Cold/Wind Chill — Southern Sacramento Valley, California

2025-05-19 · Southern Sacramento Valley, California

Event narrative

Local broadcast media shared information that crews found the body of a missing 23 year old fisherman who went into the water to cool down. He was walking in the river at waist level when he hit a drop off and was pulled underwater and struggled to swim. He went under the surface and never came back up. He was not wearing a life jacket. Water temperatures at the time were estimated to be between 65 and 70 degrees. The drowning occurred in Yolo County on the Sacramento River near Old River Road and Levee Road.

Wider weather episode

Two cold water drownings were discovered in the month of May due to area waterways running fast and cold from snowmelt. One occurred on the American River near Oregon Bar. Another occurred on the Sacramento River and was a 23 year old fisherman.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1249023. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.