Photo: © Dave Szamet
A powerful Pacific storm made landfall in Southern California on Friday, February 24, 2023, and Eaton Canyon took the brunt of the system. The storm brought a whopping 40″ (3 feet, 4 inches) of snow to Mount Wilson according to the National Weather Service in Oxnard. At the bottom of the canyon, Eaton Dam reported 7.93″ of precipitation for the entire event, bringing the water year’s rain total to 29.73″ of accumulated precipitation. This makes the 2022-2023 water year the wettest rain year in the canyon since since 2005 when 70″ fell in lower Eaton Canyon.
Snow levels were reported to be down to 2,500′ at times, with up to an inch of snow falling at Henninger Flats. Old Pasadena reported 8.11″ of rain, 7.49″ of which fell during 48-hour period from February 24-25th. This makes the 2023 #SouthernCaliforniaBlizzard the 11th wettest 2-day period in Pasadena’s 118 year long weather record book. Flash flooding within Eaton Canyon itself was limited due to low snow elevations and the lack of any particularly heavy downpours throughout the system. It is increasingly obvious that rain rates, not necessarily rain accumulations, are the most important factor for producing dangerous flash flooding within the canyon. The December 14, 2021, January 10, 2023, and February 24, 2023 storms all brought 6″ – 8″ of rain to Eaton Canyon, but that precipitation fell in a much shorter amount of time during the December 14, 2021 storm and resulted in a much more significant flash flood.
Maximum wind gusts included 34 MPH at the Pinecrest Gate, 50 MPH at Henninger Flats, 74 MPH at Mount Disappointment, and 86 MPH at Barley Flats Road behind Eaton Canyon along Hwy 2 in the Angeles National Forest.
The Altadena Mountain Rescue Team (AMRT) reported that 2 individuals were trapped in the canyon after dark on the 25th as the trails were too slippery to hike up. Once again, we do not advise hiking in Eaton Canyon during inclement weather. While rescues happen at all times of the year, rescues are most common in winter when inexperienced hikers underestimate the power of mother nature. Always check the forecast and let others know where you are going and when you’ll be back.
More images of our incredible snowstorm all courtesy of AlertCalifornia webcams:
