After a very wet period from December 19th-21st, another round of storms brought more rain and damaging winds to the region in the days leading up to Christmas. Impacts were felt across the region from December 23rd to the 26th.
Every event with a place to put it; 28 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.
After a very wet period from December 19th-21st, another round of storms brought more rain and damaging winds to the region in the days leading up to Christmas. Impacts were felt across the region from December 23rd to the 26th. The worst of the winds impacts Mendocino County where most of the coast lost power, some areas for more than 24 hours.
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 Dec 23, 4:14 PM PST, 3 hours 46 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Eureka CA
414 PM PST Tue Dec 23 2025
.SYNOPSIS...The next round of heavy rain and strong wind returns
tonight through early Wednesday. There may be a brief break in
the weather Wednesday. More heavy rain, mountain snow, and strong
winds are expected Wednesday night and Thursday. Drier weather is
finally possible by the weekend.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
* Strong to Damaging southerly winds will bring an increased risk
of downed trees and power outages tonight through Wednesday
morning.
* Flood Watch in effect through Friday evening for Del Norte,
Humboldt, Trinity, Mendocino and Lake counties.
* Moderate to heavy rain tonight into Wednesday.
* Additional heavy rain and strong winds possible Wednesday night
through Friday.
* Winter Storm Warning for elevations above 4000 ft Wednesday
evening through Friday evening for Trinity County.
&&
.DISCUSSION...A strong storm system well off the West Coast will
continue to intensify rapidly late this afternoon into tonight as
a powerful deepened upstream trough and a surface cyclone (area
of low pressure) spinning up offshore approaches the California
coast. The surface pressure gradient is forecast to tighten
tonight as a low level jet (925mb) from 70 to 80 kts develops
along the coast. As results, strong to damaging southerly wins
gusts of 50 to 70 mph are expected to develop over the higher
terrain, channeled areas and the coastal areas tonight into
Wednesday morning. A High Wind Warning remain in effect for Del
Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino and Lake counties. A Wind Advisory
remain in effect for the ridges in Trinity County. These winds
will likely only last a few hours with this fast moving system.
Expect an increased risk of downed trees and power outages tonight
through Wednesday morning. Saturated ground and strong to
damaging winds will make it easier for tree to uproot.
Precipitation will increased rapidly from south to north late
tonight through Wednesday morning as downsloping winds weakens.
Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected tonight into Wednesday.
Also, an increasing instability with the mid- level cooling will
promote isolated thunderstorms late tonight and early Wednesday,
with the potential of some strong cells. The main threat will be
lightning strikes, strong erratic gusty winds and brief heavy
downpours. The potential for moderate to heavy rain is forecast to
diminish during the morning hours as the main band of activity
shifts inland.
Wednesday night through Thursday, a second Storm system embedded
to the deepen upper level trough will drive northeast toward
Norther California. This has the potential for another round of
strong southerly winds as the surface pressure gradient tighten
Wednesday night and a low level jet at 925mb from 60 to 70 kts
develops along the coast. The 12Z ECMWF Extreme Forecast Index
highlight widespread 90-99th percentile with a shift of tails of
1-2 over Mendocino and Lake counties, while 70th to 90th
percentile for areas north of Cape Mendocino. A well- mixed
boundary layer near or along the surface front will allow for
higher momentum air to mix down to the surface. There is a 45-65%
chance of gusts greater than 45 mph for the lowest elevations
widespread. For coastal headlands and higher elevations, NBM
indicates a 60-90% chance for wind gusts greater than 60 mph in
Del Norte, Humboldt and Lake counties. ECMWF ensemble mean 6
hourly wind gusts are over 50 mph for the Del Norte Coast,
specifically CEC and over 40 mph for the greater Humboldt Bay
area, ACV, EKA and FOT. There are more extreme members from 55-70
mph in the ECMWF distribution. Stronger wind gusts over 65 mph are
highly probable over the coastal mountains.
Rainfall amounts again look heavier in the south. IVT values are
lower with this system, but may last longer. They range from
around 250 to 500 kg/m/s, lowest in the north.
