A very powerful winter storm brough significant weather to Central and Southern California. This storm produced several inches of rainfall across the area. The intense rainfall produced areas of flash flooding across Ventura and Los Angeles counties, including a mud and debris flow near the Griffith Park burn area. The storm brought in a significant amounts of cold air which lowered snow levels to around 2500 feet at the height of the storm. Several inches of snowfall was reported between 2500 and 4000 feet while areas above 4000 feet received several feet of snowfall. This heavy snowfall closed Highway 33 in Ventura county as well as Interstate 5 through the Grapevine in Los Angeles county. Between 300 and 500 vehicles were stranded along Interstate 5 on Wednesday night, January 23rd. Near the Mountain High Ski Resort several avalanches occurred, killing 3 skiers. Unstable air associated with the strom system produced several reports of waterspouts west of Oxnard and Palos Verdes with one waterspout moving onshore across Point Mugu Naval Station, damaging a roof.

Flash Flood in LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
From 25-JAN-08 07:57:00 to 25-JAN-08 09:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: NEWHALL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

California Highway Patrol reported heavy rain and flash flooding near the community of Newhall. Reports indicated flash flooding along Interstate 5 which closed down several lanes for a couple of hours.

Flash Flood in VENTURA, CALIFORNIA
From 25-JAN-08 07:58:00 to 25-JAN-08 09:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: MOORPARK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

California Highway Patrol reported heavy rain and flash flooding near the community of Moorpark. Reports indicated flash flooding along Tierra Rejada Drive at Hillside Drive.

Flash Flood in LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
From 25-JAN-08 05:44:00 to 25-JAN-08 07:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: (BUR)BURBANK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

California Highway Patrol reported heavy rain and flash flooding near community of Burbank. Reports indicated significant flooding across Interstate 5 at Lincoln.

Flash Flood in LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
From 25-JAN-08 06:12:00 to 25-JAN-08 08:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: STUDIO CITY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

California Highway Patrol reported heavy rain and flash flooding south of Studio City in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. Reports indicated flash flooding and mud flows completely blocking Coldwater Canyon Road at Mulholland Drive.

Flash Flood in LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
From 24-JAN-08 22:36:00 to 25-JAN-08 01:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: BELLFLOWER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

California Highway Patrol reported heavy rain and flash flooding near the community of Bellflower. Reports indicated over 2 feet of water flooded Interstate 605 in Bellflower.

Tornado in VENTURA, CALIFORNIA
From 24-JAN-08 19:15:00 to 24-JAN-08 19:25:00 (PST-8)
Location: PT MUGU NAS
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

A weak tornado moved onshore across Point Mugu Naval Air Station. The short-lived tornado tore the roof off of one building on the base as well as knocked over several trash cans.

Flash Flood in LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
From 25-JAN-08 01:25:00 to 25-JAN-08 04:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: GLENDALE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The USGS reported flash flooding including mud and debris flows near the Griffith Park Burn Area. Mud and debris flows covered Observatory Road.

Winter Storm in SANTA BARBARA COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 23-JAN-08 17:00:00 to 24-JAN-08 17:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained weather spotters reported 3-5 inches of snowfall at 1500 feet elevation near San Marcos Pass. Given the significant rainfall and associated low snow levels, elevations above 3000 feet in the Santa Barbara county mountains likely received 1-2 feet of new snowfall. Along with the snow, southerly winds between 20 and 40 mph with higher gusts produced areas of blowing snow and reduced visibilities.

Winter Storm in VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 23-JAN-08 17:00:00 to 24-JAN-08 17:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained weather spotters reported 6-12 inches of snowfall in the Lockwood Valley and Frazier Park areas. Given the significant rainfall and associated low snow levels, elevations above 5000 feet in the Ventura county mountains likely received up to 2 feet of new snowfall. Along with the snow, southerly winds between 20 and 40 mph with higher gusts produced areas of blowing snow and reduced visibilities. These winter storm conditions closed down Highway 33 through the mountains of Ventura county for several days.

Winter Storm in LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS EXCLUDING THE SANTA MONICA RANGE, CALIFORNIA
From 23-JAN-08 20:00:00 to 24-JAN-08 17:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trained weather spotters reported significant snowfall in the mountains of Los Angeles county. Elevations between 2500 and 5000 feet received between 8 and 16 inches of snowfall while resort areas around 7000 feet received up to 4 feet of new snow. Along with the snow, southerly winds between 20 and 40 mph with higher gusts produced areas of blowing snow and reduced visibilities. These winter storm conditions closed down Interstate 5 through the Grapevine for over 36 hours with between 300 and 500 vehicles stranded along the highway.

Avalanche in LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS EXCLUDING THE SANTA MONICA RANGE, CALIFORNIA
From 25-JAN-08 12:05:00 to 25-JAN-08 14:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Several avalanches occurred near the Mountain High Ski Resort in the San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles county. Three male skiers died as a result of the avalanches.