Avalanche — Kern Cty Mtns, California

2018-12-27 · Kern Cty Mtns, California

Event narrative

Visibility below a quarter mile was reported in Tehachapi.

Wider weather episode

Areas of dense fog formed during the morning of December 27 as clear skies and light winds prevailed over the San Joaquin Valley. The fog resulted in some minor vehicle accidents in the Fresno area as the fog reduced visibility to a few hundred feet. However, the fog dissipated in the San Joaquin Valley by late morning as a cold front pushed southward through central California. Areas of dense fog persisted through the early afternoon along the valley facing slopes of the Tehachapi Mountains as a result of strong upslope flow that accompanied the front. The cold front also produced a period of gusty winds along the west side of the San Joaquin Valley as well as along and below the passes in Kern County where several stations measured gusts above 35 mph.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 791007. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.