A series of storm systems impacted the Bay Area and Central Coast from December 19 to 25th, impacting Christmas holiday travel across the region. The most impactful systems arrived on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Every event with a place to put it; 9 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 MTR wrote it up.
A series of storm systems impacted the Bay Area and Central Coast from December 19 to 25th, impacting Christmas holiday travel across the region. The most impactful systems arrived on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Two tornado warnings were issued for the coastal regions of San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties based off radar indicated rotation. San Francisco International Airport reported delays of at least 300 flights during the storms, and over 400,000 customers across the Bay Area and 30,000 in the Central Coast lost power.
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 San Francisco Bay Area, CA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 21, 9:57 PM PST, 9 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Francisco CA
957 PM PST Sun Dec 21 2025
...New AVIATION, MARINE...
.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 344 PM PST Sun Dec 21 2025
- Flood Watch remains in effect through Monday afternoon for the
North Bay; extension in time and coverage likely
- Moderate to heavy rain overnight into early Monday across the
North Bay may lead to minor flooding over roadways overnight
into Monday morning, turn around don't drown!
- Chances for moderate to heavy rain increase for interior
locations south of the North Bay late Tuesday through early
Friday, with increasing chances for urban flooding and
extensive travel delays
- Impactful and likely very hazardous winds Tuesday through early
Friday along our entire coastline and higher elevations inland
- Dangerous beach conditions likely late Tuesday through Friday
for all Pacific Coast beaches
&&
.SHORT TERM...
Issued at 344 PM PST Sun Dec 21 2025
(This evening through Monday)
Steady rain, moderate to heavy at times, from the ongoing
atmospheric river will continue over the North Bay for the remainder
of today and through the overnight into early Monday morning. The
moisture plume oscillates back to the south, primarily over the Bay
Area during the day Monday, with both GFS/ECM IVT values backing
off, ranging from 0-250kg/m/s through the day tomorrow.
The most recent forecast for the Mark West Creek near Mirabel
Heights approaches action stage around sunrise Monday morning where
it will level off for the remainder of the day when the rainfall
shifts south. Despite the temporary weakening of the atmospheric
river, periods of moderate/heavy rain in the Santa Cruz mountains
will produce 2-3" from late tonight through Monday evening with
lesser amounts expected for the southern Marin coastal ranges and
the Santa Lucia, ~1-2" due to a nearly saturated boundary layer near
and along the coast.
Although much of the area is expected to see some rain Monday, it
will be mostly light and on-and-off away from the coastal ranges,
with little impact. Might be a good day to make final preparations
for the upcoming holiday. Beginning Tuesday, first along the
coastline in the morning, then later inland - the wind and the rain
ramp back up considerably.
&&
.LONG TERM...
Issued at 344 PM PST Sun Dec 21 2025
(Monday night through next Saturday)
Confidence is high for the strong winds to begin to develop along
our Pacific Coast line Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning. A
series of disturbances rounding the base of a trough associated with
a deepening closed low well to the north will produce 925mb flow
over 50kts at times below 80-90kt 500mb flow. By early Wednesday
morning, southerly winds along our coast from Big Sur up to Point
Reyes may reach 70-80mph at times. It will be very dangerous to
spend anytime near our beaches or to be in our coastal waters
Tuesday through Friday. The first wave will push a strong cold front
through our entire area early Wednesday morning with periods of
heavy rain and a slight chance of thunderstorms that could produce
strong wind gusts up to 70mph or higher along with brief downpours.
The North Bay and coastal ranges have been benefiting the most from
rainfall from the atmospheric river out ahead of the powerful upper
level low. Its Wednesday through Thursday when much of our interior
will see its highest rainfall totals. A High Wind Watch watch is
likely to be hoisted over the next 24hrs along our coastal areas,
and at least a Wind Advisory for large portions of our interior
Wednesday and Thursday (Christmas Day) when gusts may reach 40mph in
low-lying areas, and 60mph or higher along inland peaks. A second,
maybe slightly less dynamic front pushes through our area Christmas
Day through Christmas night, with similar impacts, periods of heavy
rain and strong winds. Winds begin to ease and a drier airmass
appears to set in over the course of the day Friday into next
weekend.
Remember, this is still 4-5 days out, the forecast details and
timing can and will change as we move through the holiday period.
