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Storm data and unusual weather phenomena
Storm Data, Oct, 2004
Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena
October 2004
Time Path Path
Local/ Length Width
Location Date Standard (Miles) (Yards)
ALABAMA, Central
ALZ044 Montgomery
01 0001CST
31 2359CST
The average monthly temperature
measured at Dannelly Field was 72.9
degrees. This reading was the fourth
warmest October on record since
measurements began in 1910.
Lamar County
7 W Millport 02 1618CST
A few trees were blown down along SR 96
west of Millport.
Blount County
3 N Blountsville to 19 0652CST
8 E Blountsville 0701CST
Several trees and power lines were
blown down in northern Blount County
near Blountsville.
Blount County
Countywide 19 0726CST
0748CST
Several trees and a few power lines
were blown down across southern Blount
County.
St. Clair County
Springville 19 0815CST
A few trees were blown down in and
around the city of Springville. A
funnel cloud was reported in the
Springville area but a tornado touch
down was not confirmed.
Blount County
West Portion 19 0830CST
0930CST
Heavy rain in a short period of time
flooded several roadways across the
county. Doppler radar estimated 2 to 3
inches of rain across parts of Blount
County. Parts of SR 160 and US 31 were
flooded and temporarily impassable.
Winston County
West Portion 19 0830CST
0930CST
Doppler radar estimated 3 to 5 inches
of rain fell across parts of Winston
County in only a few hours. A Coopera-
tive Observer near the area reported
5.95 inches of rain in a short period
of time. Several roadways were flooded
and were temporarily impassable. SR 13
in western Winston County was flooded.
Area creeks temporarily rose out of
their banks.
Marion County
North Portion 19 0830CST
0930CST
Doppler radar estimated 4 to 5 inches
of rain fell across northern parts of
Marion County in only a few hours. A
Cooperative Observer near the area
reported 5.95 inches of rain in a short
period of time. Several roadways were
flooded and were temporarily
impassable. Area creeks were well out
of their banks and flooding.
St. Clair County
Riverside
19 0902CST
Nickle size hail was reported along
Logan Martin Lake near Riverside.
Talladega County
3 SW Lincoln to 19 0903CST
2 SE Munford 0938CST
Penny to nickle size hail was observed
across northern Talladega County from
near Lincoln to near Munford.
Clay County
4 NW Ashland 19 1039CST
A funnel cloud was reported in western
Clay County west of Ashland and
Pyriton. A tornado touch down was not
confirmed and no damage was reported.
Tallapoosa County
5 NE Reeltown to 19 1217CST
7 NE Reeltown 1227CST
Lee County
7 NW Loachapoka to 19 1227CST
7 N Loachapoka 1237CST
A few trees were blown down, uprooted
or snapped off over extreme southern
Tallapoosa County near CR 15. A funnel
cloud was reported near Simmons
Crossroads. Several trees were uprooted
in extreme western Lee County near the
Roxana community. One tree fell on a
vehicle causing damage. A tornado touch
down was not confirmed.
Lee County
6 N Opelika to 19 1217CST
7 NE Opelika 1237CST
Lee County
6 NE Opelika 19 1232CST
Several trees were blown down or
snapped off across northern Lee County
north of Opelika. Golf ball size hail
and a funnel cloud were reported near
the Walmart Distribution Plant along
Interstate 85 near Exit 66. A tornado
touch down was not confirmed.
Lee County
9 NE Salem 19 1247CST
A funnel cloud was reported just east
of Mechanicsville near Lake Harding on
the Chattahootchee River.
Lee County
4 E Salem to 19 1256CST
10 E Salem 1307CST
Lee County
10 E Salem 19 1307CST
A few trees were blown down east of US
431 in eastern Lee County. A funnel
cloud was reported as the storm neared
the Chattahootchee River.
Sumter County
Bellamy 19 1344CST
Penny size hail fell near Bellamy.
Marengo County
Demopolis Muni Arpt to 19 1404CST
9 SE Demopotis 1430CST
Pea to nickle size hail fell across
northern Marengo County. The hail
started off around pea size near the
Demopolis Municipal Airport and became
larger across the southern sections of
Demopolis through the Springhill
Community.
Sumter County
2 NE Livingston 19 1505CST
Quarter size hail was reported near
Livingston.
Dallas County
8 S Orrville to 19 1536CST
7 NE Minter 1616CST
Dallas County
8 S Orrville to 19 1536CST
7 NE Minter 1616CST
Penny to quarter size hail was reported
across southern Dallas County. A few
trees were also knocked down during the
storm.
Sumter County
2 N Cuba 19 1558CST
Quarter size hail was observed along
Interstate 20 near mile marker 1.
Sumter County
Cuba 19 1640CST
Quarter size hail was reported around
Cuba.
Lowndes County
Braggs to 19 1640CST
5 W Ft Deposit 1706CST
A few trees were blown down in southern
Lowndes County generally between Braggs
and Fort Deposit.
Marengo County
Myrtlewood 19 1644CST
Penny size hail was observed in
Myrtlewood and in Nanafalia.
Pickens County
4 W Ethelsville to 21 0006CST
4 SW Ethelsville 0020CST
Penny to nickle size hail fell across
western Pickens County near the Pine
Grove and Macedonia communities.
ALZ044 Montgomery
26 1400CST
The afternoon high temperature measured
at Dannelly Field was 88 degrees. This
temperature established a new record
high temperature for this date. The
previous record was 87 degrees set way
back in 1940.
ALZ044 Montgomery
29 14000ST
The afternoon high temperature measured
at Dannelly Field was 87 degrees. This
temperature tied the established record
high temperature. The record tempera-
ture last occurred in 1984.
ALABAMA, North
Colbert County
2 E Riverton to 18 1545CST 2 200
4 NE Riverton 1548CST
A tornado touched down and demolished
two sheds and destroyed several trees
in its path as it moved northeast
toward the Natchez Trace. Maximum wind
speeds with the tornado were at 100
miles an hour.
Lauderdale County
7 W Petersville to 18 1548CST 5 200
2 NW Petersville 1555CST
The tornado continued its path into
Lauderdale county and heavily damaged
two mobile homes, slightly injuring
three people. A barn was also destroyed
near where the mobile homes were
damaged. Maximum wind speeds of the
tornado where the most damage occurred
was also at 100 mph.
Lauderdale County
Lexington to 18 1610CST 2 50
2 N Lexington 1613CST
Another tornado touched down at
Lexington and destroyed several large
trees and a couple of out buildings as
it crossed over into Tennessee. Maximum
wind speed of this tornado before it
moved into Tennessee was at 80 mph.
Limestone County
2 WSW Lester to 18 1727CST 2 35
Lester 1730CST
A F-0 tornado with maximum wind speeds
at 60 mph touched down and destroyed a
few trees and power lines.
Franklin County
Pogo 18 2137CST
2139CST
Penny sized hail was reported.
Colbert County
Tuscumbia 19 0420CST
06000ST
Several inches of water was covering
Cave Street in Tuscumbia.
Lauderdale County
2 SW Florence 19 0421CST
06000ST
Several inches of water was over area
roads in the Muscle Shoals area.
Madison County
Toney 19 0519CST
07000ST
Water was over the road along Pulaski
Pike and Bo Howard road resulting in a
car being washed into a ditch.
Jackson County
Scottsboro 19 0535CST
0730CST
Several inches of water was over a few
roads in the Scottsboro area.
Cullman County
Hanceville 19 0940CST
11000ST
Several roads were under water
Cullman County
West Pt 19 0940CST
1100CST
Several roads were reported to be under
water in western Cullman county.
