A weak, upper-level trough moved through California overnight on February 26th, into the morning of the 27th, increasing gusty west winds and bringing a round of light to moderate showers over and west of the mountains. A much stronger, Pacific low pressure system took aim at southern California late on the 27th, bringing periods of heavy rain and high-elevation mountain snow through the 28th (with additional heavy rain through March 1). Most of the upslope rain and convective showers occurred on the 28th. Strong, long-duration upslope flow enhanced rainfall on southwest-facing coastal slopes. The four-day, storm total precipitation amounts were significant. Costal locations ranged from 1 to 3 inches of rain, with the valleys recording up to 4.5 inches toward the coastal slopes. Mountain locations varied widely depending on slope aspect, but most recorded between 3 and 8 inches of rain. The upper deserts recorded between one-tenth and one-half inch, while the lower deserts measured generally less than one-tenth of an inch. The notable exceptions were Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs in the Coachella Valley and San Felipe in San Diego County, all of which measured between one-half of an inch and one inch. The big rainfall winners were along the southern slopes of the San Bernardino County mountains, with Yucaipa Ridge coming in at 11.11 inches, Lytle Creek with 9.67 inches and Cedar Glen with 9.10 inches. The snow level remained fairly high, around 6000 feet. Most locations saw between 2 and 7 inches of snow, with Big Bear Lake and Onyx Peak recording 9 to 10 inches. The significant rainfall in a relatively short period of time resulted in numerous instances of urban and flash flooding with mud/debris flows, causing numerous road closures and swift water rescues in and around the urban areas of Orange, (Anaheim), San Diego (Escondido and Fashion Valley), and Riverside (Fallbrook to Lake Elsinore) counties. The most significant of these was the mud slides and subsequent road closure of Highway 74 (Ortega Highway) stemming from the Falls Fire burn scar. Many road closures also occurred in the Coachella Valley as a result of heavy rainfall over the headwaters of the Whitewater River, flowing down the valley through the storm channel. Area rivers saw rises of 2 to 5 feet, in some instances within 12 hours. A 10 to 15-foot-tall and eight-foot-wide section of the quarter-mile levee protecting Buckwheat Road from Sheep Creek failed, threatening 8 homes with flood waters. Westerly winds with this system were significant as well, topping numerous large trees and power poles, as well as damage at John Wayne Airport. A report of a 102 mph wind gust came from the Bear Mountain ski resort weather equipment on the 28th. Conditions support this gust, however, no damage was reported. Thunderstorms on the 28th also produced gusty winds, downing several trees and damaging power lines and other structures.

Flash Flood in SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA
From 28-FEB-14 17:00:00 to 28-FEB-14 19:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: WRIGHTWOOD
Flood cause: Dam / Levee Break
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

San Bernardino County Fire is reporting a levee failure along Sheep Creek near the intersection of Buckwheat Road and Manzanita Road in Pinon Hills. Eight homes were threatened and those eight families were evacuated due to the flooding threat. County fire department set up sandbags around all the homes and all were spared from flood damage. Consistent heavy rain over the area throughout the day, resulted in Sheep Creek running over the road at the intersection of Sheep Creek Road and Lone Pine Canyon Road. This intersection was closed and 8-hour rainfall  total was 5 inches.

Flood in ORANGE, CALIFORNIA
From 28-FEB-14 08:00:00 to 28-FEB-14 11:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: SEAL BEACH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter in Seal Beach reported street flooding around 6 inches deep at the intersection of Anderson and Pacific Coast Highway. Skywarn also relayed a report of street flooding along Tustin Avenue. Fire department reported a swift water rescue in a storm drain at Placentia and Crowther Avenues, just north of Anaheim.

Flash Flood in RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
From 28-FEB-14 11:00:00 to 28-FEB-14 13:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: LAKELAND VLG
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Riverside County OES reported Ortega Highway (Hwy 74) closed due to debris flow of mud around the Falls Fire burn scar. A sink hole was also reported on Grand Avenue.

Flood in RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA
From 28-FEB-14 11:00:00 to 28-FEB-14 17:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: CATHEDRAL CITY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

KESQ media Palm Springs reports and had photos of several road closures due to flooding in washes including: Araby Drive, Golf Club Drive, Indian Canyon, Vista Chino and Gene Autry. These road closures were caused by flooding due to heavy rainfall in the adjacent mountains.

Flood in SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
From 28-FEB-14 09:00:00 to 28-FEB-14 14:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: CHAPPO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

CHP reported road closed at Huffstatler Road and Old 395 at 5th Street due to flooding. A spotter reported a debris flow at Woods Valley Road and Wolford Road with six inch rocks. A county official reported water flowing over Country Club Drive in west Escondido where the road goes into Escondido Creek.

Flood in SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
From 28-FEB-14 09:00:00 to 28-FEB-14 18:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: LA JOLLA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

An NWS employee reported 7 inches of standing water at the intersection of Ingraham Street and La Playa Avenue in Pacific Beach. Local tv news showed footage of water running across Quarry Road in Spring Valley. NBC media showed video of 6 inches deep of flowing water on Dairy Mart Road in Imperial Beach. This area drains from the Tijuana River.

Thunderstorm Wind in ORANGE, CALIFORNIA
From 28-FEB-14 10:00:00 to 28-FEB-14 12:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: TUSTIN
Magnitude: 39.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A tree landed on the roof of home in Tustin on Green Valley Drive from strong winds in line of heavy rain with embedded thunder.

