A third, powerful, winter storm brought significant impacts to Southwestern California. Rainfall totals ranged between 2 and 12 inches with the highest totals across southern Santa Barbara county and western Ventura county.
Every event with a place to put it; 3 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 LOX wrote it up.
A third, powerful, winter storm brought significant impacts to Southwestern California. Rainfall totals ranged between 2 and 12 inches with the highest totals across southern Santa Barbara county and western Ventura county. With the heavy rainfall, numerous reports of flooding and mud/debris flows were reported. Also, some gusty winds were 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 Los Angeles, CA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Feb 18, 3:11 PM PST, 2 hours 54 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
311 PM PST Sun Feb 18 2024
.SYNOPSIS...18/248 PM.
A strong Pacific storm will impact the region through Wednesday,
bringing periods of heavy rain, gusty winds, cooler temperatures,
high- elevation snow, and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Dry
weather with warming temperatures are expected to follow on
Thursday and Friday. Unsettled weather may return next weekend.
&&
.SHORT TERM (TDY-WED)...18/253 PM.
...POWERFUL PACIFIC STORM TO BRING WIDESPREAD Significant
FLOODING AND MUDSLIDE RISK ALONG WITH A GROWING SEVERE WEATHER
THREAT...
The Flood Watch goes into effect across most of southwest
California early this evening and continues through Wednesday
Morning. Except for Los Angeles County where we have delayed the
Watch until early Monday morning given the delayed start of
heavier rain further to the south. Rainfall totals through
Wednesday continue to largely be 2 to 5 inches except 4 to 8
inches mountains and foothills as well as the Santa Barbara South
Coast. Isolated 10 inch totals are looking more likely in the
Santa Lucia and Santa Ynez mountains. Peak rainfall rates of 0.5
to 1 inch are likely, with the higher end of the range focused
across south facing mountain slopes and foothills as well as in
thunderstorms. The lower end of the range is focused across
coastal/valley areas and eastern portions of Los Angeles County.
We now have increased confidence in heavy rainfall and flood
impacts across the Central Coast where the Weather Prediction
Center has upgraded to a Moderate Risk of excessive rainfall and
flash flooding through tonight. With this upgrade, much of western
Ventura County (focused across the mountains) north to the
Central Coast is covered by the fairly rare Moderate Risk. This
risk is focused across the Central Coast and southern Santa
Barbara County through tonight and southern Santa Barbara County
into western Ventura County Monday into Monday night.
Rapid rises in small streams and urban flooding is likely during
periods of heavier rainfall, especially within the Moderate Risk
area. Debris flows, mudslides, and landslides could happen just
about anywhere within the Flood Watch area as even LA County,
which is expecting somewhat lower rainfall totals, took the brunt
of the last storm, leaving them more susceptible to this kind of
activity. It may be best to avoid travel if possible late this
through Monday or Tuesday for areas that are hardest hit by the
storm.
Storm evolution details: Widespread moderate to heavy rain will
overspread much of the region this afternoon to evening, but will
be delayed into tonight or Monday morning for Ventura and
especially Los Angeles County. A very strong 170 mph jet streak
and modest lapse rates will support a chance (20-30 percent) of
thunderstorms building into the region around the same time frame.
Any thunderstorms or convective showers may support dangerous
cloud-to-ground lightning, gusty and damaging winds, and a brief
water spout or tornado. This threat is greatest late this
afternoon to evening hours across the Central Coast, possibly
expanding southward tonight into early Monday morning to
incorporate southern Santa Barbara County. There is a 40-60 chance
that the front associated with widespread moderate rain with
embedded heavier rain will stall near Los Angeles late Monday into
Tuesday. North of this region will likely be more convective in
nature with some longer breaks in activity possible followed by
intense periods of rain. We have increasing confidence in a second
round of organized convection later Tuesday through early
Wednesday. Positioning and strength of an open low pushing through
the region and exiting strong jet streak may set the stage for
isolated strong thunderstorms capable of frequent lightning,
damaging winds, and a few brief tornadoes. This threat would be
greatest for coastal areas of Los Angeles, Ventura, and southern
Santa Barbara Counties. Heavy rainfall may become an increasing
threat during this period as well given the very wet antecedent
conditions.