Cullman County
Cullman 19 1045CST
12000ST
Minor flash flooding was observed in
Cullman with several roads with several
inches of water reported to be over the
road.
Colbert County
Tuscumbia 19 1130CST
1300CST
Several inches of water was over a few
streets in Tuscumbia.
Lauderdale County
Waterloo 19 1131CST
13000ST
Several inches of water was over the
road along County Road 15.
Lawrence County
Town Creek 19 1311CST
1313CST
A few power lines were blown down by
thunderstorm winds.
Marshall County
Guntersville 19 1425CST
16000ST
Several inches of water was over County
Road 205 and Highway 431 in
Guntersville.
ALABAMA, Southeast
NONE REPORTED.
ALABAMA, Southwest
ALZ061>064 Upper Mobile--Upper Baldwin--Lower
Mobile--Lower Baldwin
09 15000ST
10 0900CST
Tropical Storm Matthew affected the
area on the 9th and 10th. Parts of
southwest Alabama were put under a
Tropical Storm Warning at 300 pm CST on
October 9. The Tropical Storm Warning
was dropped at 900 am CST on October
10. The center of Matthew moved inland
along the central Louisiana coast on
the morning of October 10. The highest
winds recorded in the area were at
Dauphin Island with a wind gust of 47
mph. The lowest pressure was also
recorded on Dauphin Island with a
reading of 1006.6 mb. The highest
rainfall totals recorded in about a two
day period ending around 400 pm on
October 10 was 2.74 inches in Grand Bay
with Semmes recording 2.42 inches.
Tides were one to three feet above
normal. This resulted in minor to major
beach erosion across the area. Because
of the tremendous damage caused by Ivan
to the coastal areas, Matthew caused
more damage along the coast than would
be expected from a tropical storm.
Other than beach erosion, however, no
major damage was reported as a result
of Matthew.
Mobile County
4 NW Georgetown 19 0655CST
07000ST
A funnel cloud was observed for several
minutes near Earlville. The funnel
never touched the ground.
Escambia County
Central Portion 19 1000CST
1030CST
Heavy rains, of three to four inches in
a short period of time, caused several
streets in the Atmore and Brewton area
to flood. Several of the streets had to
be closed for about half an hour until
the water had drained.
Wilcox County
Camden 19 1630CST
1631CST
Choctaw County
Pennington 19 1635CST
1637CST
Monroe County
Beatrice 19 1805CST
1807CST
Monroe County
5 E Tunnell Spgs 19 1855CST
1857CST
High winds from a thunderstorm blew
down several trees near Pine Orchard.
Conecuh County
Owassa 19 19000ST 0.5 30
1902CST
A weak tornado blew down several trees
near Owassa and I-65. The weak tornado
stayed on the ground for about a half
mile before going back into the clouds.
ALASKA, Northern
AKZ201-207>211- Western Arctic Coast--Chukchi Sea
213-217-225 Coast--Lower Kobuk & Noatak Valleys
Baldwin Pen. & Selawik Valley--Nrn &
Intr. Seward Peninsula--Srn Seward
Peninsula Coast--St Lawrence Is. Bering
Strait--Upper Kobuk And Noatak Vlys--
Denali
18 1116AST
19 1500AST
AKZ214 Yukon Delta
18 1600AST
1630AST
AKZ207-211>214 Chukchi Sea Coast--Srn Seward Peninsula
Coast--Ern Norton Sound Nulato Hills--
St Lawrence Is. Bering Strait--Yukon
Delta
18 1900AST
20 1500AST
AKZ219 Upper Koyukuk Valley
19 1500AST
1630AST
A low pressure center of 978 mb moved
north over the central Aleutians on the
evening of the 17th and deepened to 941
mb as it reached the Gulf of Anadyr the
evening of the 18th, about 400 miles
west of Nome. The great deepening of
the storm was due to in influx of
moisture from an ex-typhoon east of
Japan (though the ex-typhoon itself
continued east across the north
Pacific) and then the cold air around
an upper level circulation of Far East
Russia moving southeast into the low.
On the 19th the storm began to slowly
fill and decelerate, to 980 mb on the
evening of the 20th 400 miles west of
Kotzebue. The circulation around this
storm covered western Alaska with 50 to
80 mph winds and was comparable or
stronger than the November 1974 storm,
though this current storm moved quicker
over the Bering Sea and was located
farther west than the 1974 storm.
Nonetheless, a significant and damaging
storm surge accompanied this storm in
addition to high winds:
High Winds were reported at:
Zone 201: Cape Lisburne AWOS gusts to
61 knots (70 mph).
Zone 207:Shishmaref estimated 61 knots
(70 mph). Kivalina AWOS highest gust
was 51 knots (59 mph).
Zone 208: Red Dog Mine observed 67
knots (77 mph) but on the morning of
the 19th the observer noted that the
wind sensor readout displayed a maximum
of 99 knots (114 mph). This latter
value is unconfirmed. Noatak AWOS
highest gust 51 knots (59 mph).
Zone 209: Kotzebue ASOS peak gusts 53
knots (61 mph).
Zone 210: Remote Automated Weather
Station Hoodoo Hill peak gust 59 knots
(68 mph); Also UAF Water and
Environmental Research Center
meteorological platforms at: Skookum
Pass 61 knots (70 mph); and Kigluaik
Mountains 51 knots (59 mph).
Zone 211: Golovin AWOS highest gust 52
knots (60 mph). Additionally Nome ASOS
reported peak gust 51 knots (59 mph),
and Unalakleet AWOS (zone 212) peak
gust 45 knots (52 mph).
Zone 213: Tin City AWOS peak gusts 62
knots (71 mph); Savoonga AWOS peak gust
61 knots (70 mph); Gambell AWOS not
reporting.
Zone 217: Shungnak, Easterly wind gusts
estimated by school staff at 52 knots
(60 mph).
Zone 225--Healy weather observer: gusts
to 55 knots (63 mph). Just west of the
zone, Mystic Lake reported gust to 52
knots (60 mph) at 1830 LST. In zone
226, the US Army Mesonet site OPIOA
reported a gust to 51 knots (59 mph).
Strong winds were reported at:
Zone 214: Mountain Village two public
buildings (City office and a clinic)
had portions of their roof damaged.
Emmonak and Saint Marys AWOS stations
reported gusts to 44 knots (51 mph).
Coastal Flooding reported at:
Zone 207: Shishmaref, with surge height
of 10-12 ft. Kivalina surge height
unknown though estimated at 8 to 10
feet.
Zone 211: Nome and Golovin. Surge
height was 10.45 ft at Nome, the
November 1974 storm produced a 10 ft
rise in ocean level.
Zone 212: Koyuk, Unalakleet, Stebbins,
St. Michael.
Zone 213: Wales with surge height
estimated at 6 to 8 feet, Teller, and
Diomede City.
Zone 214: Alakanuk, Kotlik, surge
heights unknown. Also:
Zone 209 Kotzebue: water rose to within
1.5 feet for front street. Because
winds were creating off-shore-traveling
waves, no erosion from wave action was
observed.
Zone 210: Deering had some high water,
but no damage.
Heavy Snow reported at:
Zone 218--Coldfoot: State of Alaska
D.O.T. Camp reported 6 inches of new
snow at 3pm by the afternoon of the
19th. Total amount was less than 7
inches. Snow estimated to begin at 0100
AST.
Damages: The total estimate as of
December 2004 is about 20 million
dollars, however this may be conserva-
tive and also includes some costs to
villages outside of Northern Alaska.
Breakdowns per village were not
accessible, though some individual
amounts are noted. The city of Nome
sustained the bulk of the damage
amount.
