A prolonged period of wet weather brought heavy snowfall and strong winds to the Sierra Nevada. Heaviest snowfall was observed from 12/24-12/26 when snow levels came down below the mountain passes.
Every event with a place to put it. 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 STO wrote it up.
A prolonged period of wet weather brought heavy snowfall and strong winds to the Sierra Nevada. Heaviest snowfall was observed from 12/24-12/26 when snow levels came down below the mountain passes. Snowfall measurements over the 12/24-12/26 timeframe were around 2-5 ft per Caltrans, Ski resorts, and UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab. Southerly wind gusts of 50-80 mph were observed as well across the Valley, foothills and mountains that resulted in numerous downed trees and thousands of power outages. There were also numerous reports of flooding in the lower elevations from heavy rain, including two fatalities and 3 injuries from vehicles that hydroplaned and crashed.
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 Sacramento, CA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 23, 1:41 PM PST, 10 hours 19 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Sacramento CA 141 PM PST Tue Dec 23 2025 For additional details on weather and expected impacts over the next 7 days, please visit weather.gov/sto/briefing. .KEY MESSAGES... - Series of atmospheric rivers will bring major holiday travel impacts from periods of heavy rain, heavy mountain snow, and gusty winds throughout the week. - High snow levels begin falling from late today onward. Heaviest snow is expected Wednesday and Thursday, with snowfall rates of 1-2" per hour at times. - Periods of heavy rainfall are anticipated across the Valley and lower foothills with additional flood impacts possible through the end of the week. - Strong southerly winds expected, with gusts up to 60mph Wednesday and Thursday. && .DISCUSSION... ...Today and tonight... A stream of moisture from the eastern Pacific continues to funnel into CA today and through the holiday week. Current radar has precipitation continuing at higher elevations, while a brief lull in activity is being observed in the Valley. HIRES guidance has this continuing through the remainder of the afternoon before heavy precipitation moves onshore and becomes widespread across the area. Snow levels are sitting around 7000-8000 feet and will slowly decline as we move into tonight and tomorrow. Southerly winds will increase as a shortwave moves onshore, with wind gusts of 40-60 mph overnight and into Wednesday. ...Wednesday through Friday... Band of heavy precipitation moves on shore late Tuesday into Wednesday morning. Rain overspread the area, with snow levels diminishing as colder air filters down aloft. Snow levels drop toward 4500-5500 feet in the Sierra by the later afternoon and into the overnight. The Coastal range and southern Cascades will see snow levels down to 3500 feet later on Wednesday through Friday. A lull in activity is expected during the day on Wednesday before another band of stronger precip moves on shore as the associated low pressure system moves onshore. Rain totals range between 2 and 5 inches within the Valley, with higher amounts at higher elevations. Flooding in susceptible urban and low lying areas, including small streams and creeks from the heavy rainfall. Embedded thunderstorms may bring higher rainfall rates at times, like in Shasta county. Remember to turn around and don't drown. Find alternative routes and make adjustments to travel plans if needed to avoid flooded areas. For the Sierra, the snowfall will range between 4 to 8 feet 5500 feet and above, with locally higher amounts at the highest elevations. Up to a foot of snow at 4500-5500 feet. Areas around the Coastal range and southern Cascades will see 1 to 3 feet above 4500 feet and up to a foot around 3500-4500 feet. Low level shear along the frontal boundary moving across the area brings the chance for isolated strong to severe thunderstorms, during the later evening and overnight hours on Wednesday. Main hazards will be gusty winds and small hail, with the low chance of a tornado. Wednesday and Thursday we will see strong southerly winds ahead of the frontal boundaries where wind gusts reach up to 60 mph. A lull in the strongest winds will be co located to the lull in precipitation. Winds will remain strong on Thursday before slowly diminishing by later Thursday and into Friday morning. Given the magnitude of expected rainfall, mountain snowfall, and gusty winds, major travel impacts affecting the holiday travel period are anticipated throughout the week. A combination of dangerous mountain travel conditions from heavy, wet snow and gusty winds and periods of difficult travel at lower elevations from heavy rain, gusty