A cold winter storm brought 1 to 5 feet of storm total snow accumulation to the higher mountains of the southern Cascades and to the northern Sierra Nevada. Snow levels dropped to near 4000 feet during the latter part of the storm. Gusty winds brought reduced visibilities and broad drifting of snow.
This system also generated thunderstorms in the Central Valley, bringing heavy rain, flash flooding, and other severe effects. Large amounts of hail were reported over Shasta and Glenn Counties, larger than quarter size and more than 6 inches deep in some areas. Flash flooding and slides closed Highway 70 with minor flooding over a number of rural roads. Numerous car accidents from wet roads were reported across the area, as well as trees falling from a combination of wet ground and wind.

Hail in SHASTA, CALIFORNIA
From 04-MAR-09 14:30:00 to 04-MAR-09 15:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: COTTONWOOD
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Law Enforcement

CHP reported up to 2 inches of hail covering Interstate 5.

Hail in GLENN, CALIFORNIA
From 04-MAR-09 16:15:00 to 04-MAR-09 17:15:00 (PST-8)
Location: ORLAND
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Public

Hail fell up to 3 inches deep, with some stones measuring up to penny-size.

Winter Storm in BURNEY BASIN/EASTERN SHASTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-09 14:00:00 to 04-MAR-09 12:00:00 (PST-8)
Reported by: SNOTEL

Heavy snow fell over the southern Cascades and northern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Snow levels over the area started at 6000 feet and then fell to around 2500 feet by Wednesday. Snowfall amounts 6 to 12 inches.

Winter Storm in SHASTA LAKE/NORTH SHASTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-09 16:00:00 to 04-MAR-09 10:00:00 (PST-8)
Reported by: SNOTEL

Heavy snow fell over the southern Cascades and northern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Snow levels over the area started at 6000 feet and then fell to around 2500 feet by Wednesday. Snowfall amounts up to 10 inches.

Heavy Rain in SUTTER, CALIFORNIA
From 03-MAR-09 08:45:00 to 03-MAR-09 22:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: NICOLAUS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Minor flooding of rural county roads.

Lightning in BUTTE, CALIFORNIA
From 03-MAR-09 08:30:00 to 03-MAR-09 09:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: PARADISE
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Lighting struck a dentist office, damaging a swamp cooler on the roof, the office computer, and the phone system.

Heavy Rain in COLUSA, CALIFORNIA
From 03-MAR-09 08:45:00 to 03-MAR-09 22:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: ARBUCKLE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Minor flooding of rural county roads.

Hail in GLENN, CALIFORNIA
From 04-MAR-09 16:00:00 to 04-MAR-09 17:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: ARTOIS
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Hail covered the roads and a grain field was flattened by at least penny-size hail. The hills were whitened by hail. In addition, there were 0.57 inches of rain in Artois in one hour. An NWS employee on a storm survey the next day measured hail to 1.25 inches in diameter, with depths of the hail exceeding 6 inches.

Flash Flood in PLUMAS, CALIFORNIA
From 02-MAR-09 08:45:00 to 02-MAR-09 12:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: TOBIN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

CHP closed the west bound lane of Highway 70 in the Rich Bar area due to a rock slide resulting from heavy rainfall on a burn area.

Heavy Rain in BUTTE, CALIFORNIA
From 02-MAR-09 11:50:00 to 03-MAR-09 09:15:00 (PST-8)
Location: RICHVALE ARPT
Reported by: County Official

Heavy rain caused road closings due to minor flooding of several county roads.

Heavy Rain in YOLO, CALIFORNIA
From 03-MAR-09 08:45:00 to 03-MAR-09 22:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: KNIGHTS LNDG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Minor flooding of rural county roads.

Hail in TEHAMA, CALIFORNIA
From 04-MAR-09 14:30:00 to 04-MAR-09 15:30:00 (PST-8)
Location: HOOKER
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: Newspaper

Hail blanketed the ground to 2 inches deep on Bowman Rd. near Interstate 5.  Most of the hail was pea size. There were 3 car accidents reported in the area on Interstate 5 during the hail event, with two ambulances dispatched.

Hail in GLENN, CALIFORNIA
From 04-MAR-09 14:00:00 to 04-MAR-09 15:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: BAYLISS
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The Glenn County Sheriff Office reported nickel-size hail in Fruto.

Hail in GLENN, CALIFORNIA
From 04-MAR-09 16:15:00 to 04-MAR-09 17:30:00 (PST-8)
Location: ARTOIS
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Penny-size hail fell near Artois.

Winter Storm in MOUNTAINS SOUTHWEST SHASTA COUNTY TO NORTHERN LAKE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-09 14:00:00 to 04-MAR-09 12:00:00 (PST-8)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy snow fell over the southern Cascade and northern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Snow levels over the area started at 6000 feet then fell to around 2500 feet by Wednesday. Snowfall amounts were up to 12 inches.

Winter Storm in MT SHASTA/WESTERN PLUMAS COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-09 14:00:00 to 04-MAR-09 12:00:00 (PST-8)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy snow fell over the southern Cascade and northern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Snow levels over the area started at 6000 feet then fell to around 2500 feet by Wednesday. Snowfall amounts were up to 12 inches.

Winter Storm in WEST SLOPE NORTHERN SIERRA NEVADA, CALIFORNIA
From 01-MAR-09 19:00:00 to 04-MAR-09 12:00:00 (PST-8)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow fell over the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Snow levels over the area started at 6500 feet and then fell to around 3000 feet by Wednesday. Some storm total snowfall amounts include 60 inches of snow at Blue Canyon, 53 inches at Sierra at Tahoe, 57 to 64 inches at Boreal, 53 to 64 inches at Kirkwood, and 49 to 68 inches at Sugar Bowl. Blowing snow brought zero visibility to Interstate 80 on the 3rd, and the CHP closed a 60 mile stretch from Applegate to the Nevada-California border. There were 10 tractor trailers reported jacknifed along I-80. Other area mountain roads such as Highway 50 required snow chains.