Zone 207:
Shishmaref: Several families were
temporarily evacuated. Power poles and
lines damaged. A local bridge may have
had the abutments weakened by the storm
surge. School project wind generator
damaged. Erosion of beach up to teacher
housing and Voc-Ed unit. Cost to
replace material eroded is $250K, plus
an estimated other costs of
$50K(labor). Road to the landfill was
damaged.
Kivalina: Power Poles and lines
damaged. Drainfteld for washateria has
been destroyed and washateria thus
leaked raw sewage. The School
Principal's housing unit (trailer) had
soil eroded underneath about 5-6 feet
from the ocean side.
Zone 209:
Kotzebue: Water rose to within 1 1/2
feet of Front Street, up the concrete
revetment. Wind waves were out of the
east and thus wave energy was offshore,
otherwise Front Street would have
flooded. Radio Station KOTZ Tower
supports were partially damaged.
Several other structures around town
sustained some minor wind damage,
including NWS Upper Air Inflation
Building which caused the cancellation
of four sequential radiosonde launches
(4am and 4pm) during the 19th and 20th.
Zone 210:
Deering: flooding of the road between
the community and the airport.
Buckland: Approximately six Electric
Poles leaning; estimate cost is
$22,000.00
White Mountain: No damages.
Zone 211:
Nome: 45 Individuals temporarily
evacuated in Nome during the height of
the storm surge. 13 residences were
affected by the storm. % residences
were evacuated directly due to the
coastal flooding. While the other
residences, located near Front Street,
were evacuated due to a combination of
loss of electrical power and due to
leakage of propane gas from three (3)
businesses, as the valves broke on
their 1000 pound propane tanks. The
storm surge cut the Nome-Council Road
at Mile 22 resulting in the isolation
of approximately ten (10) occupied
residences in the Council area. In
Nome, five homes reported minor damage
and eight homes reported major damage.
Multiple businesses in Nome also report
damage. The State building was damaged
by ocean flooding. The historic Cape
Nome Road House, located at the site of
Fort Davis on the Nome-Council Highway,
sustained some storm-related damage.
Power lines damaged at Nome. Water
Treatment System had minor structural
damage. Some roadways received major
damage. Seawall protecting the harbor
damaged, parts of a jetty east of Nome
was washed away and most of the dock at
the jetty was destroyed.
Golovin: Damages to the washateria,
the drain field, new power plant and
new clinic (all were in the process of
new construction). The high ocean water
lifted up several three old and unused
fuel tanks along with two Connex
trailers and floated them away. The
school's septic system was rendered
unusable--cost to repair $2.3K
Zone 212:
St. Michaels: several families were
temporarily evacuated. Seven short
access roads to the beach were damaged,
mainly to boat launches. Power poles
and lines damaged. Utilidor damaged.
Koyuk: a privately owned warehouse is
reported to have been destroyed. Public
facilities: 1. Portion of village Front
Avenue adjacent to Koyuk River
destroyed. 2. New Fuel Line Header
required emergency protective measure
during storm. This facility was under
construction at the time of the
disaster. Native Organization: Two
Youth Camp structures washed across the
river and deposited on the other bank
approximately 2000 feet away. The
community telephone line was cut when
digging to reach the underground water
line shut-off valve. They were digging
to prevent contamination to their
community's water source. A Reindeer
corral was damaged, and 35 sheets of
plywood for the fence were washed away.
Several snowmobiles damaged by waves
and sand. A nearby public use cabin was
damaged.
Unalakleet: Some road gabion baskets
damaged; they were reported to have
dropped ten feet. Power poles and lines
damaged.
Shaktoolik: Power poles and lines
damaged. 2800 feet of fuel line
damaged, which ran along the beach
between the fuel tank farm and the
school/public buildings; $115K plus
other costs of $34K (labor). Damage to
the fence and embankment for the school
septic system. Water storage tank for
the city incurred wind damage to metal
sheathing and insulation. A public use
cabin (on Iditarod Trail) about 10
miles from town was displaced and
damaged by the storm.
Elim: Major damage to road to Moses
Point for 4.3 miles. Road in town
damaged. Community septic tank and the
sewage outfall line exposed. Power
poles and lines damaged.
Stebbins: No damage to structures but
some erosion problems and road damages.
Individuals may have lost some items.
Some people from Stebbins evacuated to
St. Michael during the storm.
Zone 213:
Diomede: Power poles and lines damaged.
Fuel line broken.
Savoonga: Power poles and lines
damaged.
Brevig Mission: at a subsistence fish
camp across the bay, a shack was
damaged and several snowmobiles, parked
on higher ground (not on the beach)
were swamped with ocean water and
covered with sand or small gravel,
rendering them unusable.
Wales: Wind blew off a portion of a
roof from an Alaska Village Electric
Corporation (AVEC) facility, as well as
from a private residence. A guardrail
from another home was also lost. At the
village clinic, the fuel line was
ruptured when the metal support for
the fuel line running from the tank to
the building toppled over in the wind.
This spilled about 300 gallons of fuel.
One of the two wind generators of the
village was damaged. Ocean water rose
about 6 to 8 feet, and reached an
outbuilding of the school, damaging the
skirting along the bottom of the
structure, but the structure otherwise
was intact. Gravel and insulation over
the school's septic tank and leach
field damaged and removed by wave and
wind action. Two snowmachines belonging
to the school were damaged from the
were damaged from the comhined effects
of the water and wind-blown sand. Total
School damages $8.4K. At the Water
plant sewage leach field gravel and
insulation was eroded away and septic
tank possibly affected. At the
Community Center sewage leach field,
gravel and insulation was eroded away.
Septic tank possibly affected. Road
damage at the south end of the village.
There was soil erosion due to wind at
the cemetery; Caskets are exposed. Wind
damage to fence around the dump site by
the airport.
Teller: At the School, the basement
building was flooded, damaging
materials stored there. Three Connex
containers of new furniture were
flooded, damaging the furniture. The
sewage lagoon was flooded, which had to
be pumped down. Estimated costs for
repair/replacement $8K. Two roads were
damaged: Grantley Avenue and Whale
Street.
Zone 214:
Mountain Village: Major damage to the
roof of a city building. Clinic roof
damaged. Total costs $10,000.
Alakanuk, Emmonak: Power poles and
lines damaged.
Kotlik: Ocean water rose two to three
feet and floated Boardwalks off their
supports. Water and waves damaged the
school's skirting and eroded the gravel
around the foundation. This in turn
exposed insulation covering permafrost
ground and water pipes and insulation
to the school building itself.
Nunam lqua: Boardwalks were damaged and
water pipeline serving the village's
water needs was damaged; holding tank
was emptied by early December creating
a water crisis due to lack of fresh
water. Scammon Bay: Several roads were
damaged.
Zone 217:
Kiana: Power poles and lines damaged.
Shungnak: Minor roof damage to home;
Living room window of a residence
broken from airborne lumber debris.
Trees blown over on exposed hill, metal
chimneys on roofs toppled.
ALASKA, Southeast
AKZ027>028 Dixon Entrance To Cape Decision Coastal
Area--Southern Inner Channels
04 2100AST
18 2330AST
High winds occurred in the Southern
Panhandle on this date. Winds were from
the southeast. No damage was reported.
AKZ018>019-022- Taiya Inlet And Klondike Highway--
026-028>029 Haines Borough And Lynn Canal--
Salisbury Sound To Cape Fairweather
Coastal Area--Inner Channels From
Kupreanof Island To Etolin Island--
Southern Inner Channels--Misty Fjords
18 0430AST
19 0550AST
A hard freeze ended the growing season
in these portions of Southeast Alaska.