Cold air moving in from the deep trough could support lower snow
levels and greater instability. Snow levels may drop further to
3500- 4000 ft. The cold air aloft could support small hail showers
and isolated thunderstorms along the coastal areas Thursday and
Friday. Total snow amounts of 2-3 ft through Friday is possible at
Scott Mountain pass, while up to a foot is possible above at the
highest passes of Highway 36 (around 4000 ft), depending on how
much the snow levels lower. This colder air aloft will also bring
the potential for thunderstorms and possibly some small hail near
the coast through the day Thursday. A Winter Storm Warning is in
effect from Wednesday evening to Friday evening for elevations
above 4000 feet in Trinity County.
Friday the models are in general agreement that the low will
start to move out of the area. High pressure is expected to start
to move into the area bringing a break in the rain and wind for
the weekend. The valleys will likely see widespread fog and low
clouds each night and through at least the morning. /ZVS&MKK
&&
.AVIATION...A storm system will bring very strong winds overnight with
gusts 45- 60 kt across the region. At the ACV and CEC TAF sites a
brief period of gusts in excess of 45 kt will be possible during
the early morning hours on Wednesday. Lighter winds are expected
at UKI but still very gusty overnight. Very strong winds aloft
will result in strong shear at all the TAF sites until a couple
hours after the front passes. Additionally, MVFR to IFR ceilings
and low visibility due to period of moderate to heavy rain can be
expected. A brief period of less rain and wind is expected midday
Wednesday before the next storm approaches and more rain and wind
impacts the region. /RPA
&&
.MARINE...Gale and storm force winds are forecast tonight into
early Wednesday as a compact low accelerates northeastward across
the waters. Some of the models are showing winds as strong as 50
kt sustained winds at the surface. These winds will be relatively
shortlived with this fast moving compact low pressure that may
reach bomb cyclone status over the waters. Wednesday a swell is
expected to move in behind the winds. Waves are expected to build
to 10 feet at 10 seconds.
Another powerful storm is forecast to bring strong winds and large
steep waves Wednesday night. This storm may nearly reach bomb
cyclone status as well and may bring more storm force winds. This
one is expected to gradually weaken as it stalls out bringing an
extended period of strong to gale force winds through Thursday
night. Friday winds are expected to remain elevated then diminish
for the weekend. MKK
&&
.HYDROLOGY...The next rounds of rain are likely to produce
flooding impacts again across the area. While most ensemble
members show the heaviest rain heading to Mendocino and Lake
Counties again, significant rain is still likely for the entire
area. Small stream, creeks, and main stem rivers are all likely to
see impacts again. It is also possible the focus of the heavier
rainfall will shift north again. The main stem river are expected
to rise, but not expected to reach or exceed flood stage at this
time. This will need to be monitored closely.
There is a short break in the rain Wednesday before the next
system Wednesday night. The break might only be 8 to 12 hours in
some areas. The rainfall amounts look lower with this system, but
with the ground saturated, any additional rain could be impactful
given there is little time for basins to drain. MKK
&&
.EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...
Flood Watch through Friday evening for CAZ101>115.
High Wind Warning from midnight tonight to 9 AM PST
Wednesday for CAZ101-103.
High Wind Warning from 10 PM this evening to 10 AM PST
Wednesday for CAZ102-105.
High Wind Warning from 7 PM this evening to 8 AM PST
Wednesday for CAZ104-106.
Wind Advisory from midnight tonight to 10 AM PST Wednesday
for CAZ107-108.
Winter Storm Warning from 4 PM Wednesday to 10 PM PST
Friday for CAZ107-108.
High Wind Warning from 7 PM this evening to 6 AM PST
Wednesday for CAZ109>115.
NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS...
Storm Warning from 10 PM this evening to 10 AM PST
Wednesday for PZZ450-470.
Small Craft Advisory until 4 PM PST this afternoon for
PZZ455-470-475.
Storm Warning until 7 AM PST Wednesday for PZZ455-475.
&&
NOTE: The full forecast discussion is now regularly issued between
10 am/pm and 1 pm/am. Additional updates will be issued as needed.
Visit us at https://www.weather.gov/eureka
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For forecast zone information
see the forecast zone map online:
https://www.weather.gov/images/eka/zonemap.pngThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
22 strong wind, 11 high wind, 2 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Measured wind gust to 109 mph at the PG&E weather station near Cape Mendocino. Additional wind gusts between 70 and 85 mph measured at other weather stations in southwestern Humboldt County.
