A strong upper level low pressure system moved into central California during the afternoon of May 18. A cold front associated with this system pushed across the area overnight bringing periods of moderate to locally heavy precipitation to the area with much of the area picking up between 0.75 and 2 inches of liquid precipitation. As a result, many long standing daily rainfall records were shattered on both May 18 and on May 19. The precipitation mainly fell as snow above 6000 feet, and brought an additional 8 to 14 inches of snow to much of the higher Sierra Nevada range from Yosemite Park southward. Thunderstorms broke out across the San Joaquin Valley in the unstable post-frontal airmass during the afternoon of May 19. There were several reports of small hail and locally heavy rainfall from areas impacted by these thunderstorms. One strong cell produced a small EF0 tornado near Huron as well as some wind damage.

Tornado in FRESNO, CALIFORNIA
From 19-MAY-19 14:41:00 to 19-MAY-19 14:42:00 (PST-8)
Location: WESTHAVEN
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

NWS storm survey team determined that an EF0 tornado touched down 6 miles east of Huron and was on the ground for less than 1 minute. Radar velocity profiles estimated 70 mph winds. Video of the circulation was posted on several social media networks.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRESNO, CALIFORNIA
From 19-MAY-19 14:55:00 to 19-MAY-19 15:05:00 (PST-8)
Location: WESTHAVEN
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Three power poles were slightly blown over and a trampolene was blown over east of the intersection of Gale Ave. and Howard Ave.

Heavy Rain in FRESNO, CALIFORNIA
From 18-MAY-19 11:00:00 to 19-MAY-19 23:00:00 (PST-8)
Location: FRESNO
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 15.00M
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Broadcast media reported that over 60 percent of the cherry crop in Fresno County was destroyed by the persistent rains that took place during the two storms that impacted the area between May 15 and May 19. There was also substantial damage to strawberries and carrots.

Heavy Snow in CENTRAL SIERRA, CALIFORNIA
From 18-MAY-19 11:00:00 to 19-MAY-19 23:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Ostrander Lake SNOTEL (8264 feet) picked up an estimated 7.0 inches of new snowfall.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRESNO, CALIFORNIA
From 19-MAY-19 14:40:00 to 19-MAY-19 14:50:00 (PST-8)
Location: HURON
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 25.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Multiple trees and power poles were reported downed near the intersection of Gale Ave. and Lassen Ave. south of Huron.

Hail in FRESNO, CALIFORNIA
From 19-MAY-19 13:32:00 to 19-MAY-19 13:47:00 (PST-8)
Location: WESTHAVEN
Magnitude: 0.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 1.00M
Reported by: Newspaper

Western Farm Press reported hail up to a half inch in diameter accumulated to around an inch on the ground and did considerable damage to cotton, onions, tomatoes and pistachios.

Heavy Snow in CENTRAL SIERRA, CALIFORNIA
From 18-MAY-19 11:00:00 to 19-MAY-19 23:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Green Mountain SNOTEL (7900 feet) picked up an estimated 8.0 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow in CENTRAL SIERRA, CALIFORNIA
From 18-MAY-19 11:00:00 to 19-MAY-19 23:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Chilkoot Meadow SNOTEL (7150 feet) picked up an estimated 9.0 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow in CENTRAL SIERRA, CALIFORNIA
From 18-MAY-19 11:00:00 to 19-MAY-19 23:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Lower Kibbie Ridge SNOTEL (6479 feet) picked up an estimated 11.0 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow in CENTRAL SIERRA, CALIFORNIA
From 18-MAY-19 11:00:00 to 19-MAY-19 23:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Gin Flat SNOTEL (7201 feet) picked up an estimated 10.0 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow in NORTH KINGS RIVER, CALIFORNIA
From 18-MAY-19 11:00:00 to 19-MAY-19 23:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Volcanic Knob SNOTEL (10050 feet) picked up an estimated 12.0 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow in SEQUOIA KINGS, CALIFORNIA
From 18-MAY-19 11:00:00 to 19-MAY-19 23:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Charlotte Lake SNOTEL (11961 feet) picked up an estimated 6.0 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow in SEQUOIA KINGS, CALIFORNIA
From 18-MAY-19 11:00:00 to 19-MAY-19 23:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Pascoes SNOTEL (9153 feet) picked up an estimated 9.0 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow in SEQUOIA KINGS, CALIFORNIA
From 18-MAY-19 11:00:00 to 19-MAY-19 23:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The Upper Tyndall Creek SNOTEL (11443 feet) picked up an estimated 6.0 inches of new snowfall.

Heavy Snow in SEQUOIA KINGS, CALIFORNIA
From 18-MAY-19 11:00:00 to 19-MAY-19 23:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: SNOTEL

The State Lakes SNOTEL (10419 feet) picked up an estimated 14.0 inches of new snowfall.