During an already very active month, the final storm of January left a considerable impact on many communities in Central California. An upper-level low pressure system dropped south along the California coast, kicking a low pressure system inland. This weather system became nearly stationary southwest of Point Conception on the 26th. This low brought strong downslope winds through the Tejon Pass into the south end of the San Joaquin Valley. Southeast winds with sustained speeds of 68 mph were measured at the base of the Grapevine for about 2 hours late in the evening of January 26th, with a gust to 65 mph reported as far north as Bakersfield. The gust was on the east side of the city; the highest gust measured at Meadows Field Airport was 49 mph.
This storm also had enough cold air, initially, to produce heavy snowfall in the Sierra Nevada. Totals ranged generally between 12 to 30 inches in the higher terrain during the first two days of this storm event, January 26-27.
Subtropical moisture spinning around the low brought heavy rain to the Tehachapi Mountains west of the Grapevine. Because of the subtropical nature of the moisture, the snow levels were high and warm rain fell on the nearly 2 feet of snow at Frazier Park from the previous storm. As the ground saturated, mud slides developed on the mountain slopes, closing Frazier Mountain Park Road and triggering the issuance of a Flash Flood Warning for mud and debris flows. Rainwater runoff from the Tejon Pass flowed into the south end of the San Joaquin Valley, causing flooding on parts of Copus and David Roads as well.
In the Kern County desert, heavy rain falling on the El Paso Mountains resulted in flooding of the Garlock and Red Rock Roads along the south flanks of the mountains in Kern County.
The warm, unstable airmass also triggered outbreaks of severe thunderstorms over portions of the San Joaquin Valley on the 27th, especially in Tulare and Fresno Counties. A severe thunderstorm developed south of Visalia shortly after noon, and spawned a weak tornado that knocked down trees and severely damaged a trailer park. The tornado, rated EF-0 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale with peak winds of 70 mph, was the first tornado to hit the San Joaquin Valley since March 28, 2006, when an EF-0 tornado touched down 1 mile southeast of the city of Merced. The last tornado to hit Tulare County had been an F-0 that touched down 5 miles southeast of Dinuba on October 20, 2004.
A strong thunderstorm formed shortly after 4 PM on the 27th, again just south of Visalia, and then passed over the east side of the city. This storm was weaker than the earlier thunderstorm, but did produce one-quarter inch hail and damaging wind gusts.
The large Pacific storm continued through the 28th. Fresno recorded another third of an inch of rain that day, and winds gusted to 33 mph at Fresno-Yosemite International Airport. Very little rain fell over the south end of the Valley, with Bakersfield getting a total of only 0.01 inch of rain for the three-day event, although winds did gust to 37 mph at Meadows Field on the 28th. A weak upper-level low pressure trough, trailing the storm, moved through central California on the 29th, keeping unsettled weather over the region right through the end of the month.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRESNO, CALIFORNIA
From 27-JAN-08 12:45:00 to 27-JAN-08 12:52:00 (PST-8)
Location: DUNLAP
Magnitude: 56.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported wind damage to trees and property at a ranch near the town of Squaw Valley. Several trees and branches were uprooted, damage occurred to several outbuildings on the property. This severe thunderstorm originally developed near Visalia and produced a small tornado, and then continued to travel to the north-northeast and affect other communities.

Thunderstorm Wind in TULARE, CALIFORNIA
From 27-JAN-08 12:15:00 to 27-JAN-08 12:25:00 (PST-8)
Location: CINOWTHS CORNER
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained SKYWARN spotter reported approximately 10 medium to large trees uprooted along Goshen Avenue on the north side of Visalia.

Thunderstorm Wind in TULARE, CALIFORNIA
From 27-JAN-08 16:00:00 to 27-JAN-08 16:10:00 (PST-8)
Location: PAIGE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 11.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained spotter reported trees downed on Road 64 at Ave 184 near the city of Tulare. This storm continued east-northeast and caused additional minor damage near Visalia and Woodlake.

Thunderstorm Wind in TULARE, CALIFORNIA
From 27-JAN-08 16:45:00 to 27-JAN-08 16:50:00 (PST-8)
Location: LINDCOVE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 22.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Local law enforcement reported 3 utility poles downed near the intersection of Road 212 and Ave 314 near the town of Woodlake. This severe thunderstorm actually developed near the city of Tulare, and tracked east-northeast to affect several more communities.