Snow levels during the peak of the storm will be high 8000+ feet
lowering to around 7000 feet into Monday or Tuesday. Above 8000
feet there is the potential for several feet of snow with 5 to 10
inches possible between 7000-8000 feet. With snow levels mostly
above resort levels have opted to hold off on any winter
headlines, although snow levels may drop sufficiently for greater
snow impacts later Tuesday and especially into Tuesday night with
snow levels dipping down to around 6000 feet.
A secondary hazard increased by the wet soil is gusty winds with
gusts of 30 to 50 mph except up to 60 mph in the mountains of San
Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and northern Ventura county late this
evening into Monday. Downed trees and powerlines may add to
hazardous travel during this time.
.LONG TERM (THU-SUN)...18/246 PM.
Thursday into at least Friday should be quite with some warming
under a flat ridge ahead of our next potential period of active
weather.
Next weekend into potentially early next week now has the
potential for a moderate type precipitation event although the
cut-off/closed low type configuration which is showing up in much
of the guidance is a very low confidence scenario. But one worth
keeping an eye especially following the very wet period in the
short term.
Below normal temperatures and near to slightly above precipitation
is favored looking into later next week.
&&
.AVIATION...18/2310Z.
At 2300Z, there was no marine inversion or marine layer at KLAX.
However, there was a deep moist layer up to 8000 feet.
Overall, low to moderate confidence in 00Z TAF package. Lowest
confidence rests with the coastal and valley sites as deep moist
layer and approaching system will keep a BKN-OVC deck varying
between flight categories. Through this evening, conditions will
vary between VFR and MVFR levels. Later tonight and Monday
morning, conditions will vary between MVFR and LIFR levels.
Timing of category changes, as well as timing of rain, will remain
low through the period.
There will be a 15-25% chance of TSTMs through the period.
Through this evening, the threat will be from Santa Barbara county
northward with the threat spreading into Ventura/LA counties
later tonight and Monday morning.
KLAX...Overall, low to moderate confidence in 00Z TAF. There is a
30% chance of MVFR CIGs 00Z-03Z. For tonight, high confidence in
MVFR/IFR CIG and VSBY restrictions, but low confidence in timing
of flight category changes as well as timing of rain. Moderate
confidence in gusty southeasterly winds 08Z-21Z.
KBUR...Overall, low to moderate confidence in 00Z TAF. There is a
30% chance of MVFR CIGs 18Z-03Z. For tonight, high confidence in
MVFR/IFR CIG and VSBY restrictions, but low confidence in timing
of flight category changes as well as timing of rain.
&&
.MARINE...18/1255 PM.
For all the Outer Waters and Inner Waters north of Point Sal,
high confidence in current forecast. Seas will remain at Small
Craft Advisory (SCA) levels through Tuesday. Gusty southeast to
south winds are expected at times through Monday, and for the
waters north of Point Sal, there is a 60-80% chance of Gale force
gusts this evening through Monday morning. For Wednesday through
Friday, winds and seas will drop below SCA levels.
For the Inner Waters south of Point Conception, moderate to high
confidence in current forecast. For the Santa Barbara Channel,
there is an 80% chance of SCA level southeasterly winds through
Monday afternoon while there is an 80% chance of SCA level seas
tonight through Tuesday. South of the Santa Barbara Channel, there
is a 60-70% chance of SCA level southeasterly winds on Monday and
a 70% chance of SCA level seas Monday through Tuesday. For
Wednesday through Friday, high confidence in winds and seas
remaining below SCA levels for all the southern waters.
