San Diego County Mountains storm history
Storm events recorded in San Diego County Mountains, California between 1950 and 2025.
406
Total events
0
Tornadoes
0
Hail
1
Floods
39
Deaths
$85.3M
Property damage
Most significant events
Strongest tornadoes, deadliest events, and biggest damage in this county. Up to 50 shown.
CalTrans reported a fatality on Highway 79 near Aguanga around 0545 AM PST on December 31st. The individual drove into a downed tree across the highway. Winds are estimated to be around 40 mph at the time of the accident.
Black ice following low elevation snowfall during the morning of February 6th occurred causing numerous accidents on Interstate 8 and 2 fatalities in separate accidents. One motorist slid off the interstate over a cliff and into a creek near Boulevard and another died trying to a…
Dense fog and rain limited visibility along Interstate 8 through the San Diego County Mountains. One person was killed when her vehicle drove off a cliff. Weather was confirmed as in influencing factor.
Snow began late in the morning and continued till around midnight. The heaviest snow fell between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. At the 3700 foot elevation, nine inches of snow fell in a six hour period. At the 5650 foot elevation, eighteen inches of new snow fell in a twelve hour period. In …
Named the Volcan Fire, this fire burned 685 acres west of Julian on Volcan Mountain. The fire destroyed 3 residences and 38 outbuildings. There were 6 minor injuries to firefighters. The cause of the fire was arson.
A group of men who had walked north from the Mexican Border near Tecate were found east of Julian suffering from dehydration and hypothermia. Skies were clear during their transit, daytime temperatures ranged between 100 and 117 degrees, and winds were southerly near 15 mph.
Wind gusts in excess of 70 mph toppled trees, damaged countless roofs, snapped power poles, and overturned high profile vehciles. Numerous large oaks and pines, some greater than 2 feet in diameter, were snapped at their bases. One large pine was seen hanging upside down from the…
Heat Heat
Tied daily record high temperature of 93 at Palomar Mountain. Daily record high of 106 at Campo. Daily record high of 96 at Lake Cuyamaca.
Heat Heat
Daily record high temperature of 106 at Campo.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Dept of Highways reported 2 inches of snow 2 miles SSW of Forest Falls.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Palomar Mountain at Birch Hill recorded a total of 10 inches of snow at 5700 feet.
Wildfire Wildfire
Border 2 fire on Otay Mountain burned in Santa Ana wind of 35 to 45 mph with relative humidity 8 percent and as low as 3 to 5 percent at night. The wildfire burned 6,600 acres and was contained by January 30. There were evacuation orders and warnings issued near Otay Lake.
High Wind High Wind
Buckman Springs, SDGE site, on I-8, reported 73 mph Santa Ana wind gusts. At least one big rig reported to be overturned on I-8 at 930 am January 23, 2025.
Wildfire Wildfire
The Resort wildfire erupted near 430 pm. Near SR 79 in Warner Springs. The brush fire burned around 25 acres before containment. The relative humidity was 10 to 15 percent.
High Wind High Wind
Hell Hole canyon RAWS Santa Ana wind gust.
High Wind High Wind
Sill Hill wind gusts to 66 mph SDGE (this is the windiest location in San Diego County during Santa Ana winds).
Wildfire Wildfire
Posta fire, just south of I-8 and south of old highway 80, burned 350 acres during very warm weather.
Wildfire Wildfire
Grove wildfire started around 1 pm PDT on July 25, 2024. About 900 acres was burned. Lightning occurred in the area and was suspected to cause the wildfire. State route 79 was closed by Highway Patrol.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
An extended period of excessive heat. On July 5, 2024, it was recorded as high as 106 to 108F at 3500 feet in the San Diego mountains including Descanso. Other days during the heat wave reached the mid 90s to 102F in the Cuyamaca, Laguna and Palomar mountains.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
A late season winter storm led to accumulating snow at many mountain communities in Southern California. Some notable snowfall totals include: 10 inches at Birch Hill on Palomar Mountain (5700') and 7 inches at Mount Laguna Lodge (6000').
