Winter Weather — San Bernardino County Mountains, California

2019-12-04 · San Bernardino County Mountains, California

Event narrative

Broadcast media reported a missing hiker on Mount Baldy on December 8th, with treacherous winter weather conditions on the mountain. A search and rescue worker died on December 14th after falling down an icy ravine while searching for the hiker. All search and rescue operations were halted after the worker death. The missing hiker was never found.

Wider weather episode

A low pressure system moved over Southern California, bringing rain and high level mountain snow. Coast and valley areas received between 0.50 inch and 1 inch, with locally higher amounts up to 2 inches in the valleys. Mountain areas received 2 to 3 inches, with locally higher amounts in the San Bernardino Mountains. Desert areas received 0.25 to 0.50 inch. Heavy rain resulted in river flooding along the San Diego River, where water levels at Fashion Valley topped out at 9 feet (action stage). Many roads around Fashion Valley Mall were closed due to flooding. The Tijuana River also flooded the Tijuana River Valley, closing roads and trapping cars in flood waters. A hiker went missing on Mount Baldy on December 8th, and a search and rescue worker died on December 14th during a search for the missing hiker.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 870577. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.