Confidence is high that both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will
see our entire area experience periods of moderate/heavy rain with
strong winds. Keep checking back as the forecast is refined over the
coming days for improved timing of the worst impacts.
&&
.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 935 PM PST Sun Dec 21 2025
Rainfall expected to intensify across the Bay Area overnight and
through Monday morning with gusty southerly winds continuing into
late morning. Moderate confidence in winds turning more
northwesterly behind the cold front, but the cold front is
expected to stall along the Bay Area and gradually drift back
northwards by Monday night. This will result in winds shifting
back to southerly through the overnight hours Monday night.
Vicinity of SFO...Current radar showing rainfall offshore of the
SF Peninsula which is anticipated to impact the terminal through
the overnight hours tonight. Southerly winds will continue through
tonight and will likely become very light or even turn
northwesterly by Monday afternoon as the cold front sags south of
the terminal. This trend will reverse through Monday night as the
front gradually lift back to the north and winds become southerly
again.
SFO Bridge Approach...Similar to SFO.
Monterey Bay Terminals...Mostly dry through this TAF period with
very scattered showers during the Monday morning hours, which
will likely clear out through midday as the cold front moves back
to the north through Monday afternoon.
&&
.MARINE...
(Tonight through next Saturday)
Issued at 935 PM PST Sun Dec 21 2025
Showers continue across the waters north of Point Pinos tonight
and through Monday. Winds subside slightly Monday as the front
lift back to the north. A significant change takes place Tuesday
as a near-storm-force surface low traverses the waters from the
southwest towards the Northern California coast. This surface low
will undergo rapid intensification as it approaches the coast
Tuesday night. There is a chance for isolated thunderstorms across
the waters through Wednesday before another strong surface low
enters the waters late Wednesday night. Seas build through the
week and will be very hazardous to mariners with the potential for
wave heights in excess of 20 feet.
&&
.MTR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...High Wind Watch late Tuesday night for CAZ006-502>506-508>510-
512>518-528>530.
Flood Watch through Monday afternoon for CAZ502>506.
PZ...Gale Warning from 9 PM Tuesday to 3 AM PST Wednesday for SF Bay
N of Bay Bridge.
Gale Warning from 9 AM Tuesday to 3 AM PST Wednesday for Mry Bay-
Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 10-60 NM.
Gale Warning from 9 AM to 3 PM PST Tuesday for Pigeon Pt to Pt
Pinos 0-10 nm-Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 0-10 nm-Pt Pinos to Pt
Piedras Blancas 0-10 nm-Pt Reyes to Pigeon Pt 0-10 nm.
Storm Watch from Tuesday afternoon through late Tuesday night
for Pigeon Pt to Pt Pinos 0-10 nm-Pt Arena to Pt Reyes 0-10
nm-Pt Pinos to Pt Piedras Blancas 0-10 nm-Pt Reyes to
Pigeon Pt 0-10 nm.
Small Craft Advisory until 9 AM PST Monday for Pigeon Pt to Pt
Pinos 0-10 nm-Pt Reyes to Pigeon Pt 0-10 nm.
Gale Warning from 3 PM Tuesday to 3 AM PST Wednesday for Pt
Arena to Pt Reyes 10-60 NM.
Small Craft Advisory until 3 AM PST Monday for Pigeon Pt to Pt
Pinos 10-60 NM.
&&
SHORT TERM...JM
LONG TERM....JM
AVIATION...Behringer
MARINE...Behringer
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www.youtube.com/nwsbayareaThe Sacramento radar (KDAX), 100 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 06:05 UTC.
23 flood, 13 thunderstorm wind, 9 high wind, 2 flash flood, 1 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.
One foot of water was reported on Slusser Road north of River Road. Vehicle was later reported stuck in floodwaters on Slusser Road.
California Highway 1 was flooded on both sides at Bear Valley Road.
Up to a foot of water was reported in lanes of eastbound Interstate 80 just west of 7th Street.
Roadway flooding was reported on northbound Interstate 280 at John Daly Boulevard.
Roadway flooding was reported on the offramp from northbound US Highway 101 to the Candlestick Point area.
Around 1 foot of water was reported on the onramp from Buchanan Street to westbound Interstate 80.
One foot of water was reported on westbound Interstate 580 just east of Canal Boulevard.
Four to six inches of water were reported on the offramp from eastbound Interstate 580 to West MacArthur Boulevard.
