National Weather ServiceCaliforniaHigh Wind WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
High Wind Watches in California
The National Weather Service issued 49 high wind watches for California in 2025 and 51 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 4th most of any state. 2026 through September: 15, 57% below the average of 35 for those months in 2008-2025. San Bernardino County Mountains was covered most often (130 times since 2008).
How many high wind watches does California get?
Every high wind watch that covered part of California. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 15 |
| 2025 | 49 |
| 2024 | 46 |
| 2023 | 55 |
| 2022 | 46 |
| 2021 | 49 |
| 2020 | 44 |
| 2019 | 39 |
| 2018 | 34 |
| 2017 | 58 |
| 2016 | 50 |
| 2015 | 35 |
| 2014 | 55 |
| 2013 | 38 |
| 2012 | 69 |
| 2011 | 74 |
| 2010 | 57 |
| 2009 | 53 |
| 2008 | 74 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does California get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in California?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino County Mountains | 130 | 20 | March 7, 2026 |
| Ventura County Mountains | 119 | 4 | February 22, 2023 |
| Los Angeles County Mountains excluding the Santa Monica Range | 115 | 0 | April 5, 2022 |
| San Diego County Mountains | 115 | 15 | February 16, 2026 |
| Eastern Sierra Slopes of Inyo County | 108 | 8 | May 17, 2026 |
| Riverside County Mountains | 106 | 13 | January 8, 2026 |
| Central Siskiyou County | 101 | 21 | December 25, 2025 |
| Owens Valley | 98 | 8 | March 31, 2025 |
| Modoc County | 85 | 16 | December 25, 2025 |
| Apple and Lucerne Valleys | 77 | 9 | December 23, 2025 |
| Coachella Valley | 71 | 6 | January 7, 2024 |
| Santa Barbara County Mountains | 71 | 0 | April 5, 2022 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a high wind watch?
A high wind watch means winds reaching high wind warning values are possible. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in California.