Remote Surveillance Trailer in Winters, CA

NAPA COUNTY, CA - A 2.9 magnitude quake was recorded near Winters Wednesday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

A tremor rattled the area at 7:48 a.m. The earthquake's epicenter was situated approximately 12 miles west of Winters and occurred at a depth of just 3 miles.

Did you feel it?

You can let the USGS know if you noticed the quake by filling out their Felt Report form. So far, the agency has collected 6 online responses from individuals indicating that they felt the tremor.

Earthquakes past week

Last week, the area has experienced three quakes of magnitude 2.5 or above. The biggest, a 4.2 magnitude quake, struck close to Cloverdale six days earlier.

The three largest earthquakes nearby in the last week:

What to know about earthquakes

Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, the U. S. Geological Survey says. It replaces the old Richter scale. Quakes between 2.5 and 5.4 magnitude are often felt but rarely cause much damage, according to Michigan Tech. Earthquakes below 2.5 magnitude are seldom felt by most people.

Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. They can happen anywhere, but are most common in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Washington, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

It is estimated that there are 500,000 detectable earthquakes in the world each year. 100,000 of those can be felt, and 100 of them cause damage.

What to do during an earthquake

If an earthquake strikes, it's best to protect yourself right away. Here are tips from experts:

If you're in a car: Pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.

If you're in bed: Turn face-down and cover your head with a pillow.

If you're outdoors: Stay away from buildings. Don't go inside.

If you're inside: Stay and don't run outdoors. Stay away from doorways.

The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say. "Wherever you are, drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy," officials say. "If you're using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, make sure your wheels are locked and remain seated until the shaking stops." Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible. If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows. Once under a table, officials say you should hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it.

"There can be serious hazards after an earthquake, such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines," officials say. "Expect aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake. Be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel an aftershock."

Source: The U.S. Geological Survey

United Robots California

What you need to know: As upcoming seasonal winter rains begin, California is working to capture and store as much water as possible now to strengthen supplies for future dry months and droughts.

SACRAMENTO – As California enters the upcoming season of winter rains, the Newsom administration and local agencies are working to collect as much of that stormwater as possible for future use.

California’s winter rain season is a critical time of year when water managers need to capture, move, and store as much water as possible for our dry summer months and potential future drought conditions. Following three weeks of dry conditions in most of California, reservoirs have room to assist flood managers. At Lake Oroville, the State Water Project’s largest reservoir, storage is at 54 percent capacity, with plenty of available space in the reservoir to manage high inflows and capture storm runoff for future water supply.

California is taking a proactive approach to water management by capturing as much water as possible when seasonal rains arrive and storing it for the dry months ahead. With reservoirs ready and continued investments in storage and groundwater recharge, we’re preparing for a future with more extreme weather while protecting our water supply for communities, farms, and ecosystems across the state.

Governor Gavin Newsom

Last month, thanks to years of planning and investment, local stormwater-capture projects turned a downpour into a valuable boost to the water supply. In Los Angeles alone, those November storms generated billions of gallons of captured water — enough to supply tens of thousands of households — with the potential for even more as new projects come online.

Building water storage for a more resilient California

Building on the success of flood diversion efforts in 2023, the state has partnered with 14 local agencies in the Sacramento and San Joaquin regions to divert flood flows and prepare land for groundwater recharge. These preparations include pre-deploying 20 large-capacity pumps and clearing more than 650 acres of land. These efforts aim to reduce flood risk and enhance groundwater supplies by helping local agencies safely divert flows from swollen streams into underground aquifers for storage. This builds upon an executive order from Governor Newsom in 2023 that authorized the diversion of flood flows for flood risk reduction and recharge benefits.

Along the Sacramento River Basin, the Big Notch fish passage project is now in action to both modernize and improve California’s water system while also protecting juvenile endangered winter-run Chinook salmon. The Big Notch is a key State Water Project infrastructure investment, improving conditions for migratory fish while supporting the water supply depended upon by tens of millions of Californians. It’s part of the State Water Project’s ongoing efforts to balance water supply and environmental protection.

