Frost/Freeze — Santa Clara Valley Including San Jose, California

2009-12-08 · Santa Clara Valley Including San Jose, California

Event narrative

Black ice and unsafe speed led to a single-car crash which killed the driver, the only occupant. The crash occurred in San Jose on southbound Almaden Expressway between Curtner Avenue and Canoas Garden Avenue. The police received the report of the mishap at 5:50 a.m. PST. and the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Elsewhere, the connector ramp from Highway 101 to Interstate 280 in San Jose was closed at 6:15 a.m. PST for about 90 minutes due to severe ice on the roadway. Even the light rail trains were delayed due to buildup of ice on the overhead wires used to power the trains. At Mineta San Jose International Airport flights were delayed for two hours as crews waited for frost on the airplanes to melt. There is only one airline at this airport that has deicing equipment.

Wider weather episode

A storm moved across northern and central California on December 6 leaving a cold air mass in its wake. The cold air mass led to overnight temperatures dropping below freezing. Four low temperature records were tied or set for December 8 at San Rafael, Moffett Field, Santa Cruz and Salinas.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 203543. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.