Meteorological analysis of the Los Angeles-Tujunga Canyon flash flood of 10 February 1978
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Meteorological analysis of the Los Angeles-Tujunga Canyon flash flood of 10 February 1978

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Meteorological analysis of the Los Angeles-Tujunga Canyon flash flood of 10 February 1978
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Details:

  • Personal Author:
  • Corporate Authors:
    Environmental Research Laboratories (U.S.). Office of Weather Research and Modification
  • NOAA Program & Office:
    OAR (Oceanic and Atmospheric Research)
  • Description:
    On 9-10 February 1978 flash flooding, mudslides, and extensive agricultural damage occurred in central and southern California. Twenty persons lost their lives, and estimated property damage was $83 million. Eight counties were declared disaster areas by President Carter. This report documents the synoptic and mesoscale meteorological conditions associated with this storm with special emphasis on rainfall distributions in Los Angeles County. The flash floods resulted when a strong low-latitude storm system developed off the coast and moved inland, just north of Los Angeles. Unusually warm, moist air for February was present over southern California. Maximum rainfalls were focused in the mountains and canyon areas east and north of Los Angeles. Detailed surface maps, corresponding satellite imagery, and standard 500 mb charts are shown for the period from 1200 GMT on 9 February to 1500 GMT on 10 February 1978. Fifteen minute rainfall analyses for the 2 h period 0800 GMT-1000 GMT on 10 February are also presented. Up to 2.5 in of rain were recorded during this 2 h period, and much of the destructive flooding in the Tujunga Canyon occurred as a result of this final period of heavy rainfall. Rainfall histograms for the storm period (0000 GMT, 9 February-1800 GMT, 10 February) are presented to show effects of topography on precipitation amounts. Flash floods of this type are not uncommon in the Los Angeles area, since rainfall amounts did not exceed those of the "50 yr storm." Total precipitation from this storm varied from 2 in near Los Angeles International to more than 16 in at Crystal Lake.
  • Keywords:
  • Series:
    NOAA technical memorandum ERL OWRM ; 1
  • Document Type:
    Technical Memorandum
  • Place as Subject:
    Los Angeles County (Calif.)
  • License:
  • Rights Information:
    CC0 Public Domain
  • Compliance:
    Library
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