Winter Storm — San Luis Obispo County Mountains, California

2001-01-10 to 2001-01-12 · San Luis Obispo County Mountains, California

Wider weather episode

A powerful winter storm brought heavy rain, heavy snow and strong winds to Central and Southern California. Total rainfall amounts ranged from 2 to 5 inches across coastal areas...with between 5 to 10 inches of liquid equivalent precipitation in the mountains. Due to very dry soil conditions, flash flooding did not occur. However...numerous reports of urban flooding were received, including the cities of Orcutt, Mount Olympus and Pasadena. This storm also dropped snow levels down to around 3000 feet, producing very significant snowfall in the mountains. At resort levels, above 6000 feet, snowfall totals ranged between 2 and 4 feet. Between 3000 and 6000 feet, snowfall totals ranged from 8 to 24 inches. Along with the heavy snow, southerly winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 60 mph produced widespread visibilities of one mile or less in blowing snow across the mountains.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5227894. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.