Strong Wind in Imperial County Southeast, California

Around 50 power poles were blown down along a north-south oriented dirt road that passes by the Ormesa 2 Geothermal Site east of Holtville. Timing estimated from radar and winds were estimated at 50-55 mph based on radar and the environment. Damage cost was estimated.

Spotty convective showers developed in the morning around Imperial County. These cells were fairly weak and may have produced a lightning flash or two along with some very light rainfall. At least one of the cells near Holtville managed to produce a localized microburst that knocked over around 50 power poles. The environment was favorable for strong downbursts given a dry sub-cloud layer with objective analysis showing DCAPE around 1400-1500 J/kg at the time of the event. Given the loose sandy soils of the area, power poles can fall over with sub-severe wind speeds. Thus, considering this, the environment, and the relatively weak intensity of the convective showers, winds were estimated at 50 to 55 mph.