Four to six inches of water were reported on eastbound Interstate 580 at Harrison Street.
Two large boulders blocked the northbound lane on California Highway 121 near Wild Horse Valley Road.
Flooding was reported on northbound Interstate 880 around a half mile south of 5th Street.
The PG&E station at Old Coast Tower reported a wind gust of 91 mph.
The PG&E station at Chualar Canyon Road reported a gust of 75 mph.
The Oak Ridge RAWS reported a wind gust of 89 mph.
The PG&E station at Mines Road North reported a gust of 77 mph.
The PG&E station at Pablo Point reported an 108 mph gust.
The PG&E station at Point Reyes reported a wind gust of 81 mph.
Half Moon Bay Airport reported a gust of 62 mph before the station lost power and stopped reporting.
The PG&E station at Santa Ana Valley Road reported a gust of 63 mph.
The PG&E station at Coast Road reported a gust of 81 mph.
The PG&E station on North Peak Access Road reported a gust of 67 mph.
The PG&E station on Black Mountain reported a gust of 75 mph.
The gauge along Belmont Creek at the Harbor Boulevard and Old County Road intersection reported major flooding, up to a stage of 5.64 feet.
The PG&E station on Monte Bello Road West reported a gust of 67 mph.
Flooding was reported on all lanes of eastbound Interstate 580 at Grand Avenue.
Flooding was reported on the number 2 and 3 lanes of southbound Interstate 238 at East 14th Street.
Roadway flooding reported on the transition between westbound Interstate 80 and eastbound Interstate 580.
Several inches of water were reported on southbound Interstate 280 at Woodside Road.
Two vehicles were stuck in floodwaters on eastbound Castro Valley Boulevard at Grove Way.
An Ambient Weather station on North Coast Ridge Road reported a gust of 58 mph.
A 114 mph wind gust was reported on Copernicus Peak on Mount Hamilton, damaging the Lick Observatory on the mountain. Time approximate based on intense radar returns in the vicinity.
The PG&E station on Gunsight Fire Road reported a gust of 90 mph.
An Ambient Weather station reported a gust of 60.6 mph.
Broadcast media reported that a tree fell in the El Granada area, which led to additional power lines and trees coming down. 4 vehicles were damaged. Additionally, a tree fell on an apartment complex causing exterior damage. Location estimated. Time estimated based on radar and surrounding wind gust observations.
San Francisco International Airport reported a peak wind gust of 73 mph at 2:56 AM. Wind gusts above 58 mph were noted between 2:40 and 2:59 AM.
Flooding was reported on the onramp from Alemany Boulevard to northbound Interstate 80. A vehicle was reported to have possibly been stuck in the water.
A tree was reported down on all lanes of California Highway 9 at Douglas Avenue.
The PG&E station on Mount Umunhum reported a gust of 90 mph.
The weather station at the O'Neill Sea Odyssey near Santa Cruz Harbor reported a gust of 91 mph. Damage to boats was reported within the harbor.
Vehicle stuck in three feet of water on westbound Interstate 580 west of 35th Avenue.
Vehicles were stuck in floodwaters on the onramp from Hickey Boulevard to southbound Interstate 280.
Vehicles were stuck in floodwaters on State Routh 85 southbound at Santa Teresa Boulevard.
Flooding was reported in the slow lane of northbound Interstate 280 south of Hayne Road.
The connector between southbound Highway 17 to southbound Interstate 280 was flooded.
A vehicle was stuck in water on southbound US Highway 101 around 3 or 4 miles south of San Ardo.
The PG&E station on Old Coast Tower reported a gust of 62 mph.
One to two feet of water blocked the number 1 and 2 lanes of the connector from eastbound California Highway 12 to southbound Highway 101.
A funnel cloud was observed around 1 mile off the coast of Asilomar.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in California in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in California, December 2025
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: 1299458, 1299470, 1299466, 1299468, 1299469, 1299460, 1299461, 1299463, 1299464, 1299499, 1299465, 1299840, 1299841, 1299559, 1299844, 1299558, 1299561, 1299226, 1299843, 1299842, 1299213, 1299214, 1299849, 1299215, 1299838, 1299839, 1299557, 1299556, 1299845, 1299216, 1300933, 1299217, 1299218, 1299225, 1299221, 1299846, 1299223, 1299219, 1299220, 1299848, and more.