Winter Storm — San Diego County Mountains, California

2001-02-13 to 2001-02-14 · San Diego County Mountains, California

Wider weather episode

A winter storm that took two days to cross Southwest California created near blizzard conditions in the mountains, forcing the closure of all roads. In San Bernardino County, the Wrightwood received between 27 and 60 inches of snow. The remainder of the San Bernardino County Mountains received 18 to 31 inches of snow. Near Lake Arrowhead, the roof of an Ice Skating Rink collapsed under the weight of the snow. The Apple Valley received 5 to 12 inches of snow. In the Riverside County Mountains, an average of 12 inches snow fell. In the San Diego County Mountains between 7 and 12 inches of snow fell and 26 people suffering from mild hypothermia were rescued by the Border Patrol. In the Santa Ana Mountains, the snow level dropped to 3000 feet. Over the lower elevations, heavy rain caused mudslides and extensive urban flooding. Many of the major roadways were flooded for several hours. Between 2 and 5 inches of rain fell over Orange County and the western end of the Inland Empire. The remainder of the Inland Empire, as well as the San Diego County Coastal Plain and Inland Valleys received between 1 and 2 inches of rain. Over the coastal waters, southerly gale force winds quickly built 12 foot seas. A fast moving squall line behind the main frontal band, knocked down trees and power lines in Orange County and the western end of the Inland Empire, and broke tree branches in San Diego County.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5229715. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.