AKZ020>021-023- Glacier Bay--Eastern Chichagof Island--
025>028 Cape Decision To Salisbury Sound
Coastal Area Juneau Borough And
Northern Admiralty Island--Inner
Channels From Kupreanof Island To
Etolin Island Dixon Entrance To Cape
Decision Coastal Area--Southern Inner
Channels
28 1700AST
29 0300AST
960mb low moved just south of Prince
William Sound. A front associated with
this low swept up through Southeast
Alaska and resulted in a widespread
high wind event. No significant damage
was reported.
ALASKA, Southern
AKZ101-145 Anchorage Muni To Bird Creek--Susitna
Valley
Ol OOOOAST
1600AST
A strong Bering Sea storm pushed
extremely moist air into the south
central region of Alaska beginning
Wednesday, September 29th. Heavy rain
and snow occurred over the previous
weekend resulting in saturated soil
throughout the region. Rainfall of
moderate to heavy rates was reported by
observation sites in the Susitna Valley
south to the Anchorage bowl beginning
late Wednesday, September 29th, through
late Thursday, September 30th. Amounts
of 2 to 3 inches were observed across
this region with higher estimated
amounts along the Chugach and
Talkeetna Mountains. This resulted in
the small streams in the Anchorage
Bowl and in the central Susitna Valley,
which were already elevated from the
weekend storm, to rise above bank full
stage and cause minor flooding.
AKZ191 Western Aleutians
07 1230AST
1521AST
An intense low moved from the north
Pacific into the western Aleutians
during the afternoon of October 7th.
The wind peaked at 77 mph on the
afternoon of the 7th and diminished
below warning criteria by the early
evening.
AKZ155-161 Kuskokwim Delta--Bristol Bay
10 1100AST
2315AST
A strong low pressure system in the
southern Bering Sea increased the
pressure gradient over zones 155 and
161, which produced strong winds along
the coastal areas. A weather front
associated with the low pressure center
also produced snowfall in these zones.
Snow and blowing snow with peak wind
gusts up to 58 mph reduced visibility
to or below one quarter of a mile for
several hours. Blizzard conditions
occurred along the coast of Zone 161,
specifically west of King Salmon.
Blizzard conditions also occurred along
the outer coast of Zone 155 including
Nunivak Island.
AKZ155 Kuskokwim Delta
18 1400AST
20 2000AST
An intense 948 MB low moved into the
northern Bering sea overnight Monday
October 18th. The resultant long fetch
of storm to hurricane force wind
produced a storm surge. This surge
pushed into the Bering Sea coast along
the Kuskokwim Delta Monday night and
Tuesday. The surge coupled with high
tides resulted in coastal flooding and
beach erosion. A 10,000 gallon bulk
fuel tank located on the bank of Baird
Inlet, Newtok AK, was at risk of
sliding into the water as a result of
the erosion from the high tides and
storm surge. The tank was emptied and
secured. The AWOS located at Hopper Bay
was damaged by the storm and has been
rendered inoperable.
AKZ195 Pribilof Islands
22 1500AST
1600AST
A moderate low moved from the southwest
Bering Sea to the Bering Strait Friday
evening, October 22nd. This resulted in
strong gusty west wind that briefly
peaked at 85 mph in the Pribilof
Islands.
AKZ145 Susitna Valley
25 1930AST
26 0730AST
AKZ101 Anchorage Muni To Bird Creek
26 1130AST
1230AST
A strong storm in the Bering Sea with
an associated front through southwest
Alaska resulted in strong southeast
flow across the south central region of
the state. The resultant strong
pressure gradient in advance of the
front produced brief strong southeast
wind along Turnagain Arm. The wind
peaked from the southeast at 82 mph at
McHugh Creek RWIS. This strong
southeast flow was also responsible for
pushing ample moisture into the Alaska
Range. Twenty four inches of snow fell
in the 12 hours from 830 PM on the
25th to 830 AM on the 26th at Hayes
River Lodge along the base of the
Alaska Range.
AMERICAN SAMOA
NOT RECEIVED.
ARIZONA, Central and Northeast
AZZ007-037 Coconino Plateau--Yavapai County
Valleys And Basins
21 1630MST
2300MST
Heavy rain fell over parts of Coconino
and Yavapai Counties through the day.
This caused heavy runoff and flooding.
Boulders were washed onto Highway 96
near Santa Maria River Bridge. Flood
water crossed over Highway 97 near
Bagdad and along Highway 96 near Bridle
creek. The Burro Creek stream gage in
Yavapai County reported a sharp rise to
11 feet. Some homes in Ash Fork had
water in them. Creeks and washes along
Highways 93, 96, and 97 near Cypress
Mine (Bagdad area) were bankfull.
Bagdad received 2.70 inches of rain in
a 24 hour period ending at 0500 on
10/22/04. Supai Law Enforcement
Officials reported Havasu Creek was
running over its banks upstream from
Supai Village. The Supai campground was
evacuated.
AZZ037 Yavapai County Valleys And Basins
28 0400MST
1500MST
Heavy rain caused flooding along
Highway 97 from mileposts 163 and 165
south of the Bagdad area. The water was
flowing one foot deep across the
highway. A spotter in Bagdad reported
2.33 inches of rain between midnight
and 5 AM.
ARIZONA, Northwest
Mohave County
Kingman 20 1030PST
1920PST
Heavy rain caused flash flooding in
parts of Kingman. A local spotter
reported water to curb high in several
locations in Kingman.
Mohave County
Kingman 25 1502PST
1700PST
Several spotters reported that washes
were flowing throughout town and that
several streets were closed due to
flash flooding.
ARIZONA, South
Pima County
8 NW Tucson 26 1340MST
1355MST
A severe thunderstorm moved across the
Tucson Metro area. 1.0 inch diameter
hail was reported by several spotters
across the Tucson area. 3/4 inch hail
fell at the National Weather Service
office located on the University of
Arizona campus.
AZZ029-033>034 Southeast Final County--Tucson
Metro/Marana/Green Valley--Santa Cruz
County
29 0400MST
0900MST
Widespread dense fog covered portions
of Southeast Arizona, including the
Tucson Metro Area. An NWS meteorologist
on duty at the time reported that the
visibility was down to 1/10 of a mile
at the NWS Tucson office, located on
the University of Arizona. Also several
calls came in from spotters around the
Tucson Metro area reporting areas of
visibility as low as 20 feet. A
cooperative observer from Picacho Peak
State Park reported that visibility was
down to 1/4 mile and at 5 a.m. the
Nogales ASOS reported visibility down
to 1/4 mile. The fog persisted until
about 9 a.m.
ARIZONA, Southwest
AZZ028 Central Deserts
21 1030MST
An usually strong cold front brought
widespread precipitation to much of
northern and central Arizona, and
strong gusty winds with blowing dust to
the lower Arizona deserts south of
Phoenix. A three vehicle accident
occurred on state road 347, 1 1/2 miles
south of Riggs Road, in low visibility
conditions caused by blowing dust. The
dust storm ended in the afternoon as
winds subsided.
AZZ022 Northwest Maricopa County
22 0700MST
Visibility reported less than 100 feet
in Wickenburg.
AZZ023-027>028 Greater Phoenix Area--Southwest
Maricopa County--Central Deserts
29 0215MST
0755MST
Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station
controller reported visibility of 1/16
mile. Gila Bend airport reported visi-
bility of 1/16 mile. Department of
Public Safety reported visibility of
1/4 mile in Casa Grande. Following a
widespread rain event the day before,
dense fog began to develop in the early
morning hours over the low deserts of
south central Arizona. The fog began to
dissipate about 8 am MST.