In August, California committed an additional $219 million to the Sites Reservoir project. Sites Reservoir is a key component of Governor Newsom’s water strategy—capturing water from the Sacramento River during wet seasons and storing it for use during drier seasons. These efforts will hold up to 1.5 million acre-feet of water, which is enough to supply over 4.5 million homes for a year. The project will help California maintain a resilient water supply in the face of climate change, weather extremes, and water scarcity.

Local agencies turn storms into supply

In addition to surface water storage, the Newsom administration is working to improve California’s underground water storage through groundwater recharge efforts. Data from the California Department of Water Resources confirms that the state’s aquifers are improving year after year thanks to abundant precipitation and efforts by the state and its regional partners to capture and store more high flows during winter storms in groundwater basins, expand recharge basins, improve groundwater monitoring, and better coordinate among local agencies to reduce groundwater pumping.

These investments ensure that when water does arrive, we can store it, use it wisely, and build long-term resilience for the entire state.

The shortest day of the year is almost here.

Nights are growing colder and darker in California as the winter solstice approaches.

The sun now sets before 5 p.m. and doesn’t rise until 14 hours later, around 7 a.m.

The winter solstice marks the beginning of the new season and the longest night of the year, when the state experiences the fewest hours of sunlight during the day.

When is the solstice this year? And when will Californians start seeing more sunlight?

Here’s what to know about the return of winter.

When does winter officially start in 2025?

The winter solstice takes place annually in the Northern Hemisphere on either Dec. 20, 21, 22 or 23, depending on the year, according to online calendar Time and Date.

In 2025, the first day of winter falls on Sunday, Dec. 21.

The winter solstice landed on Dec. 21 in 2024 and will also fall on the same date next year.

The next Dec. 20 solstice isn’t until 2080 and a Dec. 23 solstice won’t occur until 2303, Time and Date said.

What is the winter solstice?

The winter solstice takes place when half of Earth is pointed away from the sun, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

“We often think of the winter solstice as an event that spans an entire calendar day, but the solstice actually lasts only a moment,” the Old Farmer’s Almanac said. “Specifically, it’s the exact moment when a hemisphere is tilted as far away from the sun as possible.”

On the solstice, the sun’s path is as low as possible across the sky, resulting in less sunlight that any other day of the year.

Californians can observe the solstice by walking outside around noon and taking a glance at your shadow, the Almanac said.

On the winter solstice, you’ll cast the longest shadow of the year due to the sun’s tilt.

During the solstice, the Northern Hemisphere plunges into darkness and typically has cooler temperatures because of the lack of direct sunlight, NASA said in a blog post.

When winter begins in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s the start of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

What are sunrise and sunset times once winter begins?

On Sunday, Dec. 21 — the winter solstice — sunrise will occur at 7:20 a.m. and sunset will be at 4:48 p.m., according to Time and Date.

On the shortest day of the year, Californians will only experience nine hours, 28 minutes and 12 seconds of sunlight.

When will California see more daylight?

The days will begin to get progressively longer following the winter solstice.

California gains three seconds of daylight the day after the winter solstice, according to Time and Date.

By the end of December, the state will have gained an additional 3 minutes and 22 seconds of daylight.

By Saturday, Jan. 31, the days will be 46 minutes and 40 seconds longer.

By the time the vernal equinox occurs, people in the Northern Hemisphere will have gained two hours and 40 minutes and 44 seconds of sunlight, according to Time and Date.

When is the spring equinox in 2026?

In 2026, the vernal equinox — the first day of spring — will fall on Friday, March 20, in 2026.

On the spring equinox, the sun “crosses the celestial equator” and we experience equal hours of daylight verses nighttime, according to Time and Date.

The sun will rise at 7:09 a.m. on the spring equinox and set at 7:18 p.m., according to Time and Date, which will equal 12 hours, eight minutes and 56 seconds of sunlight.

Winters High coach Daniel Ward reflects on a championship run that united a town, defied the odds, and delivered the program’s first CIF State title in its 86-year history

A Night That Changed Winters Forever

On that night, the Warriors captured their first-ever CIF Football State Championship, defeating Morse High School of San Diego, 28-7, under the leadership of head coach—and Winters High alumnus—Daniel Ward. It marked a milestone moment for a football program that has been part of the community for 86 years.

‘Passionate, Selfless, Physical’: Inside the Warriors’ Identity

Winters, California, is a small town built on pride, culture, and connection. It’s a community that shows up for its own—and this championship run was no different.

