The strong low pressure system which approached the area on January 31 pulled up a deep surge of tropical moisture which brought moderate to heavy precipitation to much of the area on February 1 through the morning of February 2. 5 to 3 inches of liquid precipitation.
Every event with a place to put it; 34 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.
The strong low pressure system which approached the area on January 31 pulled up a deep surge of tropical moisture which brought moderate to heavy precipitation to much of the area on February 1 through the morning of February 2. Much of the San Joaquin Valley, West Side Hills and Tehachapi Mountains measured between 0.75 inches and 1.50 inches of rainfall while the Sierra Foothills picked up 1 to 2 inches of rainfall ands the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada picked up 1.5 to 3 inches of liquid precipitation. The precipitation fell as snow above 6000 feet for much of this event with several higher elevation SNOTELs picking up an estimated 1 to 2 feet of new snow. In addition to the precipitation, there were several reports of wind gusts exceeding 60 mph near Tehachapi and in the Grapevine area during the early morning of February 1. When the main cold front from this system moved across central California during the afternoon of February 1, scattered thunderstorms broke out over the San Joaquin Valley and Sierra foothills. Some of the storms produced small hail and there were several reports of roadway flooding in Bakersfield. The precipitation tapered off by the morning of February 2.
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 Jan 31, 4:38 PM PST, 8 hours 22 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Hanford CA 438 PM PST Wed Jan 31 2024 .UPDATE...Updated air quality issues section. && .KEY MESSAGES... 1. Damaging south winds gusts are expected along the Interstate 5 corridor through the Grapevine until tonight. Strong, gusty south winds are anticipated in the Coastal Range and San Joaquin Valley today and tonight. 2. Major to extreme winter storm impacts in the Sierra Nevada above 5,000 feet this evening through Thursday evening due to snow amounts up to four feet. 3. Excessive rainfall in the Sierra Nevada below 5,000 feet and adjacent foothills may cause flooding and mudslides this evening through Thursday afternoon. 4. A few strong thunderstorms are possible in most of Central California Thursday afternoon and Thursday evening. && .DISCUSSION... The first storm system that will be impacting central California with significant rainfall and mountain snow is encroaching on northern portions of our area. This system is currently creating gusty southerly winds across much of the area. A wind advisory is in effect for the San Joaquin Valley and Coastal Range through 4 AM Thursday. With probabilities as high as 50 to 60 percent for wind gusts in excess of 56 knots in the Tehachapi and San Emigdio Mountains, a High Wind Warning is in effect through 4 AM Thursday. As the system moves through the region, precipitation will become heavy this evening and into Thursday, before tapering off on Friday. Rainfall totals through Friday will be as much as one to one and a quarter inches in the Merced County area, tapering to around three quarters of an inch in the south Valley. One to three inches is expected in higher terrain below the snow line. Blended model guidance suggests 50 to 60 percent probabilities for 3 inches of rain or more in the Sierra Foothills by early Friday morning. A Flood Watch has been issued for this area and for the Coastal Range north of highway 198. Thunderstorms will also be possible as the frontal trough pushes through the area Thursday. With snowfall totals of 1 to 2 feet likely between 5 and 6 thousand feet and several feet at higher elevations, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for the mountains above 5000 ft through Friday afternoon. As this storm system moves out of the region, we will get a slight break from precipitation later Friday and Saturday before another atmospheric river event begins to impact our area Sunday. Precipitation with this next system will continue into at least Tuesday, with additional impactful amounts of rain and mountain snow. && .AVIATION... Expect widespread MVFR conditions in precipitation, with local IFR or lower conditions and mountain obscuration in heavier showers. A few thunderstorms are possible after 18Z Thursday. Southerly wind gusts in excess of 45 knots are possible across the Kern County Mountains through 12Z Thursday. && .AIR QUALITY ISSUES... ISSUED: 01/31/2024 16:03 EXPIRES: 02/01/2024 23:59 On Thursday February 1 2024, 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 medium. 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... Wind Advisory until 4 AM PST Thursday for CAZ300>316. Flood Watch through late Thursday night for CAZ300-317>322-324- 325-332. Winter Storm Warning above 5000 feet from 10 PM this evening to 4 PM PST Friday for CAZ323-326>331. Winter Storm Warning above 5000 feet from 4 AM Thursday to 4 PM PST Friday for CAZ333-334-336. High Wind Warning until 4 AM PST Thursday for CAZ334>336. && Public/Aviation....JEB IDSS................SM weather.gov/hanford
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Hanford CA
730 PM PST Wed Jan 31 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0715 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg Lamont 35.27N 118.91W
01/31/2024 Kern CA Law Enforcement
CHP reports a large tree down blocking the
North and South bound lanes of Highway 184
at the Panama Road crossing.
&&
VJPPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Hanford CA
744 PM PST Wed Jan 31 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0718 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 5 SSW Livingston 37.32N 120.74W
01/31/2024 Merced CA Law Enforcement
CHP reports a large tree down blocking the
intersection of Rose Ave and Robin Ave.
&&
VJPPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Hanford CA
859 PM PST Wed Jan 31 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0834 PM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 ENE Bakersfield 35.37N 118.96W
01/31/2024 Kern CA Law Enforcement
A large tree down across Monterey St near
Barlow St reported by CHP.