ARKANSAS, Central and North Central
Garland County
Buckville 18 0430CST
Thunderstorm winds downed some power
lines.
Garland County
Jessieville 18 0530CST
0630CST
Heavy rains caused flash flooding to
occur in the Jessieville area. Several
roads were flooded, causing school
buses to detour around the flooded
roads.
White County
Bald Knob 18 0641CST
Several trees were blown down.
Pulaski County
Little Rock 18 0750CST
11000ST
Pulaski County
Sherwood 18 0750CST
11000ST
Heavy rains caused flash flooding to
occur over portions of Pulaski County.
Two to three inch amounts were common,
with 2.60 inches measured at the North
Little Rock Airport. Several roadways
in Little Rock and Sherwood were
blocked by high water for a short
period of time.
ARKANSAS, Central and North Central
Saline County
1.5 W Haskell to 18 0759CST 2 300
.8 N Haskell 0802CST
An F1 tornado touched down briefly in
Saline County, affecting primarily the
city of Haskell. Extensive damage
occurred along the path of the tornado
as it tracked through town. Four homes
were destroyed, five home suffered
major damage and 41 sustained minor
damage. Most of the minor damage
consisted of damaged roofs and blown
out windows. Numerous trees and power
lines were also downed along the path
of the tornado.
Saline County 18 08000CST
Bryant
Thunderstorm winds downed a large tree
and blew the roof of a nearby storage
shed.
Saline County
4 SW Sardis to 18 0820CST 13.2 800
9 E Sardis 0840CST
An F2 tornado touched down 4 miles
southwest of Sardis and tracked to the
east-northeast before moving into
Pulaski County. Numerous trees and
power lines were downed along the path
of the tornado. A number of mobile
homes sustained minor or major damage.
Eleven people sustained minor injuries,
many of which were inside their mobile
homes when the tornado struck.
Saline County
Benton 18 0830CST
1100CST
Saline County
Bryant 18 0830CST
11000ST
Heavy rains resulted in flash flooding
across portions of Saline County.
Several roads and homes were flooded in
Benton and Bryant.
Pulaski County
1.9 W Woodson to 18 0840CST 10.8 800
8.3 E Wrightsville 0858CST
The tornado moved out of Saline County
and entered Pulaski County about 1.9
miles west of Woodson. The tornado
tracked to the north of Woodson and
continued to the northeast before
lifting about 8.3 miles east of
Wrightsville. Most of the structural
damage occurred in the Woodson area
where several houses and mobile homes
sustained damage. Numerous trees and
power lines were downed along the path
of the tornado.
Lonoke County
1.8 N England to 18 0907CST 3.3 50
2.2 SW Blakemore 0914CST
A weak tornado touched down briefly in
Lonoke County. The damage along the
track of the tornado consisted of
downed tree limbs and small trees.
Also, a metal barn and the roof of a
house sustained some minor damage.
Lonoke County
2 SE Seaton Dump to 18 0942CST 1.8 300
3.3 ESE Seaton Dump 0945CST
An F2 tornado touched down in Lonoke
County southeast of Seaton Dump and
moved to the east. Damage along the
path of the tornado consisted of a
carport blown 300 yards into an open
farm field and the tin roof blown off a
building. Numerous power poles were
either snapped off or knocked down. The
tornado eventually moved into Prairie
County.
Prairie County
6.1 WSW Fairmont to 18 0945CST 17.2 600
4.7 ENE Ulm 1017CST
The F2 tornado moved from Lonoke County
into Prairie County about 6.1 miles
west-southwest of the Fairmount
Community. The tornado gained intensity
as it tracked to the east-northeast and
then to the east as it approached the
Stuttgart Airport. The tornado
continued to track to the east before
lifting east-northeast of the town of
Ulm. The maximum damage was observed at
the airport where numerous planes were
damaged or destroyed. Damage at the
airport was estimated at just over 12
million dollars. Also, most of the
hangers and other buildings on the
airport property sustained damage.
Elsewhere along the path of the
tornado, many power poles were snapped
off or blown down. Metal irrigation
pipe was carried for a mile and
deposited in the field. Numerous
outbuildings and farm shops were
destroyed or damaged. A combine was
destroyed and another was badly
damaged. A farm tractor was destroyed
as well. In the town of Ulm, a number
of trees had large limbs broken and
there was minor damage to house roofs.
Underpinning was also blown out from
under several mobile homes. The tornado
weakened considerably before reaching
Ulm.
Cleburne County
Drasco 18 1500CST
Independence County
Desha 18 1520CST
Independence County
South Side 18 1530CST
Independence County
Bethesda 18 1555CST
Jackson County
2 NW Swifton 18 1620CST
Independence County
3 NE Pfeiffer 18 1630CST
Dallas County
4 SE Willow 18 1700CST
Dallas County
3 NE Princeton to 18 1834CST 0.2 25
3.2 NE Princeton
A weak tornado touched down very
briefly to the northeast of Princeton.
The only damage noted along the path of
the tornado were a few trees pushed
over in a heavily wooded area.
Jefferson County
Wabbaseka 18 1840CST
Arkansas County
3 S Humphrey 18 1855CST
Drew County
Collins 19 0615CST
Polk County
Big Fork 27 1025CST
1200CST
Polk County
9 WSW Big Fork 27 1025CST
12000ST
Polk County
Hatfield 27 1025CST
1200CST
Polk County
Mena 27 1025CST
12000ST
Heavy rains caused flash flooding to
occur across portions of Polk County.
Three to five inches of rain was
common, with 5 inches measured at Big
Fork. Numerous county roads were
flooded with several bridges washed out
as well.
Montgomery County
12 W Hopper 27 1030CST
12000ST
Heavy rains caused the Little Missouri
River to rise over a bridge, stranding
campers at the Albert Pike Recreational
Area.
Perry County
Williams Junction 30 0020CST
Thunderstorm winds blew down some large
tree limbs along Highway 9.
Saline County
Haskell 30 0030CST
Thunderstorm winds downed some large
tree limbs and power lines.
Pulaski County
8 W Roland 30 0030CST
Pulaski County
Maumelle 30 0050CST
Pulaski County
3 E Morgan 30 0050CST
Pulaski County
Natural Steps 30 01000ST
A line of thunderstorms moved across
Pulaski County during the early morning
hours on the 30th and produced wind
damage at several locations. Most of
the damage consisted of downed trees
and power lines. A house sustained roof
damage from falling trees in the
community of Natural Steps. More
extensive damage was noted in Maumelle
where an apartment building had roof
and gutter damage. A boat was also
damaged when it was blown across the
parking lot.
Lonoke County
5 S Cabot 30 0120CST
Thunderstorm winds downed numerous
trees, destroyed several storage sheds
and a large metal building. Roof damage
also occurred to a house and nearby
garage.
Lonoke County
8 N Lonoke 30 0120CST
Straight line thunderstorm winds over-
turned a mobile home, injuring two
occupants. Only minor injuries were
reported.
ARKANSAS, East
Lawrence County
Ravenden 18 0630CST
0635CST
A shed located behind an auto body shop
was destroyed.
Crittenden County
West Memphis 18 1045CST
1050CST
Randolph County
Pocahontas 18 1455CST
15000ST
Greene County
3 SW Delaplaine 18 1540CST
1545CST
Randolph County
Pocahontas 18 1550CST 2 25
1555CST
The tornado touched down in Pocahontas
and moves east. Several businesses were
damaged.
