Strong Wind — S Sierra Foothills, California

2018-12-31 · S Sierra Foothills, California

Event narrative

California Highway Patrol reported a tree blown down 5 miles NNE of Oakhurst.

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 791318. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.