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Strong Wind in Santa Cruz Mountains, California

Strong Wind May 18, 2026 · Santa Cruz Mountains, California

53 mph

Measured gust (46 kt)

$10

Damage as recorded

What the National Weather Service wrote

The Ormsey Cutoff Trail station operated by PG&E reported a gust of 53 mph.

The wider storm

An inside slider pattern developed over May 15 to May 18 as a low pressure system over the Great Basin and high pressure in the eastern Pacific combined to create a strong pressure gradient, resulting in strong gusts and turbulent wind-driven seas. A Beach Hazards Statement was placed in effect for the entire weekend, while two separate Wind Advisories were put in place, one for coastal regions through Saturday and another for the interior mountains of the Bay Area Sunday night through Monday morning. The strong winds caused an estimated 13,000 customers across the Bay Area to lose power.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event 1324657. Narratives are written by the National Weather Service forecast office that issued the report.

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