winds, and thunderstorm chances is likely Wednesday through Friday. If you have travel plans this week plan ahead, make alternate routes, have backup plans, and carry safety kits with you in case of an emergency. If you see flooded areas, turn around don't drown. Precipitation lingers Saturday morning in the mountains, with minor impacts. Otherwise, expect drier conditions over the weekend and into next week. Chance for low stratus to redevelop within the Valley over the weekend and early next week. && .AVIATION... VFR/MVFR conditions expected through 00z, becoming MVFR/IFR in widespread RA/SHRA after 06z although some LIFR possible at times in isolated +RA/+SHRA at low elevations. Snow levels 7000-8000 ft begin dropping to 5500-6500 ft after 09z Wednesday. Once snow levels fall, LIFR/VLIFR conditions anticipated over mountains in +SN/+SHSN and gusty winds. Precipitation expected to gradually clear after 13z Wednesday at TAF sites. Breezy south winds with gusts 20-25 kts prevail through 00z, then increasing with gusts 35 to 45 kts before becoming breezy again after 13z Wednesday. Stronger gusts expected along Sierra. Low level wind shear 45 to 55 kts at times between 00z and 12z Wednesday. && .STO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Flood Watch through Friday afternoon for Burney Basin / Eastern Shasta County-Carquinez Strait and Delta-Central Sacramento Valley-Motherlode-Mountains Southwestern Shasta County to Western Colusa County-Northeast Foothills/Sacramento Valley- Northern Sacramento Valley-Northern San Joaquin Valley-Shasta Lake Area / Northern Shasta County-Southern Sacramento Valley- West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada-Western Plumas County/Lassen Park. Winter Storm Warning from 4 PM Wednesday to 10 PM PST Friday for Burney Basin / Eastern Shasta County-Mountains Southwestern Shasta County to Western Colusa County-Shasta Lake Area / Northern Shasta County-West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada-Western Plumas County/Lassen Park. High Wind Warning until 4 PM PST Thursday for Carquinez Strait and Delta-Central Sacramento Valley-Motherlode-Northeast Foothills/Sacramento Valley-Northern Sacramento Valley-Northern San Joaquin Valley-Southern Sacramento Valley. &&
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Sacramento CA
958 PM PST Tue Dec 23 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0955 PM Landslide 6 SSW Diamond Springs 38.59N 120.85W
12/23/2025 El Dorado CA Dept of Highways
Mud/Dirt/Rock along SR49 / Union Mine Road.
CHP report states debris is too large to
drive over.
&&
JTWThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
25 flood, 6 high wind, 5 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
California Highway Patrol reported the canal flooded the bridge on Kirksville Road, making it impassable. One person drove their car into the high waters and became stranded, requiring a water rescue.
Southerly wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph were observed in the northern Sacramento Valley on December 24th and 25th. Redding Municipal Airport recorded a max southerly gust of 59 mph. Red Bluff Municipal Airport measured a southerly gust of 51 mph. Numerous downed trees, branches and powerlines were reported by California Highway Patrol.
Southerly wind gusts of 50 to 80 mph were observed in the central Sacramento Valley on December 24th and 25th. Oroville Municipal Airport recorded a max gust of 78 mph. The OPENSHAW RAWS measured a gust of 70 mph. Yuba County Airport measured a 67 mph gust. Beale Air Force Base measured a gust to 63 mph. Numerous downed trees, branches and powerlines were reported by California Highway Patrol.
Southerly gusts of 30 to 60 mph were observed from December 24th through 25th. McClellan Airfield Airport and Sacramento Mather Airport recorded southerly gusts to 58 mph. Sacramento International Airport measured a gust to 54 mph, with Sacramento Executive Airport measuring a gust to 56 mph. There were several reports of downed trees from California Highway Patrol.
Southerly gusts of 40 to 70 mph were observed from December 24th through 25th. Stockton Metropolitan Airport measured a gust to 55 mph. Modesto Airport measured a gust to 45 mph. There were several reports of downed trees and powerlines from California Highway Patrol.
Southerly wind gusts of 35 to 65 mph were observed from December 24th through 25th. PIKE COUNTY RAWS reported a gust of 64 mph. Placerville Airport measured a gust of 61 mph. BANNER ROAD RAWS measured a gust to 60 mph. Numerous downed trees and power outages were reported across the foothills.
Southerly wind gusts of 50 to 80 mph were observed from December 24th through 25th. COHASSET RAWS reported a gust of 67 mph. Numerous downed trees and power outages were reported across the foothills.
