High Wind — Mariposa - Madera Lower Sierra, California

2023-03-21 · Mariposa - Madera Lower Sierra, California

Event narrative

The PG&E station at Yosemite Pilot Peak measured a peak wind gust of 66 mph.

Wider weather episode

A strong upper trough moved across the region on March 21 and 22. This system produced strong winds across the West Side Hills, the Sierra Nevada and across the Kern County Mountains and Deserts where several stations measured gusts exceeding 60 mph. In addition, heavy snow fell in the Sierra Nevada where several high elevation SNOTEL stations picked up between 18 and 30 inches of new snow while liquid precipitation totals were generally between 1 and 2 inches. Much of the San Joaquin Valley picked up between a quarter and three quarters of an inch of additional rainfall over an already saturated ground while thunderstorm outflow winds knocked down several trees in and around Fresno during the afternoon of March 21.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1077361. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.