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
A strong low pressure system brought heavy snow to portions of the San Diego County Mountains March 30-31. Some notable storm total snowfall amounts include: 9 inches at Birch Hill on Palomar Mountain (5700' in elevation) and 7 inches at Mount Laguna Lodge (6100').
High Wind High Wind
High winds impacted the San Diego County Mountains on March 30th. Peak wind gusts were generally in the 35-50 mph range. Some notable higher gusts include 61 mph at Palomar Mountain Lookout, and 58 mph at the Harrison Park SDGE site.
High Wind High Wind
High winds impacted the San Diego County Mountains on March 23rd. Peak wind gusts were generally in the 40-55 mph range. Some notable higher gusts include 69 mph at the Pine Valley - Horse Launch site, and 61 mph at the Lucky five Ranch SDGE site.
High Wind High Wind
Strong winds occurred across the San Diego County Mountains from the early morning on March 2 through March 3. The strongest winds during the late morning through late evening on March 2. The following are the strongest wind reports from this zone: Pine Valley - Horse Launch (439…
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Snow levels down to as low as 3500 feet, combined with a long-duration atmospheric river event, allowed for several feet of accumulating snow to occur at various locations in the San Diego County Mountains. Snow totals as high as 18 inches fell at the Mount Laguna Lodge (6100' in…
High Wind High Wind
Strong winds impacted the San Diego County Mountains from the evening of January 10 through the late morning hours on January 11. The strongest winds occurred from early to mid-morning on January 11. The following are the strongest winds recorded across the zone: Harrison Park (S…
High Wind High Wind
Strong winds impacted the San Diego County Mountains from the evening of January 6 through the morning on January 7. Widespread wind gusts over 35 mph were reported in this area, with a number of gusts over 50 knots. The following are the strongest wind reports in this zone: Boul…
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Up to 1 inch of snow fell as low as 5700 feet in the San Diego County Mountains on January 3.
Winter Weather Winter Weather
Up to 1 inch of snow fell as low as 5700 feet in the San Diego County Mountains on January 3.
High Wind High Wind
High winds occurred across the San Diego County Mountains starting on the evening of November 20th and lasting through the morning and early afternoon hours on the 21st. The Sill Hill San Diego Gas and Electric (SDGE) Mesonet site recorded a peak wind gust of 80 mph, while the Bi…
High Wind High Wind
Gusty Santa Ana winds occurred across the San Diego County Mountains starting during the afternoon hours on October 29, with the highest gusts occurring from the morning on October 30 through the early morning hours on October 31. Widespread wind gusts over 35 mph were recorded i…
Heat Heat
High temperatures across portions of the San Diego County Mountains at elevations generally below 5000ft on October 18th through the 20th were notably hotter than seasonal normal. Highs were routinely in the upper 80s to upper 90s during this time. Campo hit 98 degrees for a high…
Events by year
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 0 |
| 2024 | 16 | 0 |
| 2023 | 23 | 0 |
| 2022 | 40 | 0 |
| 2021 | 38 | 0 |
| 2020 | 27 | 0 |
| 2019 | 25 | 0 |
| 2018 | 19 | 0 |
| 2017 | 7 | 0 |
| 2016 | 11 | 0 |
| 2015 | 8 | 0 |
| 2014 | 25 | 0 |
| 2013 | 29 | 0 |
| 2012 | 16 | 0 |
| 2011 | 6 | 0 |
| 2010 | 4 | 0 |
| 2009 | 19 | 0 |
| 2008 | 14 | 0 |
| 2007 | 20 | 0 |
| 2006 | 5 | 0 |
| 2005 | 5 | 0 |
| 2004 | 4 | 0 |
| 2003 | 6 | 0 |
| 2002 | 6 | 0 |
| 2001 | 5 | 0 |
| 2000 | 2 | 0 |
| 1999 | 6 | 0 |
| 1998 | 8 | 0 |
| 1997 | 4 | 0 |
| 1996 | 2 | 0 |