A frontal system approaches the area with moisture and cold temperatures aloft, bringing low elevation winter precipitation in some areas.
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 EKA wrote it up.
A frontal system approaches the area with moisture and cold temperatures aloft, bringing low elevation winter precipitation in some areas.
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 Feb 13, 5:21 AM PST, 31 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Eureka CA
521 AM PST Thu Feb 13 2025
.SYNOPSIS...A storm system will continue to promote moderate to
locally heavy rainfall and gusty southerly winds through tonight,
with showers activity through Friday afternoon. There is a slight
risk of urban and small stream flooding for the southern half of
the area. Heavy snow above 2000 feet in Trinity County, before
rise above 3500 feet this afternoon and evening. Dry weather on
Saturday, before the next frontal system impacts the area Sunday
into early next week.
&&
.DISCUSSION...Water Vapor satellite imagery depicts a broad area
of cyclonic circulation (low pressure) approaching Oregon and
Northern California overnight, while an associated frontal system
coupled with an IVT greater than 500 kg/m/s is streaming across
the area. Radar imagery and surface observations depicts moderate
to heavy rainfall and strong southerly winds with this system.
Heavy snow is also occurring above 2000 feet across Trinity County
due to tapered cold air mass and reinforced upslope winds.
Strong gusty winds from 40 to 60 mph have been observed over the
exposed ridges. Although winds are expected to diminish early this
morning, a tight pressure gradient combined with a 40-55 kts jet
streak around 925-850 mb will promote a second round of gusty
southerly winds this afternoon and evening. This round will be
focused further south, especially in Lake County. Increasing
instability will allow stronger gusts to mix down. High
resolution models show peak gusts of 35 to 45 mph in valley with
gusts to 50 on higher ridges and around Clear Lake. Winds will
also most likely better mix along the coast in this period with
gusts to 35 mph. Wind Advisory remain in effect for southern Lake
County from noon through late tonight.
Moderate to locally rainfall rates are forecast to continue
through at least this morning. The widespread moderate
precipitation will wind down during the morning hours, followed by
additional rain and shower activity late this morning and
afternoon. Some showers may be locally heavy as cooler air aloft
arrives with an upper level trough.
A colder air aloft will subsequently spread across the West Coast
this morning into the afternoon hours. As result, instability will
increase to around 100- 200 J/kg of CAPE. Instability could allow
for low- topped isolated thunderstorms (10 to 20% chance) and
brief heavy downpours over the waters and right along shore this
afternoon and early evening. Convective allowing models (CAMs)
indicate localized strong returns over Mendocino late this
afternoon. Another round of periods of moderate to locally heavy
rainfall are anticipated. HRRR model indicated max hourly rain
rates around 0.20 to 0.50 inches, with the highest rain rates
especially in southern Humboldt, Mendocino and Lake counties. Such
rates will increase the risk of localized urban and small stream
flooding, especially around Clear Lake itself. That said, moderate
rain amounts overall will limit mainstem flooding concerns with
only a 20% or so chance of minor flooding along the Navarro river and
around 40% chance for the Russian river. As of early this
morning, all main stem rivers are forecast to remain below flood
stage. Rainfall amounts are forecast to range from 1 to 3 inches
through late tonight, with localized highest amounts up to 5.5
inches forecasted across the west- southwest windward facing
terrain. Additional rainfall amounts from this system are forecast
to range from few hundredths to 0.4 inches late tonight trough
Friday afternoon.
South wind has increased the snow levels quickly, especially
closer to the coast and for the southern half of the area.
Overnight, light snow less than 1 inch was observed at Berry
Summit Pass in hwy 299. Snow levels as low as 2000 feet early
this morning, most likely allowing for 3 to 6 inches of wet snow
along much of Highways 299, 3, and 36 in Trinity County. Webcams
from California Department of Transportation showed snow in Hwy
299 at Oregon Mountain Pass. Snow levels will most likely rise
above 4000 feet even in Trinity County this evening for the
southern portion, restricting further snow concerns only to high
peaks. However, snow level in NE Trinity will be generally above
3500 feet.
