Strong Wind — Carquinez Strait and Delta, California

2021-01-18 to 2021-01-19 · Carquinez Strait and Delta, California

Event narrative

The local media reported that high winds brought down several trees and power lines across Solano County. The report also included that several vegetation and car fires were started due to wind damage and that 2000 customers were without power from this event. Damage costs are estimated based on this report.

Via mesonets and AWOS, the peak wind gusts across Solano County and the Delta varied between 35 and 50 mph. Locally higher gusts up to 62 mph were observed at elevations above 2000 feet.

Wider weather episode

Upper level ridging combined with a series of troughs led to the tightening of pressure gradients over interior northern California. The first trough slipped down and paralleled the California coast causing the north and east pressure to develop and tighten. This brought gusty winds Sunday night into Monday. A brief reprieve in winds occurred mid-Monday, before a second shortwave further reinforced the offshore flow Monday night into Tuesday. This shortwave trough dug south from eastern Washington toward the central and southern portion of the Sierra Nevada. Strong and damaging winds developed across interior northern California resulting in power outages, downed trees, downed power lines, and several small wildfires. Peak gusts ranged from 30 to 60 mph in the Valley, and generally between 40 and 80 mph for the mountains and foothills. Stronger winds were observed along the Sierra Crest.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 940345. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.