A multiday atmospheric river continued across Northwest California during early to mid January. Impacts from heavy rain and strong winds were numerous across the region.
Every event with a place to put it; 21 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 EKA wrote it up.
A multiday atmospheric river continued across Northwest California during early to mid January. Impacts from heavy rain and strong winds were numerous across the region.
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 Eureka, CA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 7, 4:36 AM PST, 1 hour 39 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Eureka CA
436 AM PST Sat Jan 7 2023
.SYNOPSIS...Rainy and windy conditions will continue today across
the entire region while heavy mountain snow falls in northern
Trinity County. A brief break is likely Sunday afternoon followed
by a return to the stormy conditions on Monday.
&&
.DISCUSSION...As discussed yesterday, strong meso-lows have formed
along the front bringing some very gusty conditions to coastal areas.
Wind gusts tonight between 2 and 4 am have ranged from 60-77 mph on
the windiest ridges of Humboldt County while gusts in excess of 50
mph have been reported in the Humboldt Bay area. As this low moves
north it will bring gusty conditions to coastal Del Norte County too
this morning. Wind gusts in excess of 50 mph has just been reported
at the Crescent City Airport. As the day continues another low
pressure system will approach the area leading to a re-enhancement
of the wind field over the coastal waters which will then expand
again inland across the entire region through the day bringing more
gusty south winds into wind advisory criteria through tonight. The
wind gusts this morning are already resulting in more trees down and
additional power outages and the second push this afternoon and
overnight will only make the situation worse. Winds should decrease
by early morning as the front moves inland.
In addition to the wind, widespread rainfall is expected, heaviest
south of Cape Mendocino. With saturated ground it won't take much to
get runoff into area creeks, streams, and rivers. A flood watch is
in effect from south Humboldt and south Trinity into Mendocino and
Lake counties to highlight the potential for flooding. This watch
continues into Tuesday as additional rain is expected from another
potent storm Monday into Tuesday, once again heaviest across the
southern half of the forecast area. The Monday/Tuesday storm will
also bring another opportunity for very gusty conditions to the
entire region, but greatest north of Cape Mendocino in Humboldt and
Del Norte counties.
Throughout these systems snow levels will generally range from 4000-
5000 feet restricting snow to the highest mountain peaks. But, for
areas above 4500 feet snow accumulation will be significant with
several feet of snow expected. The one major impact will be for
Scott Mountain Pass which will likely remain closed for an extended
period of time as very little break in the weather is anticipated. A
Winter Storm Warning is in effect through the system today and will
likely need to be extended or re-issued for the next system
beginning Sunday night into Monday/Tuesday soon.
The last significant weather concern will be the potential for
thunderstorms, some which could be strong over the coastal waters
and then impacting the coastal counties. The CAMs indicate modest
instability will be in place and shear will be favorable for an few
rotating storms. Though strong to severe storms should be limited,
it wouldn't be a surprise to see a storm strong enough to produce a
waterspout over the southern half of the coastal waters either this
afternoon/evening or spreading north of Cape Mendocino tonight into
Sunday morning. Storms should weaken as they approach the coast and
the primary threat on land will be lightning and heavy rain.
Beyond Tuesday the ensembles continue to indicate a wet pattern in
store for the area but details are less certain. The forecast
indicates 70-90 percent chances for rain each day Wednesday through
Saturday as storms keep impacting the region. /RPA
&&
.AVIATION...As an compact and intense surface low continues past the
region, strong winds and gusts will move through and affect area
terminals. Light to moderate rain will continue throughout the TAF
period for all terminals. Mostly VFR conditions will prevail,
however; if a moderate to heavy rain shower moves over a terminal,
MVFR to IFR conditions are possible. LLWS will also affect the
region throughout today.
&&
.MARINE...An area of sustained storm force winds and gusts associated
with the compact surface low will continue northward past Cape
Mendocino early this morning. A westerly swell will continue to
subside today then be reinforced Saturday, while steep locally-
generated southerly seas continue. Gale force sustained winds and
gusts will generally continue for all marine waters into very early
Sunday morning. A slight reprieve from strong winds will occur into
Sunday afternoon and evening, while the locally generated steep seas
begin to subside. Another system will bring gales, steep and
elevated seas as well as a potential for more storm force winds by
early next week.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...Heavy rain continues over the next week. Flood watches are
in effect for southern Humboldt, southern Trinity, Mendocino, and
Lake counties varying in length through Tuesday. Additionally, river
flood watches have been issued for the Navarro River and Russian
River near Hopland. Of particular note is the Russian River is
forecast to rise above flood stage and persist in flood stage for a
while. Farther north the Eel River at Fernbridge is also now
expected to rise into flood stage and the Mad River could move into
Monitor Stage. /RPA
&&
.EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...
Wind Advisory from noon today to 4 AM PST Sunday for CAZ101-
104-109.
Wind Advisory until 4 AM PST Sunday for CAZ102-103-105-106-
108-110>115.
Flood Watch through Sunday evening for CAZ104-106.
High Wind Warning until noon PST today for CAZ104-109.
Winter Storm Warning until 4 PM PST this afternoon for
CAZ107.
Flood Watch through Tuesday afternoon for CAZ108>115.
NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS...
Gale Warning until 3 AM PST Sunday for PZZ450-470.
Storm Warning until 9 AM PST this morning for PZZ455-475.
