured
- 45 kt (52 mph) measured gust
- Property damage
- $1,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
A very large tree was reported in the roadway at Mccomber St, Florin, approximately 40 feet tall. KSMF reported at 04:53 PM PST SSE 31 gust 45mph, 06:53 PM PST S 24 mph gust 45mph, peak gust at 6:06 PM PST 52 mph. KSAC reported at 04:53 PM PST SE 22 gust 40mph, 5:53 PM PST S 21 mph gust 35mph.
High Wind, Motherlode/Camptonville to Groveland
- When
- January 4, 5:00 PM PST to 6:15 PM PST
- Where
- Motherlode/Camptonville to Groveland forecast zone
- Measured
- 34 kt (39 mph) measured gust
- Property damage
- $1,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
A very large tree was reported in the roadway blocking the lane on a blind curve. Placerville Airport reported from the south at 29 mph with a gust of 39 mph at 6:15 pm PST.
High Wind, Southern Sacramento Valley
- When
- January 4, 5:00 PM PST to 6:00 PM PST
- Where
- Southern Sacramento Valley forecast zone
- Measured
- 38 kt (44 mph) measured gust
- Property damage
- $5,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
A vehicle ended up in a yard avoiding a fallen tree blocking Morse Ave. McClellan Airport reported a south southeast wind of 32 mph with a gust of 44 mph at 5:55 pm PST.
High Wind, Southern Sacramento Valley
- When
- January 4, 5:00 PM PST to 6:00 PM PST
- Where
- Southern Sacramento Valley forecast zone
- Measured
- 38 kt (44 mph) measured gust
- Property damage
- $5,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
A vehicle ended up in a yard avoiding a fallen tree blocking Morse Ave in Sacramento. McClellan Airport reported a south southeast wind of 32 mph with a gust of 44 mph at 5:55 pm PST.
High Wind, Central Sacramento Valley
- When
- January 4, 5:00 PM PST to 7:54 PM PST
- Where
- Central Sacramento Valley forecast zone
- Measured
- 29 kt (33 mph) measured gust
- Property damage
- $1,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
On SR 32 near Platt Mountain Road, a very large tree was reported in the roadway blocking both lanes. Oroville Airport reported a gust from the south of 33 mph.
High Wind, Central Sacramento Valley
- When
- January 4, 5:00 PM PST to 7:54 PM PST
- Where
- Central Sacramento Valley forecast zone
- Measured
- 29 kt (33 mph) measured gust
- Property damage
- $10,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
On Skyway in De Sabla, powerlines were reported down blocking the whole roadway. Oroville Airport reported a gust from the south of 33 mph.
High Wind, Motherlode/Camptonville to Groveland
- When
- January 4, 5:00 PM PST to 6:15 PM PST
- Where
- Motherlode/Camptonville to Groveland forecast zone
- Measured
- 34 kt (39 mph) measured gust
- Property damage
- $1,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
A fallen tree was reported in the roadway blocking the northbound lane of Burson Rd. in Burson. Placerville Airport reported winds from the south at 29 mph with a gust of 39 mph at 6:15 pm PST.
High Wind, Southern Sacramento Valley
- When
- January 4, 5:00 PM PST to 8:00 PM PST
- Where
- Southern Sacramento Valley forecast zone
- Measured
- 44 kt (51 mph) measured gust
- Property damage
- $5,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
A big tree fell down near Eastern & El Camino in the Arden-Arcade area of Sacramento County. The tree fell on a car. McClellan Airfield reported gusts of 45 to 51 mph through the evening.
High Wind, Northern Sacramento Valley
- When
- January 4, 5:00 PM PST to 10:00 PM PST
- Where
- Northern Sacramento Valley forecast zone
- Measured
- 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
- Property damage
- $1,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
A tree was completely blocking both lanes of Kimberly Rd. Winds at Redding Airport gusted to 60 mph at 22:00 PST.
