High Wind — Indian Wells Valley, California

2023-02-14 · Indian Wells Valley, California

Event narrative

The Laural Mountain RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 72 mph.

Wider weather episode

A cold upper trough dropped southward from the Pacific Northwest into the Great Basin on February 14. This system was moisture deficient with precipitation amounts in the Sierra Nevada and Tehachapi mountains generally a tenth of an inch or less of liquid precipitation. However, strong pressure gradients accompanying the cold front which pushed through the area during the day produced period of increased winds across the area. Several stations in the Kern County Mountains and Deserts measured wind gusts exceeding 60 mph. Several highways were proactively closed across the Kern County Mountains and Deserts due to the strong winds. Increased winds also impacted the San Joaquin Valley where several stations measured gusts between 35 and 45 mph. Although impacts from blowing dust were minimal due to the abundant rainfall in December in January, an area of blowing dust west of Chowchilla did result in a 12 vehicle accident which resulted in the closure of SR 152 west of SR 99 for much of the day. The winds decreased during the evening as the trough moved to east of the region.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1069581. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.