California Highway Patrol reported rocks in both lanes of State Route 20 from heavy rain.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding and a vehicle that hydroplaned as a result of the heavy rain.
California Highway Patrol reported a weather related fatality event with an SUV crashing into a power pole on Franklin Boulevard due to wet roads.
California Highway Patrol reported 2 lanes flooded on Interstate 80 West just West of Newcastle Road due to heavy rain.
California Highway Patrol reported one land of US Highway 50 West was flooded at Sunrise Boulevard, with several vehicles that had spun out.
California Highway Patrol reported flooded roads along the Cameron Park Onramp and US Highway 50 East.
California Highway Patrol reported the Business I-80 onramp at Auburn Boulevard was flooded.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding from heavy rain.
California Highway Patrol reported flooded roadways from heavy rain.
California Highway Patrol reported a minor mud/rock slide impacting eastbound lanes at State Route 26 and Deardorff Road.
California Highway Patrol reported a minor rock/mud slide impacting westbound lanes at Obrynes Ferry Road and Duchess Drive.
Nearby CoCoRaHS at similar elevations measured 4 to 8 inches of heavy snow. The National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center estimated 2 to 10 inches of heavy snow.
Nearby CoCoRaHS at similar elevations measured 4 to 8 inches of heavy snow. The National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center estimated 2 to 10 inches of heavy snow above 3500 feet, with 1 to 3 feet at the highest peaks.
Nearby CoCoRaHS at similar elevations measured 4 to 8 inches of heavy snow. The National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center estimated 2 to 10 inches of heavy snow above 3500 feet, with 1 to 3 feet at the higher peaks.
The public reported roadway flooding in Natomas from heavy rain.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding at Ord Ferry Road from heavy rain and rising water levels.
CoCoRaHS measured 5 to 10 inches of heavy snow at Chester CA at around 4500 feet. The National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center estimated 1 to 2 feet above 4500 feet with over 4 feet above 5500 feet.
Caltrans District 3 measured 1 to 2 feet of heavy snow above 5000 ft, with 3 to 5 feet above 6000 feet. Ski resorts in the Sierra measured 2 to 5 feet above 6500 feet. Numerous road closures, chain controls, and travel delays were observed from heavy snow over the holiday between 12/24-12/26. Caltrans announced seasonal road closures of the following passes due to heavy snow: CA-4 Ebbetts Pass (Alpine County), CA-89 Monitor Pass (Alpine County), and CA-108 Sonora Pass (Tuolumne County).
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding with lots of debris in the water, with a car that got stuck in the water, impacting State Route 99 and Garden Brook Drive.
California Highway Patrol reported multiple road closures in the vicinity of Chico from heavy rain. Some highways that were impacted include both northbound and southboune lanes of Highway 99 from Garner to Kiefer.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding from heavy rain.
California Highway Patrol reported a rockslide in the westbound lane of State Route 88 from heavy rain.
California Highway Patrol reported a vehicle partially submerged in water due to heavy rain, and the road heavily flooded at East Roseville Parkway and Swan Lake Drive.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding from heavy rain at Newcastle Road and Castle Oaks Court.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding in a mobile home park near 6900 Almond Ave.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding across both lanes of Brennans Road.
California Highway Patrol reported that flood gates were closed at County Road 22 near Yolo Bypass due to roadway flooding from heavy rain.
Around 3 PM PST on December 26th, a vehicle hydroplaned and crashed on Interstate 5 in Williams, CA in heavy rain. Initially there were 2 minor injuries and 2 critical injuries, but later one of the critical injuries was updated to a fatality.
California Highway Patrol reported roadway flooding in the entire lane with water about 8 to 10 feet wide and 4 inches deep from heavy rain.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flood, Sacramento | 2025-12-24 | Male | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct | |
| Flood, Colusa | 2025-12-26 | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
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: 1307690, 1307951, 1307954, 1307960, 1307970, 1307982, 1307985, 1308019, 1308022, 1307691, 1307693, 1307694, 1307695, 1307697, 1308033, 1308030, 1307699, 1307702, 1307922, 1307928, 1307929, 1307703, 1308036, 1307935, 1307940, 1307705, 1307708, 1308026, 1308029, 1307711, 1307712, 1307713, 1307714, 1308024, 1307988, 1308021.