A break in precipitation is expected over the weekend, before a
series of frontal systems impacts the area Sunday through early
next week, along with another round of IVT flux. Currently only
about 20% of models show it being any stronger than a weak AR.
This second event will most likely be focused on the northern half
of the area. -ZVS
&&
.AVIATION...Gusty southerly winds 20 to 30 knots have fully developed
at the surface for both coastal terminals as the initial warm front
moves onshore. UKI has remained relatively calm beneath stable
conditions - mostly MFVR with periods of IFR during bands of heavier
rainfall. Moderate rainfall will continue across all terminals over
the next few hours, keeping ceilings and visibility's at MVFR. As
the low moves onshore beneath a deep cold trough, instability will
enable stronger gusts to reach the surface in the southern portion
of the CWA this afternoon. Isolated thunderstorms are also possible
at UKI during this period. Wind shear will likely become prevalent
again with this second round of heavy rainfall and wind, especially
at UKI. Winds will turn westerly and remain elevated at 10 to 15
knots this afternoon and evening. Model soundings indicate broad
ceilings <2000 feet overnight into Friday.
&&
.MARINE...A strong surface low is generating gale force gusts 35 to 45
knots in the outer waters and southern inner waters as a frontal
boundary moves through. Steep and hazardous 8 to 10 foot wave
heights are responding across all zones, slightly subdued in the
northern inner waters. Southerly winds will diminish but remain
elevated at 20 to 30 knots through this afternoon as the low center
nears the southern OR coast and begins to weaken.
As winds turn WNW behind the front, a large nearshore westerly swell
will begin filling into the waters this evening, further enhancing
already elevated seas. This swell is still on track to peak on
Friday morning at 15 to 17 feet at 16 seconds, coinciding with
another brief period of near gale winds on the backside of the low.
Significant wave heights approaching 18 to 20 feet are possible
Friday before quickly diminishing below 10 feet on Saturday. Another
fast moving system will bring another round of southerly winds
Saturday into Sunday.
&&
.BEACH HAZARDS...A large westerly swell will fill into the waters late
tonight into early Friday morning at 15 to 17 feet at 16 seconds.
This swell will be enhanced by near gale NW winds developing on the
backside of a strong low pressure system. Max surf heights 20 to 22
feet are possible during Friday morning to early afternoon,
especially on NW oriented beaches. Large breaking waves along the
coast will lead to increased wave run-up on beaches. Avoid large
rocks, jetties, steep beaches, and never turn your back on the
ocean.
&&
.EKA WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CA...
High Surf Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 2 PM PST
Friday for CAZ101-103-104-109.
Wind Advisory until 7 AM PST this morning for CAZ102-
104>106.
Winter Storm Warning until 4 AM PST Friday for CAZ107-108.
Flood Watch through this afternoon for CAZ109-110-112>115.
Wind Advisory from noon today to 2 AM PST Friday for CAZ115.
NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA COASTAL WATERS...
High Surf Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 2 PM PST
Friday for PZZ415-450.
Small Craft Advisory until 9 AM PST Saturday for PZZ450-455.
Gale Warning until 9 AM PST this morning for PZZ470-475.
&&
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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.
13 heavy rain, 11 flood, 2 high wind, 2 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.
A tree is blocking the road due to gusty winds. |Lat. 39.11N, Long. -123.20W.
Rock slide is blocking the east bound lane of HWY 36.|Lat. 40.49N, Long. -123.63W.
A rock slide blocking both lanes of SR299, 1 mile south of Burnt Ranch, CA.|Lat. 40.81N, Long. -123.47W.
Vehicle immobilized by snow 4 miles west southwest of Hayfork, CA|Lat. 40.55N, Long. -123.19W.