This large swell is expected to produce breaking waves at the
Morro Bay, Port San Luis, and Ventura Harbor entrances through
TUESDAY. These conditions have a history of capsizing vessels of
various sizes resulting in serious injury or death, even to the
most experienced mariners. Mariners are urged to stay clear of
these harbor entrances.
Finally, there is a 10-20% chance of thunderstorms across all the
coastal waters, beginning this evening and continuing through
Wednesday morning. Any thunderstorms would be capable of producing
brief heavy rain, gusty outflow winds, locally rough seas and
dangerous cloud-to-surface lightning. Also, there will be the
possibilty of waterspout development.
&&
.BEACHES...18/1254 PM.
A series of strong Pacific storms will bring large, long-period,
westerly swell to the region. The swell has an initial peak of
this morning, but a second, larger, peak is expected Monday into
Tuesday. The swell will slowly diminish on Wednesday.
High surf conditions are likely across west and southwest facing
beaches up and down the coast. Surf heights of up to 15-20 feet
will be possible north of Point Conception with up to 10-15 foot
surf possible south of Point Conception. The peak of the surf
will be Monday through Tuesday morning. Large and dangerous
breaking waves at west to south exposed harbor entrances will also
be possible during this time. This includes Morro Bay, Port San
Luis, and Ventura Harbor. A HIGH SURF ADVISORY is in effect
through Tuesday for all west and southwest facing beaches. This
may be upgraded to a HIGH SURF WARNING for the Central Coast and
Ventura County, Monday through Monday night when surf is expected
to peak.
There is the potential for advisory level coastal flood impacts
for west and southwest facing coasts during the early morning high
tides today through Tuesday, with the highest impacts possible on
Tuesday morning. South-facing coasts will be most susceptible to
coastal flooding early Tuesday. A COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY is in
effect for all coastal areas through Tuesday, focusing on the
Tuesday early morning high tides.
&&
.LOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...Wind Advisory in effect from 7 PM this evening to 4 PM PST
Monday for zones 38-343-344. (See LAXNPWLOX).
Coastal Flood Advisory in effect until 9 AM PST Tuesday for
zones 87-340-346-349-350-354-362-366. (See LAXCFWLOX).
High Surf Advisory in effect until 9 PM PST Tuesday for zones
87-340-346-349-350-354-362-366. (See LAXCFWLOX).
Flood Watch now in effect from late tonight through Wednesday
morning for zones 88-362-366>368-370-372-373-378>380-548. (See LAXFFALOX).
Flood Watch remains in effect through Wednesday morning for
zones 340>343-345>358-369-371-374>377. (See LAXFFALOX).
Wind Advisory in effect from 7 PM this evening to 10 AM PST
Monday for zones 340-341-346>348. (See LAXNPWLOX).
High Wind Warning in effect from 10 PM this evening to 10 AM
PST Monday for zones 342-345-353-377. (See LAXNPWLOX).
Wind Advisory in effect from 10 PM this evening to 10 AM PST
Monday for zones 349>352-376. (See LAXNPWLOX).
PZ...Gale Warning in effect until 9 AM PST Monday for zones
645-670. (See LAXMWWLOX).
Small Craft Advisory in effect until 9 PM PST Tuesday for
zones 650-673-676. (See LAXMWWLOX).
Small Craft Advisory in effect from 3 AM Monday to 3 AM PST
Tuesday for zone 655. (See LAXMWWLOX).
&&
PUBLIC...Munroe/Lund/ASR
AVIATION...RAT
MARINE...RAT
BEACHES...RAT
SYNOPSIS...KL/RM
weather.gov/losangeles
Experimental Graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook at:
https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=loxThe Vandenberg AFB radar (KVBX), 7 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 02:03 UTC.
20 flash flood, 16 debris flow, 2 strong wind, 1 high wind, 1 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.
Significant flooding closed Highway 1 between Black Road and Soloman Road.
Southerly winds, gusting up to 59 MPH, were reported at Mount Lowe.
Significant flooding on Highway 1 resulted in several vehicles being stuck in the flood waters.