Greene County
5 W Marmaduke 18 16000ST
1605CST
Randolph County
6 E Pocahontas to 18 1605CST 3 75
9 E Pocahontas 1611CST
The tornado moved started east of
Pocahontas and tracked east into Clay
county. The tornado produced minor
damage to several crop fields.
Greene County
Lafe to 18 1610CST 8 25
4 N Marmaduke 1616CST
The tornado touched down in northeast
Greene county and traveled northeast.
The tornado was filmed by a Jonesboro
television station. The tornado
produced little damage.
Clay County
5 W Brookings to 18 1611CST 10 75
1 NE Peach Orchard 1632CST
The tornado moved into Clay county from
Randolph county and continued to move
east. The tornado damaged a couple of
cabins in Brookings and destroyed a
small farm house near Peach Orchard.
Two persons living in the farm house
abandoned the house before the tornado
struck. Several tombstones were blown
down at a cemetery near Peach Orchard.
Twelve utility poles were knocked down.
Several trees were blown down and some
soybean fields were damaged.
Randolph County
Biggers 18 1616CST 0.5 25
1620CST
A tornado briefly touched down in
Biggers producing minimal damage.
Clay County
2 N Datto 18 1625CST 0.5 25
1627CST
A tornado briefly touched down north of
Datto producing little damage.
Clay County
5 W Nimmons to 18 17000ST 4 25
1 W Nimmons 1710CST
The tornado touched down just west of
Nimmons and moved northeast. Some minor
tree damage occurred with the tornado.
Greene County
Walcott 18 1722CST
1730CST
Lawrence County
3 W College City to 18 1735CST 5 100
1 N College City 1745CST
The tornado touched down just west of
College City and tracked northeast and
moved into southeast Randolph county.
The tornado was not on the ground the
entire time. Some trees were blown
down.
Randolph County
2 S Fender to 18 1745CST 6 100
2 N O Kean 1757CST
The tornado moved into Randolph county
from Lawrence county and continued to
move northeast and eventually into
northwest Greene county. The tornado
continued to skip along the path. Some
trees were blown down.
Greene County
6 W Evening Star to 18 1810CST 0.3 25
1 NE Stonewall 1821CST
The tornado moved into Greene county
from Randolph county and continued to
move northeast. The tornado continued
to lift up occasionally and then come
back down. Some trees were knocked
down.
Greene County
Paragould 18 1757CST 12 100
1813CST
A tornado briefly touched down twice in
Paragould producing minimal damage.
Lawrence County
Imboden 18 1930CST
1935CST
Several homes and buildings were
damaged. Several trees were blown down.
Randolph County
Pocahontas 18 1950CST
1955CST
ARKANSAS, Northwest
Franklin County
Ozark 27 1227CST
1400CST
Heavy thunderstorm rains caused the
intersection of Highways 23 and 64 to
be flooded. Shady Lane Road was also
flooded.
ARKANSAS, Southeast
Chicot County
1 W Dermott to 19 0655CST
1 E Dermott 0659CST
A few trees were blown down.
ARKANSAS, Southwest
NONE REPORTED.
ATLANTIC OCEAN
Tidal Potomac Key
Bridge To Indian Hd
Md
Rnld Reagan Natl Arpt 02 1820EST
Chesapeake Bay New
Pt Comfort To Cp
Henry Va
New Point Comfort to 13 1448EST
Cape Henry
Wind gust of 39 knots measured at ORF.
Tidal Potomac Key
Bridge To Indian Hd
Md
2 N Indian Head 16 1600EST
Measured at Mason Neck.
Chesapeake Bay
Pooles Is To Sandy Pt
Md
10 W Riviera Beach to 16 1609EST
Tolchester Beach 1636EST
Numerous reports of winds 34-40 KT
between Pooles Island and Sandy Point.
Chesapeake Bay
Sandy Pt To N Beach
Md
Annapolis 16 1635EST
Chesapeake Bay
Sandy Pt To N Beach
Md
5 SE Annapolis 16 1642EST
Measured at Thomas Point Lighthouse.
Chesapeake Bay
Sandy Pt To N Beach
Md
4 S Stevensville 16 1647EST
Kent Island
Chesapeake Bay
Drum Pt To Smith Pt
Va
11 E Patuxent River Na 16 1800EST
Bishops Head
CALIFORNIA, Extreme Southeast
NONE REPORTED.
CALIFORNIA, North Central
NONE REPORTED.
CALIFORNIA, Northeast
CAZ073 Mono
17 0700PST
A total of 6 to 8 inches of snow fell
overnight at Mammoth Mountain.
CAZ072 Greater Lake Tahoe Area
18 2238PST
19 2238PST
A total of 8 inches of snow fell at
Kingvale in 24 hours.
CAZ073 Mono
19 0445PST
1645PST
A total of 10 inches of snow fell in 12
hours at June Lake.
CAZ073 Mono
19 0530PST
1730PST
A total of 15 inches of snow fell in 12
hours at Mammoth Lakes (elevation
8200 ft.).
CAZ073 Mono
19 2000PST
20 0600PST
From the evening of October 19th
through the morning of the 20th a
powerful early-season snowstorm
deposited up to 3 feet of snow in the
Sierra Nevada. In the valleys of
northeast California and western Nevada
1 to 2 inches of rainfall was reported
at many locations.
Storm total snowfall amounts:
Mammoth Mountain Ski
Resort 28-36 inches
Mammoth Lakes Ranger
Station 18 inches
CAZ071 Lassen/Eastern Plumas/Eastern Sierra
19 2000PST
20 0600PST
From the evening of October 19th
through the morning of the 20th a
powerful early-season snowstorm
deposited up to 3 feet of snow in the
Sierra Nevada. In the valleys of
northeast California and western Nevada
1 to 2 inches of rainfall was reported
at many locations.
Storm total snowfall amounts:
Yuba Pass 16 inches
Sattley 5 inches
CAZ072 Greater Lake Tahoe Area
19 2000PST
20 0600PST
From the evening of October 19th
through the morning of the 20th a
powerful early-season snowstorm
deposited up to 3 feet of snow in the
Sierra Nevada. In the valleys of
northeast California and western Nevada
1 to 2 inches of rainfall was reported
at many locations.
Storm total snowfall amounts:
Boreal Ski Resort 36 inches
Squaw Valley Ski Resort
(8200 ft.) 24-36 inches
(6200 ft.) 8-10 inches
Donner Summit 28.5 inches
Alpine Meadows Ski Resort 18 inches
Truckee 15 inches
3 S Tahoe City 12 inches
South Lake Tahoe 7 inches
CAZ073 Mono
26 0100PST
2300PST
A strong winter storm hit the central
Sierra Nevada on Oct. 26th, depositing
up to a foot of snow below 7,000 feet,
and up to 2 feet of snow at higher
elevations.
Storm total snowfall amounts:
Mammoth Lakes 8 inches
Mammoth Lakes (8200 ft.) 12-16 inches
CAZ072 Greater Lake Tahoe Area
26 0100PST
2300PST
A strong winter storm hit the central
Sierra Nevada on Oct. 26th, depositing
over a foot of snow in the Tahoe basin
and up to 2 feet of snow in the higher
elevations.
