A very cold and potent low pressure system approached southern California on the 30th with showers increasing through the day and night with a shot of very low-elevation snow. The brunt of the storm occurred during the night of the 30th and morning of the 31st. Snow levels dropped rapidly overnight down to 1500-2000 feet, with some light accumulations even down to 1000 feet. The southern Inland Empire was hardest hit with the unusually low snow, covering areas like Temecula, Lake Elsinore, and Wildomar, which caused issues all along Interstate 15 down through Valley Center. Several inches were also reported in Ranchita and Julian in San Diego County. Overall, the snow totals went as follows: 10 to 18 inches across Palomar Mountain to Julian, 6 to 9 inches from Warner Springs to Julian in San Diego County, 2 to 4 inches from Temecula to Wildomar and Lake Elsinore in the southern Inland Empire, and 4 to 8 inches across Highway 74 and Horsethief canyon in the Santa Ana Mountains. The snow resulted in several road closures, including Highway 74 and Highway 18, stranded vehicles and chain controls on the roads that remained open. Rainfall totals below the snow level generally ranged from .25-1.25 inches, with no significant flooding reported. Thunderstorms also occurred with the leading edge of the cold front from Oceanside and Carlsbad to La Mesa with hail up to one-half inch diameter. Strong winds also accompanied this system with several reports of damage. Most gusts were sub-warning criteria, though a few stations recorded gusts over 60 mph.

Winter Storm in SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS AND FOOTHILLS, CALIFORNIA
From 30-DEC-14 23:00:00 to 31-DEC-14 14:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter in El Cariso Village reported 10 inches of snow as of 0800 PST with tree damage and power outages. The nearby El Cariso mesonet station recorded a wind gust of 44 mph between 1100-1115 PST on the 31st.

Winter Storm in RIVERSIDE COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 30-DEC-14 20:00:00 to 31-DEC-14 20:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A 24 hour snowfall of 2-8 inches was reported by the public near Idyllwild.

Heavy Snow in SAN BERNARDINO AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY VALLEYS - THE INLAND EMPIRE, CALIFORNIA
From 30-DEC-14 23:00:00 to 31-DEC-14 07:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter just northwest of Lake Elsinore reported 6 inches of snow at 1400 feet causing widespread damage to trees with many limbs broken. CHP reported Interstate 15 impacted by snow with 1-2 at the Clinton Keith Road exit. The Baxter Road off-ramp was closed due to snow accumulations where cars are stuck in snow. Bundy Canyon Road off-ramp Was completely snowed in with several vehicles stuck in the snow. A spotter reported Interstate 15 shutdown at Wildomar with 8-10 inches estimated at elevation of 1400 ft. A member of the public reported a 24 hour snowfall of 5 inches reported near Lake Matthews.

Heavy Snow in SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 30-DEC-14 20:00:00 to 31-DEC-14 20:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported 24 hour snowfall totals as follows: 9-12 inches at Big Bear Mountain and Snow Summit, 8 inches at Green Valley Lake and Running Springs, 6 inches at Lake Arrowhead and Forrest Falls, and 5 inches in Crestline.

Winter Storm in SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 30-DEC-14 20:00:00 to 31-DEC-14 06:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Between 2000 PST on the 30th and 0200 PST on the 31st, heavy snow combined with wind and cold stranding over 100 motorists along Highway 138 between Pilot Rock Road and Old Mill Road along the south side of Silverwood Lake and around Crestline. No major injuries were reported, but a huge impact on resources for the county and risk to the people while they were stranded. The highway was closed in this area as a result.

Heavy Snow in SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 30-DEC-14 20:00:00 to 31-DEC-14 20:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The Mt. Laguna Observatory reported a 24 hour snow total of 12 inches. The COOP observer at Mt. Laguna reported a 24-hour snow total of 8 inches. The COOP observer at the Palomar Mountain Observatory reported a 24-hour snow total of 14 inches. Multiple public reports of 7 to 9 inches of snow in Julian.

Winter Weather in SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS AND FOOTHILLS, CALIFORNIA
From 30-DEC-14 21:00:00 to 31-DEC-14 01:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

CHP reported several inches of snow on Highway 74 in the Santa Ana Mountains resulted in closing both directions of the roadway between San Juan Capistrano and Lake Elsinore due to the heavy snow. An estimated 100 vehicles were stuck in the closure zone. There were also downed trees in roadway. A member of the public reported 6 inches of snow in 24 hours near Horsethief Canyon.

High Wind in SAN DIEGO COUNTY VALLEYS, CALIFORNIA
From 31-DEC-14 06:00:00 to 31-DEC-14 06:30:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 54.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

The Red Mountain HPWREN mesonet recorded high winds between 0606-0626 PST on the 31st with a peak gust of 62 mph.

High Wind in SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 30-DEC-14 03:00:00 to 30-DEC-14 05:30:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High winds occurred at the Mt. Laguna HPWREN mesonet between 0315-0515 PST on the 30th. During this time, winds were sustained out of the west-southwest at 45-55 mph with gusts in the low 60s. The peak gust of 63 mph was recorded between 0505-0515 PST.

High Wind in ORANGE COUNTY COASTAL AREAS, CALIFORNIA
From 30-DEC-14 23:00:00 to 31-DEC-14 01:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A spotter in the city of Orange recorded a wind gust of 58 mph. Another spotter in that area reported a wind gust of 46 mph with shingles blown off the neighbors roof.

High Wind in COACHELLA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
From 30-DEC-14 02:00:00 to 30-DEC-14 04:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

High winds occurred at the Whitewater RAWS between 0150-0350 PST on the 30th. During this time, winds were sustained out of the west-northwest at 35-40 mph with gusts in the upper 50s, including the peak gust of 59 mph recorded between 0250-0350 PST.

High Wind in SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS AND FOOTHILLS, CALIFORNIA
From 30-DEC-14 21:00:00 to 31-DEC-14 11:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 69.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

High winds occurred at the Fremont Canyon RAWS between 2051 PST on the 30th and 1051 PST on the 31st. During this time, winds were sustained out of the ENE at 35-55 mph with gusts in the 60s and 70s mph. A peak gust of 79 mph was recorded between 0451-0551 PST on the 31st.