Thunderstorm Wind — Humboldt, California

2012-03-31 · near Holmes, Humboldt, California

Event narrative

Gusty wind conditions that were below severe criteria caused a tree to fall onto highway 36. A car drove into the fallen tree resulting in one fatality. The wind event was preceded by an atmospheric river rain event that saturated soils and therefore exacerbated the vulnerability of trees to wind damage.

Wider weather episode

A strong line of thunderstorms associated with a post-frontal trough moved across Northwest California. One storm produced severe winds over portions of coastal Del Norte County. Other storms produced sub-severe hail over portions of coastal Mendocino County.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (40.4856, -123.8990)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 364344. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.