&&
VJPThe San Joaquin Valley radar (KHNX), 146 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:24 UTC.
26 heavy snow, 13 flood, 8 high wind, 1 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.
The Dana Meadows SNOTEL (9800 feet) picked up an estimated 14 inches of new snowfall.
The Horse Meadow SNOTEL (8400 feet) picked up an estimated 26 inches of new snowfall.
The Ostrander Lake SNOTEL (8200 feet) picked up an estimated 20 inches of new snowfall.
The Tenaya Lake SNOTEL (8150 feet) picked up an estimated 19 inches of new snowfall.
The White Wolf SNOTEL (7900 feet) picked up an estimated 19 inches of new snowfall.
The Paradise Meadow SNOTEL (7676 feet) picked up an estimated 15 inches of new snowfall.
The Gin Flat SNOTEL (7201 feet) picked up an estimated 13 inches of new snowfall.
The Kaiser Point SNOTEL (9131 feet) picked up an estimated 13 inches of new snowfall.
The Devil's Post Pile SNOTEL (8004 feet) picked up an estimated 18 inches of new snowfall.
The Green Mountain SNOTEL (7900 feet) picked up an estimated 22 inches of new snowfall.
The Chilkoot Meadow SNOTEL (7150 feet) picked up an estimated 19 inches of new snowfall.
The Poison Ridge SNOTEL (6988 feet) picked up an estimated 25 inches of new snowfall.
The Blackcap Basin SNOTEL (10300 feet) picked up an estimated 19 inches of new snowfall.
The West Woodchuck Meadow SNOTEL (9209 feet) picked up an estimated 21 inches of new snowfall.
The Tamarack Summit SNOTEL (7613 feet) picked up an estimated 12 inches of new snowfall.
The Bishop Pass SNOTEL (11972 feet) picked up an estimated 14 inches of new snowfall.
The Charlotte Lake SNOTEL (11961 feet) picked up an estimated 13 inches of new snowfall.
The State Lakes SNOTEL (10419 feet) picked up an estimated 18 inches of new snowfall.
The Upper Bull SNOTEL (8073 feet) picked up an estimated 15 inches of new snowfall.
The Upper Tyndall Creek SNOTEL (11443 feet) picked up an estimated 12 inches of new snowfall.
The Farewell Gap SNOTEL (9500 feet) picked up an estimated 20 inches of new snowfall.
The Chagoopa Plateau SNOTEL (9450 feet) picked up an estimated 16 inches of new snowfall.
The Pascoes SNOTEL (9153 feet) picked up an estimated 16 inches of new snowfall.
The Wet Meadows SNOTEL (9019 feet) picked up an estimated 16 inches of new snowfall.
The Casa Vieja Meadows SNOTEL (8300 feet) picked up an estimated 16 inches of new snowfall.
The Beach Meadows SNOTEL (7650 feet) picked up an estimated 16 inches of new snowfall.
The Southern California Edison station at Tejon Hills measured a peak wind gust of 65 mph.
The Southern California Edison station at Tejon Hills East measured a peak wind gust of 64 mph.
The Southern California Edison Station at Lebec 5NW measured a peak wind gust of 75 mph.
The Southern California Edison Station at Grapevine measured a peak wind gust of 66 mph.
The Southern California Edison station at Cummings Valley measured a peak wind gust of 60 mph.
The Southern California Edison Station at Grapevine Rd. East measured a peak wind gust of 65 mph.
The Southern California Edison station at Stallion Springs measured a peak wind gust of 64 mph.
The Southern California Edison station at Stallion Springs Bold Venture measured a peak wind gust of 58 mph.
Pictures of a funnel cloud southwest of Tulare posted on Facebook.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding on Washington Ave. near the intersection of Wells Ave.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding on SR 99 near the Ming Ave. exchange.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding southbound SR 99 near Rosedale Hwy.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding at the intersection of Texas St. and Hayslett Ave.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding at the intersection of Mount Vernon Ave. and Center St. with a vehicle stuck in the flooded section of the roadway.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding with 8 inches of standing water on SR 58 near the intersection of Oswell St.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding at the intersection of SR 58 and Cottonwood Rd.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding on Dylan Way in Armona.
Public report of roadway flooding at the intersection of Ave. 360 and Rd. 76.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding at the intersection of SR 204 and Airport Dr.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding at the intersection of SR 58 and Fairfax Rd.
California Highway Patrol reported rocks and mud in the roadway of SR 178 at the mouth of Kern River Canyon.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding at the intersection of SR 58 and south H St.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in California in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in California, February 2024
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: 1150551, 1150552, 1150553, 1150554, 1150555, 1150556, 1150557, 1150558, 1150559, 1150560, 1150561, 1150562, 1150563, 1150564, 1150565, 1150566, 1150567, 1150568, 1150569, 1150570, 1150571, 1150572, 1150573, 1150574, 1150575, 1150576, 1150348, 1150349, 1150353, 1150354, 1150351, 1150355, 1150350, 1150352, 1150537, 1150538, 1150539, 1150540, 1150541, 1150542, and more.