High Wind — Kern Cty Mtns, California

2019-01-14 · Kern Cty Mtns, California

Event narrative

Three semi trucks were blown over along State Route 58 and General Beale Road. Kern County Emergency Manager estimated wind gusts at 65 mph in the area.

Wider weather episode

A low pressure system approached the central California coast during the early morning of January 14 then dropped southeast and moved into southern California during the afternoon. As the low dropped southeastward along the coast it spread deep moisture inland producing heavy snow in the Kern County Mountains above 4000 feet. Interstate 5 was closed for 7.5 hours as numerous accidents resulted in hundreds of stranded and overturned vehicles. In addition to the heavy snow, strong winds produced local whiteout conditions in the Kern County Mountains and gusts above 60 mph were reported in the Bear Valley Springs area, and several other locations in the Kern County Mountains and south end of the San Joaquin Valley measured wind gusts above 50 mph.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 793123. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.