Winter Storm — Northern Sacramento Valley, California

2023-02-23 to 2023-02-25 · Northern Sacramento Valley, California

Event narrative

Low elevation snow fell over the northern Sacramento Valley. Snowfall reports included 6 inches at Red Bluff (300 feet), 6.5 inches for northern Redding (580 feet), 5 inches at Redding Fire (near Redding Airport), and 4 inches at Red Bluff water treatment. The National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center estimated 2 to 8 inches fell for storm total snow. Interstate 5 northbound was closed 10 miles north of Redding at Fawndale due to winter weather conditions from 8:53 pm 2/23 to 1:00 am 2/24.

Wider weather episode

A powerful and cold storm system with heavy snow and gusty winds brought blizzard conditions. Snow amounts of 2 to near 5 feet were reported in the mountains. Significant snow fell down into the northern Sacramento Valley, with 3 to 8 inches of accumulation impacting travel. Many schools were closed or had delays. Wind gusts of 40-60 mph were recorded across the area, with gusts locally higher in the high elevations of the northern Sierra. The winds and low snow combined to cause dangerous travel conditions numerous road closures, including a closure of Interstate 5 north of Fawndale, on US Highway 50 and an extended closure of Interstate 80 across the Sierra.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1083207. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.