Strong Wind in W CENTRAL S.J. VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
From 25-JAN-08 11:04:00 to 26-JAN-08 00:45:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 34.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in E CENTRAL S.J. VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
From 25-JAN-08 15:40:00 to 25-JAN-08 20:31:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 36.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in SW S.J. VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
From 25-JAN-08 12:17:00 to 25-JAN-08 20:50:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 36.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in SE S.J. VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
From 25-JAN-08 12:05:00 to 25-JAN-08 15:05:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 34.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Winter Storm in S SIERRA MTNS, CALIFORNIA
From 26-JAN-08 14:40:00 to 28-JAN-08 03:45:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

Winter Storm in TULARE CTY MTNS, CALIFORNIA
From 26-JAN-08 14:40:00 to 28-JAN-08 03:45:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

High Wind in SW S.J. VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
From 26-JAN-08 21:30:00 to 27-JAN-08 04:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 59.00 MS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

High Wind in SE S.J. VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
From 26-JAN-08 21:30:00 to 27-JAN-08 04:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Strong Wind in SW S.J. VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
From 27-JAN-08 14:50:00 to 27-JAN-08 16:50:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 46.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in SE S.J. VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
From 27-JAN-08 09:52:00 to 27-JAN-08 16:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 40.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in KERN CTY MTNS, CALIFORNIA
From 28-JAN-08 10:00:00 to 28-JAN-08 20:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 49.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 1.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Strong Wind in INDIAN WELLS VLY, CALIFORNIA
From 28-JAN-08 11:00:00 to 28-JAN-08 19:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 45.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 1.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Flash Flood in KERN, CALIFORNIA
From 27-JAN-08 04:01:00 to 27-JAN-08 06:31:00 (PST-8)
Location: FRAZIER PARK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

California Highway Patrol and local Emergency Management reported several mudslides on the Frazier Mountain Park Road. This flash flood event was caused by locally heavy rainfall combined with rapid snowmelt from recent heavy snow events.

Flood in KERN, CALIFORNIA
From 27-JAN-08 06:08:00 to 27-JAN-08 12:08:00 (PST-8)
Location: KERTO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

California Highway Patrol reported a large amount of water and mud on Copus Road just east of Basic School Road, and also on State Route 166 just east of Basic School Road.

Flood in KERN, CALIFORNIA
From 27-JAN-08 02:53:00 to 27-JAN-08 05:53:00 (PST-8)
Location: RIDGECREST
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

California Highway Patrol reported Garlock Rd flooded and washed out in parts.

Thunderstorm Wind in TULARE, CALIFORNIA
From 27-JAN-08 12:00:00 to 27-JAN-08 12:02:00 (PST-8)
Location: LOMA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Several small trees down in the southwest portion of the city of Visalia due to a severe thunderstorm.

Thunderstorm Wind in TULARE, CALIFORNIA
From 27-JAN-08 12:30:00 to 27-JAN-08 12:40:00 (PST-8)
Location: MONSON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Off-duty NWS employee reported trees downed in the town of Orosi, just north of Visalia and south of Orange Cove.

Tornado in TULARE, CALIFORNIA
From 27-JAN-08 12:10:00 to 27-JAN-08 12:17:00 (PST-8)
Location: GOSHEN JCT
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.75M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Official NWS survey in the City of Visalia indicated an EF0 (Enhanced Fujita Scale: maximum estimated wind speeds 60 to 70 mph) tornado touched down and caused minor damage on the west side of Visalia just after noon on January 27, 2008. The damage assessment indicated that this weak tornado was associated with a small severe thunderstorm that developed just southwest of Visalia and moved northeast across the west portion of the city and to the northeast of the city between about noon and 1230 pm on january 27, 2008. The damage survey indicated the tornado touched down near a mobile home park along Akers Street on the west side of the city. Damage occurred across the park with several medium to large sized shallow rooted trees uprooted, fences downed, branches removed, and shingles and carports damaged. Several medium sized trees were downed onto homes or garages causing moderate damage to those homes. The tops of several trees were damaged and some fences were blown in different directions, suggesting this event was caused by a weak tornado, in addition to the discovery of a small damage path. National Weather Service doppler radar also indicated rotation within the lowest levels of the storm at the time of the event. Eyewitness accounts of a loud roaring noise, funnel clouds, and large debris/dust clouds also occurred near the mobile home park and contributed to the storm survey. The tornado likely continued for up to two miles to the northeast as additional similar damage was discovered along Goshen Avenue near the Visalia Municipal Golf Course. Minor damage also occurred in other parts of Visalia with a few utility poles and trees and branches downed, likely from straight-line wind damage due to the outflow of the severe thunderstorm.