Winter Storm — Coastal Monterey County, California

1996-01-23 to 1996-01-24 · Coastal Monterey County, California

Wider weather episode

A storm that originated in the Gulf of Alaska rotated two fronts through northern California, eventually bringing snow levels to the 1500 foot level with large accumulations in the Sierra Nevada. The second front was much stronger with 3-foot accumulations in the mountains and winds strong enough to cause white-out conditions. Interstate 80 and other major roads where closed by transportation officials, and the US Forest Service issued avalanche warnings due the heavy, fast snowfall.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5537534. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.