High Wind, Northern Sacramento Valley
- When
- January 4, 5:00 PM PST to 10:00 PM PST
- Where
- Northern Sacramento Valley forecast zone
- Measured
- 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
- Property damage
- $1,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
A tree was completely blocking both lanes of Kimberly Rd. Winds at Redding Airport gusted to 52 mph.
High Wind, Central Sacramento Valley
- When
- January 4, 5:00 PM PST to 8:19 PM PST
- Where
- Central Sacramento Valley forecast zone
- Measured
- 29 kt (33 mph) measured gust
- Property damage
- $7,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
A power pole and a tree were leaning over Aguas Frias Rd. Wind gusts to 33 mph were reported at nearby Chico Airport.
High Wind, Central Sacramento Valley
- When
- January 4, 5:00 PM PST to 10:36 PM PST
- Where
- Central Sacramento Valley forecast zone
- Measured
- 37 kt (43 mph) measured gust
- Property damage
- $1,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
A large pine tree was uprooted blocking all of Melvina Ave. Oroville Airport had gusts to 43 mph.
High Wind, Southern Sacramento Valley
- When
- January 4, 5:00 PM PST to January 5, 1:00 AM PST
- Where
- Southern Sacramento Valley forecast zone
- Measured
- 38 kt (44 mph) measured gust
- Property damage
- $1,000
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
A large pine tree was uprooted blocking Madison Ave near Primrose Ave. Sacramento Executive Airport had gusts to 44 mph. As of 1 am, there were around 15,000 customers without power in the SMUD area and thousands without power in the PG&E area.
Flood, Yolo
- When
- January 4, 7:55 PM PST to January 5, 11:00 PM PST
- Where
- Yolo County, 1.28 mi WSW of Major Vista
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 38.510, -122.000
The California Highway Patrol reported 1/2 foot of water flooding on the westbound lane of SR128 at the intersection with The Horseshoe.
Heavy Rain, Yuba
- When
- January 4, 8:00 PM PST to 8:30 PM PST
- Where
- Yuba County, 2.25 mi ENE of Dobbins
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 39.380, -121.160
The California Highway Patrol reported rock and dirt blocking Marysville Rd, near intersection with Oregon Hill Rd. Nearby Reader Ranch RAWS received .27 in one hour.
Flood, Glenn
- When
- January 4, 10:00 PM PST to January 5, 1:00 AM PST
- Where
- Glenn County, 14.51 mi SSW of Fruto to 14.71 mi SSW of Fruto
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- County Official
- Coordinates
- 39.385, -122.551
Water ponded on County Road 306 near the Glenn - Colusa Line.
High Wind, Northern Sacramento Valley
- When
- January 4, 10:00 PM PST to 11:00 PM PST
- Where
- Northern Sacramento Valley forecast zone
- Measured
- 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
- Property damage
- $10,000
- Reported by
- ASOS
A large tree fell on top of a home in Redding, damaging the roof and a fence. A branch came through the ceiling. Winds at Redding Airport gusted to 60 mph at 22:00 PST.
Flood, Yolo
- When
- January 4, 11:20 PM PST to January 5, 3:00 AM PST
- Where
- Yolo County, 1.75 mi NW of Norton to 1.33 mi NNW of Norton
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 38.620, -121.990
The CHP reported CR 88 closed between CR 27 and CR 29 due to roadway flooding.
Flood, Butte
- When
- January 5, 12:35 AM PST to 5:00 AM PST
- Where
- Butte County, 1.95 mi SW of Villa Verona to 1.92 mi SW of Villa Verona
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 39.460, -121.556
Road flooding from heavy rain caused a car to be stuck in knee deep water.
Flood, Sacramento
- When
- January 5, 3:54 AM PST to 7:00 AM PST
- Where
- Sacramento County, 1.21 mi SW of Elk Grove to 1.15 mi SW of Elk Grove
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 38.409, -121.387
There was roadway flooding on Northbound SR 99 at Elk Grove Blvd. due to heavy rains.