Flooding at Scotts Valley Road has caused it to be closed, 2 miles west of North Lakeport, CA. Lat. 39.08N, Long. -122.95W.
A landslide covering one lane of Pattison ranch road, 1 mile west northwest of Big Bar, CA.|Lat. 40.74N, Long. -123.27W.
Rockslide in the northbound lane of highway 101 3 miles north of Laytonville, CA.|Lat. 39.71N, Long. -123.49W.
A slide was reported on hwy 1, 8 miles north northeast of Fort Bragg, CA. Confined to the northbound lane of hwy 1. Lat. 39.56N, Long. -123.77W.
Large rocks have come to rest on the intersection of Orr springs road and North state street, 2 miles north of Ukiah. Lat. 39.18N, Long. -123.21W.
Huge boulder on eastbound lane of hwy 299, 1 mile north of Big Bar, CA. |Lat. 40.74N, Longt. -123.25W.
Eleven inches of snow measured, between midnight and 10am. Ten miles northeast of Weaverville, CA. Lat. 40.86N, Long. -122.80W.
Large rocks from a slide in the eastbound lane of hwy 253, 4 miles southwest of Talmage, CA. Lat. 39.09N, Long. -123.22W.
Redwood tree fell across Philo Greenwood road with 3-5 inches of rainfall recorded at local gauges within 24 hours, 3 miles southwest of Philo, CA. Lat. 39.04N, Long. -123.47W.
Highway 175 is closed due to flooding, 1 mile southeast of Hopland, CA.|Lat. 38.97N, Long. -123.11W.
Tree down blocking the westbound lane of hwy 253, 4 miles south southwest of Talmage.|Lat. 39.08N, Long. -123.21W.
Highway 128 closed from Mile marker 0 to mile marker 12.6 due to flooding, 9 miles west southwest of Comptche, CA. Lat. 39.20N. Long. -123.75W.
Flooding at Bertas road and Elk River road, 1 mile east southeast of Humboldt Hill, CA.|Lat. 40.72N, Long. -124.17W.
Boulders on highway 199, 5 miiles southwest of Gasquet, CA.|Lat. 41.81N, Long. -124.05W.
Mudslide reported on hwy 20, 8 miles west southwest of Willits, CA.|Lat. 39.37N, Long. -123.50W.
Flooding on Hookton Road, 3 miles north northeast of Loleta, CA.|Lat. 40.67N, Long. -124.20W.
Flooding on Cannibal Island Road 1 mile northwest of Loleta, CA.|Lat. 40.64N, Long. -124.24W.
Flooding on Port Kenyon Road, 2 miles west northwest of Ferndale, CA.|Lat. 40.60N, Long. -124.30W.
Flooding on Mad river road, 2 miles west southwest of Mckinleyville, CA.|Lat. 40.93N, Long. -124.13W.
Flooding on Freshwater road and Howard Heights road near Freshwater, Ca.|Lat. 40.76N, Long. -124.07W.
Flooding on Old Arcata rd between Graham rd and Jacoby Creek rd, 2 miles south southeast of Arcata, CA. Lat. 40.84N, Long. -124.07W.
Flooding at Elk River Road and Wrigley Road intersection, 2 miles south of Pine Hills, CA.|Lat. 40.70N, Long. -124.15W.
Shively road closed for a slipout, 1 mile west northwest of Pepperwood, CA. |Lat. 40.46N, Long. -124.00W.
Slide reported in westbound lane of Hwy 299, 2 miles east southeast of Del Loma, CA.|Lat. 40.76N, Long. -123.29W.
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, February 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: 1263521, 1263529, 1263537, 1263538, 1263539, 1266970, 1269909, 1269927, 1269937, 1269938, 1269940, 1269941, 1269953, 1270033, 1269984, 1270049, 1270328, 1270338, 1270340, 1270354, 1270440, 1270450, 1270456, 1270457, 1270458, 1270459, 1270460, 1270461.