High Wind in SAN BERNARDINO AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY VALLEYS - THE INLAND EMPIRE, CALIFORNIA
From 28-FEB-14 16:15:00 to 28-FEB-14 17:15:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

The Highland Springs RAWS measured a peak gust of 65 mph from a line of thunderstorms between 1616 and 1716 PST on the 28th.

High Wind in SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS AND FOOTHILLS, CALIFORNIA
From 28-FEB-14 07:30:00 to 28-FEB-14 16:30:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The Sierra Peak mesonet reported high winds between 0730-1630 PST on the 28th, with a peak gust of 69 mph recorded between 0904-1004 PST. The El Cariso RAWS also reported a peak gust of 70 mph between 1520 and 1620 PST that afternoon.

Thunderstorm Wind in SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA
From 28-FEB-14 10:00:00 to 28-FEB-14 11:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: BIG BEAR LAKE
Magnitude: 48.00 EG
Property damage: 40.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Firefigthers responded to a call of a 70-foot pine tree fallen on home and vehicle, with power lines knocked out. The leading line of heavy rain was moving through at the time with several lightning strikes in the western San Bernadino mountains between 10 am to 11 am on the same line of storms. The tree blocked the street.

Thunderstorm Wind in SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA
From 28-FEB-14 11:00:00 to 28-FEB-14 13:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: SAN BERNARDINO
Magnitude: 48.00 EG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

The Press Enterprise reported a large tree fallen on North Macy Street in San Bernardino, crushing the front of a car. A line of showers with lightning was crossing the mountains and high deserts at the time.
Nearby, in Fontana, an emergency manager reported a roof collapse due to the gusty wind and rain.

High Wind in APPLE AND LUCERNE VALLEYS, CALIFORNIA
From 28-FEB-14 14:00:00 to 28-FEB-14 17:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 62.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

High winds occurred at the Burns Canyon RAWS between 1351-1651 PST on the 28th. During this time, several gusts over 60 mph were recorded, including the peak gust of 71 mph, measured between 1351-1451 PST.

Thunderstorm Wind in SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
From 28-FEB-14 12:00:00 to 28-FEB-14 13:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: OCEAN BEACH
Magnitude: 43.00 MG
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Fox 5 news reported a large tree down in Ocean Beach. San Diego Lindbergh ASOS had a gust of 45 mph at the time. This storm was on the southern end of a squall line (no lightning detected), so possible wet microburst mixing down 50 mph winds at 1 to 2 kft. The same news station reported a 50-year-old tree downed by high winds near downtown San Diego around the same time. Several other trees were downed in the area with this line as well.

High Wind in SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 28-FEB-14 12:00:00 to 28-FEB-14 14:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High winds occurred at the Harrison Park mesonet between 1200 and 1400 PST on the 28th. During this time, a peak gust of 64 mph was recorded twice between 1300 and 1400 PST. A peak gust of 73 mph occurred at the Pauma Valley mesonet between 1200 and 1300 PST.

Thunderstorm Wind in SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
From 28-FEB-14 14:00:00 to 28-FEB-14 16:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: (MYF)MNTGMRY FLD SAN
Magnitude: 43.00 MG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

CBS8 had video of a large tree down on the Cadillac dealership in Kearny Mesa. Nearby mesonet stations showed gusts 45 to 50 mph from 1300-1630 PST.

Thunderstorm Wind in SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
From 28-FEB-14 16:00:00 to 28-FEB-14 17:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: CHULA VISTA
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

ABC news 10 reported straight line winds estimated at 60 mph, which brought down a large tree onto a condominium in Chula Vista. A nearby mesonet station at Coronado Cays recorded a wind gust of 58 mph, though radar showed an intense line segment overhead to support a wet microburst of stronger winds aloft.

Debris Flow in SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA
From 28-FEB-14 09:00:00 to 28-FEB-14 15:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: SCOTLAND
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

CHP closed Highway 18 from Snow Valley to Big Bear due to minor flooding and rock debris. A spotter reported a heavy debris flow along Highway 18 near the Arrowbear area. Arrowbear music camp will be blocked off. Another spotter reported 5 inches of water running down the street in his North San Bernardino neighborhood. The Press Enterprise in Riverside reported streets and parking lots flooded in the Redlands area.

High Wind in SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 28-FEB-14 12:00:00 to 28-FEB-14 17:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 71.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High winds occurred at the Boucher Hill mesonet site between 1200-1700 PST on the 28th, with most gusts over 60 mph. During this period, a peak gust of 82 mph was measured between 1517-1527 PST. A few other gusts of 58-60 mph were recorded a little before and after the main high wind period as well.

Thunderstorm Wind in ORANGE, CALIFORNIA
From 28-FEB-14 14:30:00 to 28-FEB-14 16:30:00 (PST-8)
Location: (SNA)SANTA ANA CO AR
Magnitude: 45.00 EG
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

John Wayne Airport officials reported a plane moved 3 feet from severe wind, several metal signs down and jet bridge damage. ASOS had 35 mph for a peak wind at the time, though it was likely a wet microburst as seen on radar. Downstream, wind measured at the Fremont Canyon RAWS site at 74 mph one hour later.