Flood, Sacramento
- When
- January 5, 3:55 AM PST to 8:00 AM PST
- Where
- Sacramento County, 0.76 mi SE of Citrus to 0.92 mi SE of Citrus
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 38.613, -121.260
There was roadway flooding at eastbound US Highway 50 and Sunrise Blvd.
Flood, Butte
- When
- January 5, 10:58 AM PST to 3:00 PM PST
- Where
- Butte County, 2.14 mi SSW of Mullberry to 1.98 mi SSW of Mullberry
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Public
- Coordinates
- 39.700, -121.790
Road closure at Southgate Dr. due to flooding.
Flood, Sacramento
- When
- January 5, 11:23 AM PST to 3:00 PM PST
- Where
- Sacramento County, 1.21 mi NNE of North Highlands to 1.23 mi NE of North Highlands
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 38.695, -121.358
A lane was reported flooded by the California Highway Patrol between Elkhorn Blvd. and Sprig Dr. near North Highlands.
Flood, Solano
- When
- January 5, 11:30 AM PST to 3:00 PM PST
- Where
- Solano County, 0.69 mi S of Vacaville Nut Tree to 0.72 mi S of Vacaville Nut Tree
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 38.360, -121.970
Roadway flooding was reported by the California Highway Patrol between I-80 and Allison Drive.
Flood, San Joaquin
- When
- January 5, 11:42 AM PST to 5:00 PM PST
- Where
- San Joaquin County, 0.78 mi SE of Ortega to 0.73 mi SE of Ortega
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Department of Highways
- Coordinates
- 37.913, -121.289
Roadway flooding was reported in Stockton by the California Highway Patrol between Interstate 5 northbound and Downing Ave.
Flood, Sacramento
- When
- January 5, 11:56 AM PST to 4:00 PM PST
- Where
- Sacramento County, 0.28 mi NW of Fair Oaks to 0.24 mi WNW of Fair Oaks
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 38.653, -121.273
Roadway flooding was reported between Sunrise Blvd. and Sunset Ave. near Fair Oaks by the California Highway Patrol.
Flood, San Joaquin
- When
- January 5, 12:40 PM PST to 5:40 PM PST
- Where
- San Joaquin County, 1.76 mi SW of Lincoln Vlg to 1.57 mi SW of Lincoln Vlg
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 38.000, -121.350
Roadway flooding was reported on northbound Interstate 5 near Benjamin Holt Drive by the California Highway Patrol.
Flood, El Dorado
- When
- January 5, 12:56 PM PST to 4:00 PM PST
- Where
- El Dorado County, 0.88 mi SW of Clarksville to 0.81 mi SW of Clarksville
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 38.660, -121.060
Roadway flooding was reported on the Silva Valley Pkwy by the California Highway Patrol.
Flood, Placer
- When
- January 5, 12:56 PM PST to 6:00 PM PST
- Where
- Placer County, 5.51 mi SW of Sheridan to 5.63 mi SW of Sheridan
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 38.930, -121.450
The California Highway Patrol reported flooding at West Wise Rd and South Brewer Rd in Lincoln.
Flood, Sacramento
- When
- January 5, 12:59 PM PST to 4:00 PM PST
- Where
- Sacramento County, 1.12 mi N of Fair Oaks to 1.04 mi N of Fair Oaks
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 38.666, -121.273
The California Highway Patrol reported a flooded intersection at Sunrise Blvd. and Madison Ave.
Flood, Butte
- When
- January 5, 1:08 PM PST to 7:00 PM PST
- Where
- Butte County, 1.43 mi NE of Bidwell Bar to 1.29 mi NE of Bidwell Bar
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 39.566, -121.432
The California Highway Patrol reported rocks along the Oroville Quincy Highway due to flooding near Simmons Road.
Flood, Sacramento
- When
- January 5, 1:21 PM PST to 4:21 PM PST
- Where
- Sacramento County, 2.27 mi ESE of Mayhew to 2.33 mi ESE of Mayhew
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 38.510, -121.260
The California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding at Jackson Road and Eagles | Nest Road near the Sacramento Muslim Cemetery.
