An amplified ridge over the eastern Pacific allowed a few upper-level short wave troughs to move over the region from the 11th through the 13th, resulting in strong, gusty winds and widespread light rain. These passing troughs culminated in a closed upper-level low over San Diego the 14th through the 16th. This cold, closed low dropped south and inland bringing widespread rain and heavy mountain snow to the CWA.
On the 14th, San Diego County received the highest rain amounts due to instability showers in the northwest flow behind the shortwave trough axis. Amounts were generally between 0.15 and 0.50 inches of rain, with around three-quarters of an inch on the coastal mountain slopes. Areas above 3500 feet received 2 to 4 inches of snow, with up to 5 inches at 5000 feet. The Riverside County Mountains received 1 to 2 inches of snow above 5000 feet, while the San Bernardino County Mountains fared somewhat better with a trace to 3 inches above 4000 feet and up to 6 inches around 7000 feet.
The system stalled out over San Diego for the 15th and 16th. The snow level dropped to around 2800 feet that day. The San Bernardino County Mountains came in with a trace up to 5 inches in the range from 3000 to 6000 feet and generally 6 to 8 inches above 7000 feet, with locally higher amounts of 12 to 14 inches in places such as Idyllwild and Big Bear City. The Riverside County Mountains had higher amounts with 10 to 14 inches above 5000 feet and up to 20 inches around 8000 feet.The San Diego County Mountains received 3 to 6 inches above 3500 feet, including 4 inches of snow in Julian which closed schools in that city on the 13th and 15th. Chain control was required in most mountain locations across the area above 3500 feet. California Highway Patrol even closed Interstate 8 near Pine Valley due to the snow and icy conditions. Rainfall was generally moderate and locally heavy ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 inches in the coast and valley locations, with locally heavier amounts up to 0.8 inches on the mountain slopes. Isolated thunderstorms with accumulating small hail and even a few funnel clouds also occurred in the cold, unstable air behind the front during the morning and early afternoon of the 15th.

High Wind in COACHELLA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
From 11-FEB-12 11:30:00 to 11-FEB-12 17:30:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High winds began at the Sky Valley mesonet station between 1130 and 1230 PST and ended between 1600 and 1700 PST on the 11th. During this time, several gusts above 60 mph were recorded including a peak gust of 71 mph around 1300 PST. Sustained winds of 40 mph or greater occurred from 1000 to 1200 PST and from 1600 to 1800  PST.

Dust Storm in COACHELLA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
From 13-FEB-12 22:00:00 to 14-FEB-12 00:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter in La Quinta, near Thermal, reported blowing dust reducing visibility to one tenth of a mile or less. Winds at the time were sustained 30 mph and gusting to 47 mph.

Funnel Cloud in ORANGE, CALIFORNIA
From 14-FEB-12 07:30:00 to 14-FEB-12 09:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: HUNTINGTON BEACH
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

A Huntington Beach Lifeguard reported three funnel clouds approximately 4 miles offshore, sometime between 0800 and 0830 PST on the 14th. The funnel clouds dissipated without lowering to the water.

High Wind in SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS AND FOOTHILLS, CALIFORNIA
From 16-FEB-12 07:00:00 to 16-FEB-12 14:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

High winds began at the Fremont Canyon RAWS between 0651 and 0751 PST and ended between 1251 and 1351 PST on the 16th. During this time, winds consistently gusted above 60 mph and often above 65 mph. Two peak gust of 73 mph was recorded between 1851 and 2051 PST.

Heavy Snow in SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 14-FEB-12 00:00:00 to 16-FEB-12 00:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Two-day snow totals include: Snow Summit Resort near Big Bear (8200 ft)with 14; Onyx Summit (8200 ft) with 12; Running Springs (7200 ft) with 10 and Arrowbear Lake (6200 ft) with 10.

Heavy Snow in RIVERSIDE COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 14-FEB-12 00:00:00 to 16-FEB-12 00:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Two day snowfall totals include: Long Valley Resort (10,000 ft) with 20; Pine Cove/Idyllwild with 14 and San Jacinto (7000 ft) with 8.5.

Winter Weather in SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 14-FEB-12 07:00:00 to 16-FEB-12 12:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Three to four inches of snow and icy roads caused California HIghway Patrol to close Interstate 8 near Pine Valley. Widespread chain control was enforced above 3500 feet.