Dust Storm — Bakersfield, California

2023-11-15 · Bakersfield, California

Event narrative

A Bakersfield television station reported a 5 vehicle accident along Bear Mountain Blvd near Arvin.

Wider weather episode

A frontal system moved through central California on November 15. A large offshore upper low pulled up some moisture which accompanied the frontal system as it moved through the area and widespread precipitation fell although amounts were light with generally a tenth of an inch or less of rainfall in the San Joaquin Valley and West Side Hills, a tenth to a quarter inch of rainfall in the Sierra foothills and a quarter to half inch in the Sierra Nevada with the snow level close to 10000 feet. The main impacts from this system; however, was a period of gusty winds most noticeably in the Grapevine area where a few locations measured gusts above 55 mph during the late morning and afternoon and also in the south end of the San Joaquin Valley which had some areas of blowing dust.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1143935. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.