High Wind — San Luis Obispo County Interior Valleys, California

2010-01-18 · San Luis Obispo County Interior Valleys, California

Event narrative

Strong and gusty south winds associated with an approaching winter storm buffeted the area. The RAWS sensor at Carrizo reported south wind gusts to 60 MPH.

Wider weather episode

A series of powerful winter storms affected Central and Southern California between the 18th and 22nd of January. As this series of storms moved across the area, they brought heavy rain, flash flooding, gusty winds, heavy snow and even severe weather to the area. By the 22nd, rainfall totals for this series of storms ranged from 4-8 inches over coastal areas to 8-16 inches in the foothills and mountains. Due to some very intense periods of rainfall, flash flooding and mud and debris flows occurred across the area. In the mountains of Ventura and Los Angeles counties, 1 to 3 feet of new snowfall was reported. Strong southerly winds were common as each storm moved across the area with wind gusts as high as 71 MPH reported in some spots. Along with the rain and snow, some severe weather occurred across the area with reports of waterspouts, straight-line winds and even a weak tornado in the city of Ventura.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 209198. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.