High Wind — Indian Wells Vly, California

2016-04-23 · Indian Wells Vly, California

Event narrative

At 2131 PST a report of a semi-truck blown over on northbound side of US Route 395 just south Neal Ranch Avenue north of Inyokern California was received. Three major injuries from the accident were also noted, one subject was knocked unconscious and had major bleeding from the head, a second subject had received a broken leg, and a third subject had major cuts on legs and arms.

Wider weather episode

Short duration strong localized downslope wind gusts on the leeward side of the Kern County Mountains most likely due to mountain wave action from strong orographically lifted mid to upper level westerly winds. Fairly stable conditions with nearby mid level high pressure were also present further creating mountain wave conditions.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 633208. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.