A powerful winter storm impacted Southern California on December 7th. The storm produced widespread moderate to heavy precipitation and strong gusty winds. The system had an impressive 55 kt 925 mb jet ahead of the cold front. The snow level started off relatively high, so only locations at or above the resort levels saw snowfall over one foot, while other mountain communities received a few inches. Higher elevations in the northern deserts also received a dusting of snow. Rainfall totals ranged from about one to over four inches in the coastal and valley regions, and the low deserts received up to one and one-half inches.
Much damage was reported with this storm. Rain soaked grounds and gusty winds uprooted multiple trees throughout the region, damaging vehicles and buildings. Over 100,000 customers lost power at some time during the storm.

High Wind in SAN DIEGO COUNTY COASTAL AREAS, CALIFORNIA
From 07-DEC-09 17:30:00 to 07-DEC-09 18:15:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A peak wind gust of 59 MPH was measured by the Point Loma mesonet between 1730 and 1745 PST. High winds ended by 1815 PST.
In Encinitas, a eucalyptus tree fell on a condo causing minor damage to the roof.

High Wind in COACHELLA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
From 07-DEC-09 23:50:00 to 08-DEC-09 06:50:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

High winds occurred in the Coachella Valley between 2350 and 0750 PST. The Whitewater RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 73 MPH between 0350 and 0450 PST.

High Wind in SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 08-DEC-09 02:51:00 to 08-DEC-09 03:51:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

A peak wind gust of 62 MPH was measured by the Burns Canyon RAWS between 0251 and 0351 PST.

High Wind in RIVERSIDE COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 07-DEC-09 19:36:00 to 08-DEC-09 00:36:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

High winds were measured by the Pinyon RAWS between 1936 and 0036 PST. Between 2336 and 0036 a peak wind gust of 62 MPH was measured.

High Wind in SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 07-DEC-09 15:07:00 to 08-DEC-09 00:54:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High winds were measured by the Julian mesonet between 1507 and 0054 PST. At 2025 PST, a peak wind gust of 71 MPH was measured. A trained spotter also measured a peak gust of 74 MPH at Cuyamaca at 1523 PST.

Heavy Snow in SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 07-DEC-09 03:30:00 to 07-DEC-09 18:45:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snow began in Big Bear around 0330 PST and continued through about 1845 PST. By 1600 PST, 13 inches of snow had accumulated.

Strong Wind in SAN DIEGO COUNTY VALLEYS, CALIFORNIA
From 07-DEC-09 14:00:00 to 07-DEC-09 22:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 35.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Gusty winds caused a large oak tree to fall on a car in Ramona around 1800 PST. In Scripps Ranch, a eucalyptus tree fell on a home, destroying a garage. No injuries were reported with either incident.

Heavy Snow in RIVERSIDE COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 07-DEC-09 04:00:00 to 07-DEC-09 17:15:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow began at Pine Cove around 0400 PST and continued through about 1715 PST. A trained spotter reported a storm total of 14 inches. The nearby town of Idyllwild received 10 inches of snow from the storm.

Strong Wind in SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 07-DEC-09 16:00:00 to 07-DEC-09 22:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Heavy snow and gusty winds were responsible for knocking down two trees in the San Bernardino County mountains. The first, in Big Bear Lake, fell onto a home on Cherry Lane, causing minor damage. The second incident was in Boulder Bay, where a tree fell and did damage to two homes, knocked down power lines, and destroyed a car and a trailer.

Strong Wind in ORANGE COUNTY COASTAL AREAS, CALIFORNIA
From 07-DEC-09 16:00:00 to 07-DEC-09 20:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 35.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Gusty winds knocked over trees throughout Orange County, damaging buildings and cars. In Tustin, arcing power lines caused a power pole to catch fire. No injures were reported.