A deep, cold winter storm hit northern California after nearly 2 months of relatively dry weather pattern. This system began in the early morning hours of Feb. 19th and continued through the evening. This brought a significant amount of snowfall to the Sierra foothills and up to 10-12 of snow in the higher Sierra. A multi-car pile-up occurred due to the snow amounts. Furthermore, this system produced two landspout tornadoes in the Central Valley, and several funnel clouds, gustnados, and small hail were reported. Rainfall amounts ranged between 0.5 to 0.50 for the lower elevations.

Tornado in TEHAMA, CALIFORNIA
From 19-FEB-13 13:28:00 to 19-FEB-13 13:31:00 (PST-8)
Location: GERBER
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported a landspout tornado at approximately 1:30pm near Gerber, CA.  This tornado touched down in a farmland south of Worthington Ave. and tracked from northeast to southwest, hitting the east side of a large barn and destroying the roofing structure of the eastern side. The tornado scattered the metal roof shingles and wood pieces up to 200 ft away to both the northeast and southwest. Based on damage, the NWS tornado survey rated it as an EF0 with an estimation of 74 mph. Images and video confirmed that this tornado was a landspout.

Tornado in COLUSA, CALIFORNIA
From 19-FEB-13 14:00:00 to 19-FEB-13 14:01:00 (PST-8)
Location: MAXWELL
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A brief landspout tornado was reported by the public and verified as a landspout by video footage. This tornado was rated as an EF0 that occurred at approximately 2PM in a field south of Fairview Rd by Danley Rd. No damage and no injuries were associated with this tornado.

Winter Storm in MOTHERLODE/CAMPTONVILLE TO GROVELAND, CALIFORNIA
From 19-FEB-13 08:00:00 to 19-FEB-13 22:00:00 (PST-8)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A cold low pressure system moved through Feb. 18th and 19th. A strong precipitation band with low snow levels (1000-2000 ft) dropped a significant amount of snow in the Sierra foothills. Snowfall totals were reported as follows: Camino (3120 ft) received 7, Fiddletown (2500 ft) received 4, Soulsbyville (3000 ft) received 7, Nevada City (3000-3300 ft) received 7 to 8.5, San Andreas (1720 ft) received 4, Grass Valley (2422 ft) received 3, Placerville (2180 ft) received 6, Sonora (3000 ft) received 7, and Pine Grove (2100 ft) received 2. During the event, a 30-car pile up occurred on Highway 4 (Ebbetts Pass Highway) and Forest Meadows Drive. No known fatalities.

Winter Storm in WEST SLOPE NORTHERN SIERRA NEVADA, CALIFORNIA
From 19-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 19-FEB-13 22:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A cold low pressure system moved through the overnight hours of Feb 19th and continued through the evening of the 19th. A strong precipitation band with low snow levels (1000-2000 ft) dropped 6 to 12 inches at the ski resorts. Other spotters reported the following: Twain Harte (3,648 ft) received 8, Sugar Pine (4200 ft) received 8, Cedar Ridge (4050 ft) received 9.5, and Pacific House (3440 ft) received 6. Blue Canyon (5280 ft) received 10. During the event, a 50 to 100 car pile up occurred on Highway 49 and Rawhide Road near Tuttletown. No known fatalities.