Winter Storm — Modoc County Except Surprise Valley, California

1998-02-20 to 1998-02-21 · Modoc County Except Surprise Valley, California

Wider weather episode

A strong frontal system supported by a 150-170 kt jet brought high winds and heavy snow and rain to far northern California. Winds ahead of the front ranged from 30 to 50 mph but gusted higher in favored valley locations but gusted as high as 62 mph at Weed in the Shasta Valley. Impressive snowfall amounts accumulated mainly in the southern and western mountains of Siskiyou county. Up p to 3 ft. mainly in a 12 hr. period. Accumulations include: Mt. Shasta City 23", Spotter 1/2 mi. west of Mt. Shasta City 36", Mt. Shasta Ski Park 4 ft. Near Weed 12" with drifts to 3 ft., McCloud 30", Black Butte 15", Fort Jones 5-8", and Alturas 3". The 23" reported by the Coop. Observer at Mt. Shasta City was a new 24 hr. record. This storm was one of several that produced heavy precipitation over the orographically favored areas of southern Syskiyou county. Mt. Shasta City received a monthly snowfall total of 62 inches with a total liquid equivalent of 21.80 inches. Dunsmir reported a monthly water equivlalent total of 27.48 inches with 11.8 inches of snow. McCloud reported 41 inches of snow and a water equivalent of 28.80.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5629417. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.