Flood, Sacramento
- When
- January 5, 1:25 PM PST to 4:00 PM PST
- Where
- Sacramento County, 1.75 mi NW of Bridge House to 2.08 mi NW of Bridge House
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 38.520, -121.100
The California Highway Patrol reported 6-8 inches of water in the roadway at Scott Road and Latrobe Road near Rancho Murieta.
Flood, San Joaquin
- When
- January 5, 1:42 PM PST to 5:00 PM PST
- Where
- San Joaquin County, 2.28 mi ENE of Forest Lake to 2.47 mi ENE of Forest Lake
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 38.230, -121.230
The California Highway Patrol reported a flooded intersection at Liberty Rd. and Dustin Rd.
Flood, El Dorado
- When
- January 5, 2:54 PM PST to 6:00 PM PST
- Where
- El Dorado County, 2.13 mi NW of Clarksville to 2.04 mi NW of Clarksville
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 38.690, -121.080
The California Highway Patrol reported 7-8 inches of water going over the roadway at Tam Oshanter Dr. and Canterbury Cir.
Flood, Sacramento
- When
- January 5, 3:04 PM PST to 6:00 PM PST
- Where
- Sacramento County, 1.02 mi WNW of Foothill Farms to 1 mi NW of Foothill Farms
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 38.688, -121.346
The California Highway Patrol reported 6 -8 inches of water going over the road at Elkhorn Blvd. and Hillsdale Blvd.
Flood, Placer
- When
- January 5, 8:08 PM PST to January 6, 2:00 AM PST
- Where
- Placer County, 1.28 mi ENE of Ophir to 1.49 mi ENE of Ophir
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 38.890, -121.100
CHP reported rock slide at Wise Road and Ophir Road resulting in road closure of Ophir Road to Interstate 80 on-ramp.
Flood, Yuba
- When
- January 5, 8:10 PM PST to 11:00 PM PST
- Where
- Yuba County, 0.53 mi E of Ramirez to 1 mi ESE of Ramirez
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 39.270, -121.540
The California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding in the Yuba Sutter area, along the southbound lane of Mathews Lane at Ramirez Rd.
- Flood
- Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.
- Heavy Snow
- Snowfall reaching the local warning threshold without the other hazards of a winter storm.
- High Wind
- Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.
- 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.
- Tornado and Flash Flooding in Mississippi, January 3, 2023$378,000 · EF1 · 28 events
- Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Alabama, January 3 to 4, 20231 injured · EF2 · 20 events
- Tornadoes and Flash Flooding in Georgia, January 3 to 4, 20231 injured · $30,000 · EF1 · 36 events
- Tornado and Flooding in Alabama, January 3, 2023$36,000 · EF1 · 16 events
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Tennessee, January 3 to 4, 2023$60,000 · 1 in hail · 7 events
- Flash Flooding and Flooding in Kentucky, January 3, 2023$40,000 · 15 events
- Tornadoes and Hail in Illinois, January 3, 2023EF1 · 12 events
- Flash Flooding and Damaging Winds in Kentucky, January 3, 202351 kt wind · 33 events
- Winter Storm in Minnesota, January 3 to 4, 202330 events
- Flash Flood and Flooding in Ohio, January 3, 2023$18,000 · 15 events
- Tornado and Hail in Illinois, January 3, 2023EF1 · 3 events
- Flash Flooding and Damaging Winds in Alabama, January 3 to 4, 2023$20,000 · 53 kt wind · 9 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: 1078683, 1078674, 1078677, 1078627, 1078689, 1078691, 1078694, 1078695, 1078699, 1078701, 1078703, 1078704, 1078705, 1078706, 1078713, 1078714, 1078715, 1078630, 1078659, 1078632, 1078707, 1078634, 1078635, 1078636, 1078637, 1078638, 1078639, 1078640, 1078641, 1078642, 1078643, 1078644, 1078645, 1078646, 1078647, 1078648, 1078650, 1078651, 1078652, 1078653, and more.