High Wind — Indian Wells Valley, California

2022-10-22 · Indian Wells Valley, California

Event narrative

The China Lake NWTC ASOS measured a peak wind gust of 60 mph.

Wider weather episode

A cold upper low pressure center dropped southeast out of the Gulf of Alaska on October 21 and moved into into the Pacific Northwest on October 22. A strong cold front that was associated with this system pushed southward through central California during the afternoon and evening of October 22 which brought a period a strong winds to the south end of the Sierra Nevada and the Tehachapi Mountains and Mojave Desert slopes in Kern County. Several stations measured peak wind gusts exceeding 55 mph while a few low impact indicator sites recorded peak gusts exceeding 75 mph. This system also brought a much cooler airmass to the area as temperatures across the area were well above normal during the first three weeks of the month were well above normal on most. Temperatures finally cooled to near normal by the 22nd and to below normal levels behind the system on October 23.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1055623. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.