Significant flooding resulted in the closure of Highway 1, in both directions, near Oso Flacco Road.
Heavy rainfall resulted in a mudslide across Turnpike Road near Cathedral Oaks Road.
Heavy rainfall resulted in a mudslide across Highway 166 near Sandy Creek Road.
Flash flooding resulted in the closure of Santa Barbara Airport.
Heavy rainfall resulted in a mudslide across Highway 101 near the junction of Highway 166.
Heavy rainfall resulted in a large boulder blocking Highway 33 near Old Creek Road.
Heavy rainfall generated flash flooding that resulted in the closure of Highway 144 near Milpas Street.
Heavy rainfall generate a mudslide across Highway 33 near Casitas Vista Road.
Heavy rainfall resulted in several large boulders (about half the size of a car) blocking Gibraltar Road.
Flash flooding forced the closure of Highway 246.
Swift water rescue teams rescued two people from San Marcos Creek.
Heavy rainfall generated a mudslide across Highway 1 near Yerba Buena Road.
Heavy rainfall generated a mudslide across River Road.
Heavy rainfall resulted in the flooding of the Carpinteria off ramp along Highway 101.
Strong winds knocked down a large tree across the southbound lanes of Topanga Canyon Boulevard near the intersection of Grand View Drive.
Swift water rescue teams rescued three people from the Salinas River.
Flash flooding resulted in the closure of the #1 and #2 lanes of Highway 101 from Seaward Avenue to California Street.
Heavy rainfall generated a mudslide across Sycamore Canyon Road near the intersection with Coyote Road.
Flash flooding was reported across Interstate 5 near Lankershim Boulevard.
Flash flooding resulted in the closure of Harris Grade Road from Rucker to Highway 135.
Flash flooding was reported at the intersection of Airport Road and Estrella Road.
Heavy rainfall generated a significant mudslide at the intersection of Highway 101 and State Route 154.
Flash flooding was reported on the Refugio Road offramp along Highway 101. Several vehicles were stuck in the flooded roadway.
Heavy rainfall resulted in several large boulders blocking both lanes at the intersection of Malibu Canyon Road and Piuma Road.
Heavy rainfall generated a mudslide, blocking the westbound land of Highway 1.
Flash flooding resulted in the closure of Highway 150 from Stonegate Road to Topa Vista Road.
Flash flooding resulted in the closure of a section of Buena Vista Drive, near Paso Robles.
Flash flooding resulted in the closure of Penman Springs Road between Union Road and Linne Road.
Heavy rainfall generated mudslides across Topanga Canyon Boulevard near Fernwood Pacific Drive.
Flash flooding resulted in the closure of Guiberson Road between Highway 23 and Torrey Road.
A funnel cloud was observed in the community of Santa Paula.
A mudslide was reported along Highway 1 at the intersection with Porto Marina.
Heavy rainfall generated a mudslide across Rotunda Mesa Road.
The combination of strong winds and wet soil knocked down a large tree across Interstate 5 near Valencia Boulevard. The tree struck a semi-truck, resulting in moderate damage.
Flash flooding was reported on Interstate 405 near Sepulveda Boulevard. One vehicles was disabled due to the flooding.
A large rock slide was reported across Malibu Canyon Road. Several vehicles experienced blown tires from the rocks on the roadway.
Flash flooding resulted in the closure of Palmdale Boulevard between 70th street and 87th street.
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: 1187826, 1187827, 1187828, 1187829, 1187830, 1187831, 1187859, 1187832, 1187844, 1187845, 1187846, 1187847, 1187848, 1187885, 1187849, 1187850, 1187854, 1187852, 1187886, 1187857, 1187862, 1187870, 1187868, 1187865, 1187864, 1187871, 1187875, 1187872, 1187882, 1187877, 1187879, 1187887, 1187890, 1187891, 1187892, 1187888, 1187889, 1187894, 1187893, 1187895.