High Wind — Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest, California

2019-12-01 · Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest, California

Event narrative

Mesonet station (PG&E) on Old Coast Tower recorded sustained winds between 30 to 40 mph with gusts of 50 to 60 mph during this entire time frame with a peak gust of 72 mph at 09:50 AM PST on the 1st.

Wider weather episode

A low pressure system moving in from the Gulf of Alaska and drawing in moisture from the tropics combined to bring the first atmospheric river event of the winter season to the Greater Bay Area. This system brought widespread heavy rainfall, roadway flooding, and strong winds to the region. Rare Storm Warnings were issued over the coastal waters where buoys reported wind gusts in excess of 50 mph. Bay Area peaks recorded wind gusts between 60 to 70 mph with gusts along the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur Coast at 50 to 60 mph. These winds caused downed trees and power outages across the area. Additionally, convection associated wit the main low caused severe flooding in the city of Chualar where homes were flooded. and cars were stranded on a flooded highway.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 864635. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.