Storm total snowfall amounts:
South Lake Tahoe 8 inches
Independence Lake SNOTEL
(8450 ft.) 11.5 inches
Tahoe City 12 inches
Truckee (6500 ft.) 12 inches
4 NW Truckee 14 inches
Tahoe City (U.S. Coast Guard
station) 16 inches
3 S Tahoe City 16 inches
South Lake Tahoe (6260 ft.) 16 inches
Northstar ski resort
(6800 ft.) 9-12 inches
(8600 ft.) 14-18 inches
Squaw Valley ski resort
(6200 ft.) 8-10 inches
(8200 ft.) 18-24 inches
CAZ071 Lassen/Eastern Plumas/Eastern Sierra
26 0100PST
2300PST
A strong winter storm hit the northern
Sierra Nevada on Oct. 26th, depositing
up to a foot of snow in the higher
elevations.
Storm total snowfall amounts:
Sattley 4 inches
Fredonyer Pass 5 inches
Yuba Pass 9 inches
2 N Independence Lake 10 inches
CAZ071 Lassen/Eastern Plumas/Eastern Sierra
27 1300PST
1600PST
A total of 7 inches of snow fell in 3
hours at the Independence Lake SNOTEL
site.
CAZ071 Lassen/Eastern Plumas/Eastern Sierra
28 0100PST
0600PST
A total of 6 to 8 inches of snowfall
was reported by the Lassen County
Sherrif in Bieber.
CAZ071 Lassen/Eastern Plumas/Eastern Sierra
28 0100PST
0600PST
A total of 6 inches of snow fell at
Fort Bidwell.
CAZ071 Lassen/Eastern Plumas/Eastern Sierra
28 0100PST
0600PST
A total of 10 inches of snow fell at
Eagle Lake.
CALIFORNIA, Northwest
NONE REPORTED.
CALIFORNIA, South Central
Merced County
5 E Merced to 17 1301PST
9 SE Merced 1310PST
Spotter reports indicated a funnel
cloud east to southeast of Merced
during the early afternoon of the 17th.
CAZ096 S Sierra Mtns
17 1345PST
18 1100PST
CAZ097 Tulare Cty Mtns
17 1345PST
18 1100PST
A significant early snowfall occurred
in the Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains
of Central California in mid-October.
Precipitation amounts included16 inches
of new snow at Agnew Pass; 14" at Upper
Burnt Corral; 13" at Green Mountain;
11" at Blackcap Basin; and, 7" at
Farewell Gap (Tulare County Mountains).
Fresno County
(Fat) Air Terminal 19 0457PST
1711PST
CAZ096>097 S Sierra Mtns--Tulare Cty Mtns
19 1624PST
20 1500PST
F40OU, M40OU
CAZ095 Kern Cty Mtns
19 2244PST
2300PST
Following the early-season Winter Storm
that began on the 17th, extensively
more snow fell on the 19th and 20th in
the higher elevations of Central
California. High winds accompanied this
system throughout much of the state.
This early winter storm caught numerous
climbers and hikers throughout the
Southern Sierra Nevada in the open. Two
climbers in Yosemite National Park
froze to death as they were climbing
the El Capitan Face. Snow amounts for
the period from the 19th through 21st
in the South Sierra Nevada included 45"
at Blackcap Basin; 40" at Gin Flat; 39"
at Chilkroot Meadow, Tamarack Meadow,
and Agnew Pass; and, 38" at Mitchell
Pass and West Woodchuck Meadow. In the
Tulare County Mountains 25" of snow was
reported at Big Meadows with 22" at
Farewell Gap. Accompanying the winter
storm in the Southern Sierra Nevada
were gusty wind throughout Interior
Central California. In the Kem
Mountains south winds were sustained at
15 MPH but had gusts to 50 MPH at the
Bear Valley RAWS site west of
Tehachapi, CA. On the Central San
Joaquin Valley floor Fresno recorded a
daily rain total of 0.75" shattering
the old record of 0.21" on the date set
in 1936.
CAZ089>091-093 W Central S.J. Valley--E Central S.J.
Valley--S.J. Valley--S Sierra Foothills
19 1031PST
2000PST
CAZ098 Indian Wells Vly
19 1413PST
150OPST
With the mid-month series of winter
storms were relatively strong pre-
frontal wind conditions in areas of
Interior Central California. On the
Central and Southern San Joaquin Valley
Floor southeast wind reports included
47 MPH at Los Banos RAWS; 41 MPH at San
Luis Reservoir; 36 KTS at Merced; 31
KTS at Madera; and 36 MPH at Kettleman
Hills. In the Sierra Foothills, Catheys
Valley had gusts up to 46 MPH. In the
Kern County Deserts, the Indian Wells
Canyon RAWS had gusts reach 59 MPH
from the south in the afternoon of the
19th.
Tulare County
5 SE Dinuba 20 1305PST 0.5 15
1310PST
A rope shaped tornado was relatively
stationary even as the parent cell
moved northeast. The tomado was short-
lived as reported by a spotter and did
not have an extensive ground track. No
damage was seen in the rural area at
the time nor noted by a subsequent NWS
survey.
Fresno County
2.7 E Reedley 20 1340PST
1343PST
This funnel was reported looking south
toward the location of the "Dinuba
Tornado" but was on a line behind the
convection line that supported the
tornado and 30 minutes later.
Kern County
5 WNW Bakersfield to 20 1349PST
5 N Arvin 1406PST
Several spotter reports seem to
indicate a funnel cloud passed over
Bakersfield from the WNW early in the
afternoon of the 20th.
CAZ089>092 W Central S.J. Valley--E Central S.J.
Valley--Sw S.J. Valley--Se S.J. Valley
25 0530PST
090OPST
After significant rain events at mid-
month sufficient moisture on the
Central and South San Joaquin Valley
floor led to dense fog formation near
sunrise on the morning of the 25th.
Fresno County
(Fat) Air Terminal 26 0827PST
1737PST
Kern County
(Bfl)Meadows Field Ap 26 1122PST
190OPST
CAZ092-095 Se S.J. Valley--Kern Cty Mtns
26 1532PST
27 0241PST
Associated with the heavy snows at
higher elevations, locally heavy rain
in the San Joaquin Valley portion of
Tulare County and the lower elevations
of the Kern County Mountains brought
localized flooding to those areas. Kern
County Mountain rainfall amounts
included 1.33" rain at Granite Station;
1.20" at Glennville; and, 1.20" of rain
and 2" of snow at Frazier Park. Other
rain totals in the area included
Visalia 0.85", Lemoore 1.30", and
Rosamond 0.96"(Kern County Desert).
This month ended with several records
reflecting the relatively early start
of the cold season. For Bakersfield ...
a new record for rainfall was set on
the 26th when 0.96" of rain fell
shattering the old record of 0.37" for
the date set in 1982. For Fresno ... a
new record rainfall on the 26th
occurred with 1.05" eclipsing the
Visalia 0.85", Lemoore 1.30", and
Fresno and Bakersfield on the San
Joaquin Valley Floor with 2.45" and
1.54", respectively.
CAZ095>097 Kern Cty Mtns--S Sierra Mtns--Tulare
Cty Mtns
26 1000PST
27 0235PST
The last part of the month again had a
significant enough frontal passage to
bring winter storms to the higher
elevations of Interior Central
California. Snow amounts included 29
inches at Kibby Ridge and Tunnel Guard
Station; 24" at Mammoth Mountain; 23"
at Upper Burnt Corral; and 18" at
Farewell Gap in the Southern Sierra. In
the Kern Mountains 8" of new snow fell
at Alpine Forest.
CALIFORNIA, Southeast
CAZ026 Owens Valley
19 210OPST
20 0855PST
A trained spotter in Aspendell, CA
reported 14 inches of snow overnight.
CAZ026 Owens Valley
25 0830PST
1540PST
A spotter in Aspendell reported 7
inches of new snow in just over 6
hours. An automated weather site in
South Lake estimated 14 inches of new
snow in 8 hours.