&&
Visit us at https://www.weather.gov/eureka
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter at:
https://www.facebook.com/NWSEureka
https://www.twitter.com/NWSEureka
For forecast zone information
see the forecast zone map online:
https://www.weather.gov/images/eka/zonemap.pngHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Eureka CA 354 AM PST Sat Jan 7 2023 CAZ101-081200- Coastal Del Norte- 354 AM PST Sat Jan 7 2023 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 4 AM PST SUNDAY... This hazardous weather outlook is for northwest California. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. A Wind Advisory is currently in effect. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. CAZ108-110>115-081200- Southern Trinity-Northwestern Mendocino Interior- Northeastern Mendocino Interior-Southwestern Mendocino Interior- Southeastern Mendocino Interior-Northern Lake-Southern Lake- 354 AM PST Sat Jan 7 2023 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST SUNDAY... ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON... This hazardous weather outlook is for northwest California. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. A Wind Advisory is currently in effect. A Flood Watch is currently in effect. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. A Flood Watch is currently in effect. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. CAZ102-103-105-081200- Del Norte Interior-Northern Humboldt Coast- Northern Humboldt Interior- 354 AM PST Sat Jan 7 2023 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST SUNDAY... This hazardous weather outlook is for northwest California. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. A Wind Advisory is currently in effect. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. CAZ106-081200- Southern Humboldt Interior- 354 AM PST Sat Jan 7 2023 ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST SUNDAY... ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING... This hazardous weather outlook is for northwest California. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. A Flood Watch is currently in effect. A Wind Advisory is currently in effect. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. A Flood Watch is currently in effect. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. CAZ104-081200- Southwestern Humboldt- 354 AM PST Sat Jan 7 2023 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON PST TODAY... ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING... ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 4 AM PST SUNDAY... This hazardous weather outlook is for northwest California. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. A Flood Watch is currently in effect. A High Wind Warning is currently in effect. A Wind Advisory is currently in effect later today. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. A Flood Watch is currently in effect. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. CAZ109-081200- Mendocino Coast- 354 AM PST Sat Jan 7 2023 ...HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON PST TODAY... ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON... ...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 4 AM PST SUNDAY... This hazardous weather outlook is for northwest California. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. A High Wind Warning is currently in effect. A Flood Watch is currently in effect. A Wind Advisory is currently in effect later today. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. A Flood Watch is currently in effect. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. CAZ107-081200- Northern Trinity- 354 AM PST Sat Jan 7 2023 ...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON... This hazardous weather outlook is for northwest California. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. A Winter Storm Warning is currently in effect. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EUREKA CA
456 AM PST SAT JAN 7 2023
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0327 AM HEAVY RAIN 2 ESE DOS RIOS 39.71N 123.32W
01/07/2023 E1.00 INCH MENDOCINO CA LAW ENFORCEMENT
A SLIDE OCCURRED ON HWY 162 NEAR DOS RIOS.
&&
JLWThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
18 strong wind, 7 flood, 7 heavy rain, 5 high wind, 1 winter weather, 1 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
A large oak tree fell onto Jones Street in Ukiah. Power lines were cut as a result.
Tree down across roadway.
Highway 1 closed due to flooding on the Garcia River.
Flooding from Holmes Flat Road to Barkdull Road.
Tree down across HWY 1.
State route 128 was closed due to flooding.
A large tree fell on a house causing major damage.
Strong wind knocked a tree down.
Trees down across roadway and live wires.
Tree down across HWY 101 due to strong wind.
Tree down across roadway.
Mudslide across HWY 101.
Rock slide across roadway.
Heavy rain caused rocks to fall across roadway.
Roadway blocked by a rock slide.
Earth slide partially covering HWY 299.
Northbound lane of HWY 101 closed due to flooding.
Rock and mud slide caused a full closure of HWY 36.
Tree down due to strong wind.
Tree down across roadway.
A 24 hour snowfall total of 6 inches. Location of the report is above 5000 feet.
Overnight snowfall of 14 inches.
Gust to 68 mph.
Gust to 77 mph.
Tree down across HWY 36.
Gust to 81 mph.
Tree down across HWY 101.
Fatality occurred when a tree fell due to strong winds onto a house.
Earth slides across HWY 20.
Gust to 86 mph.
A tree fell across a portion of HWY 101.
Tree down across a road.
Over 10,000 customers without power in and around Crescent City due to strong winds.
Two trees fell across HWY 1 due to strong wind.
Crescent City ASOS measured a high wind gust of 68 mph.
Strong wind knocked a tree down across HWY 101.
Road closure due to flood waters.
Highway 1 was closed due to flood waters.
Water rescue occurred when a truck became trapped in flood waters near Scotts Creek.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strong Wind, Mendocino Coast | 2023-01-09 | Permanent Home | Direct |
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, 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: 1074829, 1074160, 1074830, 1074831, 1074835, 1074836, 1074848, 1074834, 1074838, 1074833, 1074837, 1074839, 1074841, 1074842, 1074840, 1074843, 1074844, 1074845, 1074846, 1074847, 1075146, 1075145, 1074859, 1074852, 1074851, 1074861, 1074868, 1075143, 1074869, 1074871, 1075133, 1075136, 1075142, 1075137, 1075138, 1075139, 1075254, 1075255, 1075256.