Strong Wind — Santa Cruz Mountains, California

2022-09-18 · Santa Cruz Mountains, California

Event narrative

Tree and power lines down in roadway on highway at top of western in Ben Lomond.

Wider weather episode

An upper level jet diving down the coast of California, combined with plentiful lower level moisture advected from the Pacific set the stage for an early season rain storm and strong winds around much of the Bay Area and Central Coast. The highest winds occurred along the coast, where various sites reported gusts between 35 and 50 mph. A wind advisory was in effect from early Sunday morning through Sunday evening for the immediate coast and coastal hills. Highest rainfall totals were recorded in the coastal mountains from Sonoma County southward through Big Sur, resulting in localized flooding, downed trees/powerlines and debris/rocks sliding onto Highway 1 in Big Sur. A flood advisory was issued for a large portion of the Monterey Bay coastal zone and Big Sur coast from late night on the 18th through early morning on the 19th. Storm Total Rainfall measured 2 to 3.5 inches in North Bay Coastal Mountains, 1.5 to 2.2 inches in the Santa Cruz Mountains and 2 to 4.7 inches in the Santa Lucia's. Lower totals closer to an inch or less were recorded around the SF Bay Shoreline and coastal Monterey Bay.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1059282. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.