CALIFORNIA, Southwest
CAZ043 San Diego County Coasts
16 0000PST
San Diego Lindbergh Field set a record
for the most consecutive number of days
without measurable rain at 182 days.
This beat the old record of 181 days
set the previous year. The streak
started on April 18, 2004, and ended on
October 17, with the onset of the
wettest October ever on record at
Lindbergh Field.
San Diego County
Oceanside 17 0608PST 0.2 25
0610PST
A cutoff low that sat off the coast for
a week eventually made its way back to
Southern California, and brought the
first measureable rain to the coast in
over 182 days. Rainfall amounts were
generally from 0.10 at the far
southwestern beaches, up to 0.50
inland, and over 1.00 in the mountains.
A waterspout came ashore in Oceanside
and caused minor damage to structures,
blew over some trees, and broke a few
windows. The roof of an elementary
school was partially torn off by the
strong winds. The whole event was brief
and the tornado dissapated when it
reached Pacific Coast Highway. Another
funnel cloud was spotted that afternoon
south of Carlsbad near Moon Beach.
San Bernardino
County
Wrightwood 20 0221PST
0700PST
A flash flood washed out a bridge on
Highway 2 at Sheep Creek. The bridge
was completely burried under mud and
rocks as a torrent of muddy water
rushed over the bridge. The gap between
the bottom of the bridge and the creek
bed, which is normally around 15 feet,
completely filled with mud and debris.
Crews rushed to remove 600 cubic yards
of mud from beneath the bridge as
another strong winter storm would hit
the week after.
San Bernardino
County
20 NNW San Bernardii 20 0228PST
0700PST
Heavy rains over the San Bernardino
Mountains caused a torrent of mud and
water to run down Lytle Creek. More
than three feet of mud was deposited on
Glen Helen Rd and Lytle Creek. One car
was swept away and hurried in the mud.
No one was in the car at the time. A
week later on October 26, the body of a
49 year-old man was found tangled in
mud and trees near the Lytle Creek
ranger station. It appears likely that
this man was swept away in the flood
waters from the October 20 storm. M400T
San Bernardino
County
Devore 20 0230PST
0700PST
A large mud and rock slide inundated
Greenwood Avenue, leaving behind a huge
mess which included trees, large rocks,
and mud. Some vehicles were burried in
a couple feet of mud, and area homes
sustained damage from the flow.
Orange County
Tustin 20 0400PST
0500PST
Five vehicles were submerged when
highway 55 flooded at 4th street.
San Bernardino
County
Chino 20 0415PST
0445PST
A 50-year-old man had to be rescued
from his truck near El Prado Golf
Course when it was submerged up to its
hood in flood waters.
Riverside County
Mira Loma to 20 0530PST
2 SW Mira Loma 1100PST
Swift moving runoff washed out a large
section of Lucretia Ave. near 66th
Street in Mira Loma. Homes along
Lucreita Ave. were damaged by the
flood, which was 5 feet deep in spots.
Further south, about 100 horses had to
be rescued as the Santa Ana River
inundated the River Trails Riding
Stable in Norco with deep water. Some
horses were neck-deep in floodwaters
before they could be led to safety.
San Bernardino
County
Fontana 20 0530PST
0825PST
Widespread flooding occured in the
vicinity of Interstate 10 and Etiwanda
Ave. Vehciles caught in the flood
waters reportedly floated away and
minor flooding damaged homes along
Etiwanda Ave. Nearby, the San Sevaine
flood-control channel overflowed and
washed out some railroad tracks,
resulting in the derailment of three
cars of a Union Pacific freight train.
The derailment and flooding forced the
shutdown of two gas pipelines that
supply jet fuel from Southern
California to Phoenix and Las Vegas.
San Bernardino
County
Redlands 20 0530PST
0630PST
Water overflowed the banks of the Mill
Creek Zanja flood channel, causing an
estimated $700,000 in damage to the
flood channel and surrounding areas
near Sylvan Park and the University of
Redlands.
San Bernardino
County
Forest Falls 20 0900PST
1000PST
Valley of the Falls Dr was made
impassable by mud and rocks that were
deposited by flood waters which washed
over a large stretch of the road early
on the 20th.
San Diego County
1 W Escondido 20 0950PST
1136PST
Creeks in the Harmony Grove area
overflowed from heavy runoff, sending a
river of water two to three feet deep
rushing over Harmony Grove Rd. near
Country Club Dr. Other roads in the
area also had to be closed due to swift
moving runoff and flooding.
San Diego County
San Marcos 20 1030PST
1130PST
Heavy rain sent three to four feet of
water rushing over Craven Rd. in San
Marcos. The second in a series of
October storms brought with it heavy
rain, thunderstorms, flash flooding,
and funnel clouds. Very heavy rain
upwards of 9 inches in the mountains
caused serious flash flooding and
debris flows in parts of the San
Bernardino Mountains. Hundreds of car
accidents were reported and several
mountain roads were made impassible
from mud and rockslides. Roadway
flooding was commonplace all across
southwest California. The combination
of heavy rain and moderate winds caused
many trees around the area to come
crashing down, causing sporadic power
outages. Heavy rain and fog was blamed
for a 41 vehicle pileup on Interstate
15 north of HWY 138 at 1237pm. Several
funnel clouds were spotted offshore
from San Clemente.
Orange County
1 W San Clemente 20 1618PST
Several funnel clouds were spotted
offshore from San Clemente.
San Bernardino
County
2 N Rialto 27 0105PST
0110PST
Water and mud rushed across Lytle Creek
Road just north of Glen Helen Parkway.
CAZ055>056 San Bernardino County Mountains
--Riverside County Mountains
27 0130PST
1500PST
Numerous spotters and members of the
public reported 2 feet of snow in Big
Bear. Most of the 2 feet fell within a
12 hour period. Roads were made
impassable and the weight of the snow
snapped tree limbs and knocked out
power to the area. Some local ski
resorts benefitted with their earliest
opening ever.
San Diego County
4 NNE Vista 27 0345PST
0350PST
Heavy rains at Gopher Canyon left 1 1/2
feet of water across roadways.
Riverside County
4 NNE Lake Elsinore 27 0532PST
0535PST
Heavy rain caused water and mud to run
across Temescal Canyon Road at
Horsethief Canyon Road.
San Diego County
3 SE Ramona 27 0540PST
0800PST
Heavy rain caused Klondike Creek to
overflow across a 25-30 ft section of
Wildcat Canyon Road near San Diego
Country Estates.
Riverside County
3 SW Perris 27 0709PST
0715PST
Swift moving water washed out a small
portion of Highway 74 near Mapes Road.
Riverside County
Sun City 27 0730PST
0830PST
Seven people had to be rescued from
their vehicles when they became trapped
in a flooded intersection in Sun City.
The flood waters were four feet deep at
the time of the rescue.
Riverside County
3 N Lake Elsinore 27 0821PST
0825PST
Heavy rains and runoff caused a large
sink hole to form in the slow lane of
south bound Interstate 15.
San Diego County
12 SSW Borrego Spgs 27 0840PST
0848PST
12 vehicles became trapped in mud when
heavy rains caused a mud flow to run
across Overland Stage Road at Scissors
Crossing.
San Diego County
3 SW Warner Spgs 27 0921PST
0927PST
Heavy rain washed out 2 sections of S2
near highway 79 at mile markers 2 and
3. Mud and rocks also came down across
the road.
San Diego County
San Diego 27 1300PST
1305PST
The San Diego River was near flood
stage when it swept a homeless man away
near Ward Road in Mission Valley. He
was rescued by two men in the