A cold upper trough dropped southward from the Pacific Northwest into the Great Basin on February 14. This system was moisture deficient with precipitation amounts in the Sierra Nevada and Tehachapi mountains generally a tenth of an inch or less of liquid precipitation. However, strong pressure gradients accompanying the cold front which pushed through the area during the day produced period of increased winds across the area. Several stations in the Kern County Mountains and Deserts measured wind gusts exceeding 60 mph. Several highways were proactively closed across the Kern County Mountains and Deserts due to the strong winds.  Increased winds also impacted the San Joaquin Valley where several stations measured gusts between 35 and 45 mph. Although impacts from blowing dust were minimal due to the abundant rainfall in December in January, an area of blowing dust west of Chowchilla did result in a 12 vehicle accident which resulted in the closure of SR 152 west of SR 99 for much of the day. The winds decreased during the evening as the trough moved to east of the region.

High Wind in MOJAVE DESERT SLOPE(S), CALIFORNIA
From 14-FEB-23 07:40:00 to 14-FEB-23 07:40:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 74.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

The Southern California Edison station at Cottonwood Creek West measured a peak wind gust of 85 mph.

High Wind in MOJAVE DESERT SLOPE(S), CALIFORNIA
From 14-FEB-23 11:20:00 to 14-FEB-23 11:20:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

The Southern California Edison station at Little Oak Canyon measured a peak wind gust of 70 mph.

High Wind in MOJAVE DESERT SLOPE(S), CALIFORNIA
From 14-FEB-23 07:00:00 to 14-FEB-23 07:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 58.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

The Southern California Edison station at Cache Creek measured a peak wind gust of 67 mph.

High Wind in MOJAVE DESERT SLOPE(S), CALIFORNIA
From 14-FEB-23 11:20:00 to 14-FEB-23 11:20:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

The Southern California Edison station at Cottonwood Canyon measured a peak wind gust of 64 mph.

High Wind in MOJAVE DESERT SLOPE(S), CALIFORNIA
From 14-FEB-23 10:26:00 to 14-FEB-23 10:26:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 71.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

The Indian Wells Canyon RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 82 mph.

High Wind in MOJAVE DESERT SLOPE(S), CALIFORNIA
From 14-FEB-23 07:32:00 to 14-FEB-23 07:32:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

The Blue Max RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 64 mph.

High Wind in SOUTH END OF THE UPPER SIERRA, CALIFORNIA
From 14-FEB-23 11:27:00 to 14-FEB-23 11:27:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 68.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

The Bird Springs Pass RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 78 mph.

High Wind in SOUTH END OF THE UPPER SIERRA, CALIFORNIA
From 14-FEB-23 07:10:00 to 14-FEB-23 07:10:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 67.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

The Bear Peak RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 77 mph.

High Wind in TEHACHAPI, CALIFORNIA
From 14-FEB-23 07:14:00 to 14-FEB-23 07:14:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

The Jawbone Canyon RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 72 mph.

High Wind in INDIAN WELLS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
From 14-FEB-23 14:26:00 to 14-FEB-23 14:26:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

The Laural Mountain RAWS measured a peak wind gust of 72 mph.

High Wind in MOJAVE DESERT SLOPE(S), CALIFORNIA
From 14-FEB-23 13:40:00 to 14-FEB-23 13:40:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 67.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

The Mojave Airport AWOS measured a peak wind gust of 77 mph.

Dust Storm in MERCED-MADERA-MENDOTA, CALIFORNIA
From 14-FEB-23 11:13:00 to 14-FEB-23 11:13:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

California Highway Patrol reported a 12 car accident in blowing dust just east of the intersection of SR 152 and Road 16 south of Chowchilla which resulted in SR 152 being closed in both directions between Road 16 and SR 99.