Kneeland RAWS reported maximum wind gusts to 62 mph.
Measured wind gusts between 50 and 63 mph along the Mendocino County coastline. The entire coastline lost power with multiple trees down across the region. Many locations were without power for over 24 hours.
Cahto Peak RAWS reported a maximum wind gust to 81 mph. Additional wind gusts between 40 and 55 mph were reported across the region. Isolated power outages occurred due to downed trees.
RAWS station near Yorkville reported a wind gust to 78 mph. Additional gusts between 40 and 55 mph were reported in the area. Multiple trees were downed and power outages were widespread.
Ship Mountain RAWS reported a maximum wind gust of 70 mph.
High Glade Lookout RAWS reported a maximum wind gust to 91 mph. Additional weather stations reported wind gusts between 45 and 60 mph.
Tree down blocking the entire road in Honeydew at the intersection of Wilder Ridge Road and Mattole Road.
Maximum wind gusts to 51 mph at Schoolhouse RAWS.
Tree down blocking both lakes of Bottle Road Road near Nancy Drive.
Tree down across the side of the road at Jefferson Lane and S. Dora Street.
Trees down blocking both lanes of Highway 29 near Bottle Rock Road resulting a full closure of the highway.
Two trees down 4 to 6 miles west of Willits on Highway 20.
Tree down blocking Hoiland Road in Laytonville.
Large tree down near the intersection of Lake Mendocino Drive and Rancho Grande Drive.
Tree down in the eastbound lane of Highway 20 within the Jackson Demonstration Forest.
Large tree down on Highway 1 near Elk on the Mendocino County coast.
Tree down covering the southbound lane of Highway 101 in Richardson Grove State Park.
Report of a very large tree down across Highway 299 blocking both lanes of the highway near Bair Road.
Tree down blocking Route 253 a few miles west of Ukiah.
Tree down blocking the road near the intersections of Ashford Road and Route 197.
Approximately a three-foot diameter tree down blocking most of Albion Ridge Road near Albion.
Creek flooding over the roadway near the intersection of Old River Road and Ruddick Cunningham Road.
Hookton Road exit off of Highway 101 is closed due to flooding on Hookton Road and Eel River Drive.
Tree down on Withington Way north of Lakeport.
Wind gusts between 40 and 60 mph at multiple weather stations. Maximum gusts to 79 mph at a PG&E station near Cape Mendocino and 66 mph on Cooskie Mountain. Winds peaked twice, overnight from the 24th to the 25th and again overnight from the 25th to the 26th with gusts in excess of 40 mph experience in-between.
Wind gusts between 40 and 60 mph at multiple weather stations. Maximum gusts to 68 mph at Kneeland RAWS. Winds peaked twice, overnight from the 24th to the 25th and again overnight from the 25th to the 26th with gusts in excess of 40 mph experience in-between.
Maximum wind gusts to 51 mph at the Crescent City Airport.
Maximum wind gust measured at High Glade Lookout RAWS with gusts from 50-70 mph at other weather stations in the area.
Multiple weather stations from PG&E and other stations reported wind gusts between 40 and 56 mph along the Mendocino County coastline.
Maximum wind gust of 78 mph at the Cahto Peak RAWS. Wind gusts were elevated for an extended period of time with gusts between 40 and 50 mph between peaks each night of the 24th into the 25th and the 25th into the 26th.
Highway 128 closed due to a large Redwood Tree falling across both lanes just west of Flynn Creek Rd. near mile post 9.9.
A tree fell in front of a vehicle on Highway 29 and the vehicle crashed into it.
Tree down across Seigler Canyon Road and Perini Road.
Foot-diameter tree down on Shelter Cove Road. Additional trees fell in other locations along the road.
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: 1309107, 1309109, 1309114, 1309117, 1309118, 1309135, 1309110, 1309149, 1309119, 1309151, 1309155, 1309168, 1309164, 1309160, 1309166, 1309163, 1309162, 1309169, 1309171, 1309172, 1309173, 1309175, 1309179, 1309180, 1309181, 1309137, 1309138, 1309139, 1309142, 1309145, 1309146, 1309182, 1309183, 1309184, 1309186.