High Wind — S Sierra Foothills, California

2018-12-31 · S Sierra Foothills, California

Event narrative

Cascadel Heights measured a peak gust of 68 mph.

Wider weather episode

A strong shortwave trough dropped down through the Great Basin during the morning of December 31. With high pressure pushing inland into northern California behind the trough, offshore Mono type winds developed over the higher elevations of the southern Sierra Nevada which down-sloped into the foothills. This resulted in several drought weakened trees being knocked down in the foothills near North Fork and Oakhurst where locally strong wind gusts exceeding 60 mph were reported.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 791316. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.