A strong and very cold low pressure system dropped southward along the California coast on Christmas Day bringing some light precipitation inland into central California. The system then turned inland and moved through southern California during the evening of December 25 through the morning of December 26 bringing moderate to heavy precipitation to much of Kern County with lighter amounts further north. Between 1 and 2 inches of liquid precipitation fell across much of Kern County with the snow level between 2500 and 3000 feet. Above the snow line, 1 to 2 feet of new snowfall was reported at several stations and the heavy snowfall resulted in the closure of several highways (including Interstate 5 south of Grapevine) for an extended period of time during a period of normally heavy holiday traffic after several vehicle either slid off of the highway or spun out. One truck driver was killed after being stranded along Interstate 5 for several hours. Across the Kern County Deserts and in the San Joaquin Valley from Bakersfield southward, heavy rainfall resulted in several roads being closed for a few hours with several reports of nuisance flooding reported by the Emergency Managers office or by law enforcement. There were also several reports of strong wind gusts and some reports of minor wind damage in the Fort Tejon and Tehachapi areas. Further north precipitation amounts were significantly lower although parts of Kings County picked up between a quarter and three quarters of an inch of rainfall. The remainder of the area generally picked up a quarter of an inch or less of liquid precipitation before the system moved to the east of the area during the evening of December 26.

High Wind in TEHACHAPI AREA, CALIFORNIA
From 25-DEC-19 22:40:00 to 25-DEC-19 22:40:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

The PG&E station at Pampa Peak measured a peak wind gust of 67 mph.

Winter Storm in TEHACHAPI AREA, CALIFORNIA
From 26-DEC-19 02:25:00 to 27-DEC-19 10:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

California Highway Patrol reported that SR 58 was closed through Tehachapi for several hours after 40 to 50 vehicles either spun out or slid off the highway, and SR 178 was closed between Weldon and SR 14 due to heavy snowfall.

Flood in KERN, CALIFORNIA
From 26-DEC-19 05:00:00 to 26-DEC-19 07:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: WHEELER RIDGE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Kern County Emergency Manager reported roadway flooding on Laval Rd. from Rancho Rd. to Wheeler Ridge Rd.

Debris Flow in KERN, CALIFORNIA
From 26-DEC-19 14:00:00 to 26-DEC-19 16:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: REEFER CITY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

California Highway Patrol reported 4 vehicles were stuck in a mudslide near the intersection of Holt St. and Purdy Ave. in Mojave.

Flood in KERN, CALIFORNIA
From 26-DEC-19 09:30:00 to 26-DEC-19 12:30:00 (PST-8)
Location: OIL JCT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Kern County Emergency Manager reported Airport Dr. was closed from Roberts Ln. to State Rd. due to flooding.

Winter Storm in FORT TEJON, CALIFORNIA
From 25-DEC-19 22:00:00 to 27-DEC-19 10:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

California Highway Patrol reported SR 33 and SR 166 were closed south of Maricopa due to heavy snowfall.

Flood in KERN, CALIFORNIA
From 26-DEC-19 14:00:00 to 26-DEC-19 18:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: GARLOCK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Kern County Emergency Manager reported Redrock-Randsburg Rd. was closed between SR 14 and US 395 due to flooding.

Flood in KERN, CALIFORNIA
From 26-DEC-19 15:00:00 to 26-DEC-19 17:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: LAKEVIEW
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Kern County Emergency Manager reported Shallock Rd. was closed between Copus Rd. and Valpredo Ave. due to flooding.

Flood in KERN, CALIFORNIA
From 26-DEC-19 15:00:00 to 26-DEC-19 17:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: LAMONT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Kern County Emergency Manager reported Panama Ln. was closed between Weedpatch Hwy. and Edison Rd. due to flooding.

Flood in KERN, CALIFORNIA
From 26-DEC-19 15:00:00 to 26-DEC-19 17:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: LAMONT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Kern County Emergency Manager reported South Vineland Rd. was closed between Mountain View Rd. and Hermosa Rd. due to flooding.

Flood in KERN, CALIFORNIA
From 26-DEC-19 15:00:00 to 26-DEC-19 17:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: WIBLE ORCHARD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Kern County Emergency Manager reported Southgate Dr. was closed between Chester Ave. and P St. due to flooding.

Debris Flow in KERN, CALIFORNIA
From 26-DEC-19 13:26:00 to 26-DEC-19 19:26:00 (PST-8)
Location: RICARDO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

California Highway Patrol reported rocks in the roadway on southbound SR 14 near Abbott Dr.

Strong Wind in TEHACHAPI AREA, CALIFORNIA
From 26-DEC-19 09:00:00 to 26-DEC-19 12:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Kern County Emergency Manager reported Old Town Rd. was closed from SR 202 to Jeffrey Rd. due to downed power lines.

Strong Wind in TEHACHAPI AREA, CALIFORNIA
From 26-DEC-19 14:30:00 to 26-DEC-19 17:30:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Kern County Emergency Manager reported downed trees blocking the roadway on Lower Cummings Valley Rd. near SR 202.

Heavy Snow in TEHACHAPI AREA, CALIFORNIA
From 25-DEC-19 22:00:00 to 26-DEC-19 10:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

Public posting on Twitter of 12.0 inches of new snowfall measured by the Tehachapi City Hall.

Heavy Snow in FORT TEJON, CALIFORNIA
From 25-DEC-19 16:00:00 to 26-DEC-19 16:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Public report of an estimated 21.5 inches of new snowfall at Pine Mountain Club (5800 ft).

Heavy Snow in FORT TEJON, CALIFORNIA
From 25-DEC-19 16:00:00 to 26-DEC-19 16:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Public report of an estimated 21.5 inches of new snowfall in Frazier Park (5000 ft).

Heavy Snow in FORT TEJON, CALIFORNIA
From 25-DEC-19 16:00:00 to 26-DEC-19 16:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Public report of an estimated 24.0 inches of new snowfall in Cuddy Valley.

High Wind in FORT TEJON, CALIFORNIA
From 25-DEC-19 20:30:00 to 25-DEC-19 20:30:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 59.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

The PG&E station at Digier Road Hilltop (Lebec 5NW) measured a peak wind gust of 68 mph.

Winter Storm in FORT TEJON, CALIFORNIA
From 25-DEC-19 22:00:00 to 27-DEC-19 10:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

California Highway Patrol closed Interstate 5 between Grapevine and Castaic due to heavy snowfall which led to several vehicles spinning out Grapevine and Lebec. A 51 year old truck driver was found dead at 830 am PST on December 26 after being stranded for several hours.