When High School On SI asked Ward what made this team special, he summed it up in three words: passionate, selfless, and physical.

Underdogs by Design

The Warriors entered the matchup as clear underdogs, facing a Morse High program with nearly four times the student enrollment. But that role suited them just fine.

“We love being the underdogs,” Ward said. “We play with a chip on our shoulder.”

A Bus Ride Home with History Aboard

When the bus rolled back from Buena Park, it carried more than a state championship trophy. It carried a piece of history that will live forever in Winters.

When the Community Showed Up—Again

That moment came full circle on January 4, 2026. On a cold, rainy afternoon, the entire Winters community turned out to celebrate the Warriors—once again proving what this town is all about: showing up when it matters most.

Q&A with Winter's High School Football Coach Daniel Ward

Coach Daniel Ward: We talk a lot about "what's your why or what's your purpose" For every kid it's different, but when the going gets tough, you have to have that. You have to play for something bigger than yourself. If you ask our kids what their purpose is... it's their family... it's their community. I just needed to remind them about that. When they get tired, when things are going their way, remember your purpose and just empty the tanks. I knew we were going to need that type of effort.

DW: The last couple weeks have been quite the ride and having the community there to support us along the way is what made it so special. The parade, just like our send off that we received before the state game, is something that we will all remember for the rest of our lives. I wasn't sure what to expect, especially with the inclement weather, but when I got closer to main street and could see all of the people lined up I definitely had some happy tears. It was our full circle moment.. We left town to every student in WJUSD on the streets wishing us luck and came down those same streets, but this time as a state championship to celebrate with all of our loved ones. It wasn't just a championship parade for the football team, it was a community celebration.

DW: It shows every little kid in Winters that dreams do come true with a lot of hard work and dedication and that is not just in football, but in life. Winters is still one of those special places where the entire town shuts down on Friday nights and everyone goes to the football game to support not just the players but the cheerleaders, the band and everyone else involved. This is their trophy just as much as it is ours.

DW: I have been doing this long enough to know that Lane Brown is a generational player and not just at Winters High School but for the Northern Section as a whole. He is the first player in section history to Pass for 2,000 yards and rush for 2,000 yds in a season and only the 4th player in the history of CA to accomplish that feat. His 4,551 total yards and his 53 total TDs are both section records as well so having a player like that definitely makes my job pretty easy. More important than the stats though is the type of kid that he is. He is hardworking, selfless and a natural leader. He is a great role model not just for the younger kids in our program but the entire community of Winters and he shows kids that you can do it all!. He is a 3 sport athlete, highly involved in our FFA program and he is a 4.0 student. It is kids like him that make Winters so special.

DW: We love being the underdogs and try to play with a chip on our shoulders all the time so this was right where we wanted to be. In any battle, you dont fight because you hate what's in front of you... You fight and give everything that you have, because you love what's behind you and that is our team this year. They play selfless football, they don't care about stats or accolades, just grinding it out and giving everything that you have for the man next to you and for the people behind you. From watching the game we weren't the bigger, faster or stronger team, but our kids definitely wanted it more. This game just meant more to our players, meant more to our families and it meant more to our community and that is how David beats Goliath.

DW: For me its about enjoying our time together and living every day to its fullest, if we do that, we can't lose. It's never been about the wins or the losses, the championships or the trophies. It's all about the relationships that we form and the memories that we make along the way. The wins, the championships, the records, those all fade over time... it's the memories that will last a lifetime. So if there is any type of legacy... it would be to focus on that and to play the right way with maximum heart and passion.

MYCKENA GUERRERO

For the past eight years Myckena Guerrero has been working with great, talented individuals in the sports industry and beyond. Her goal is to show the world the authentic stories behind the helmets of their favorite athletes. Myckena graduated from California State University of Sacramento with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. She has been honored to interview athletes from all levels and walks of life including Steph Curry, Jerome Bettis, Canelo Alvarez, Larry Fitzgerald, Bryce Young, DJ Uiagalelei Trevor Lawrence, Allyson Felix, and Abby Wombach.

Top 7 Reasons to Visit Monterey, CA in Winter

From whale watching to enjoying a cozy beverage with a view, here are the top 5 reasons to visit Monterey County this winter.

There are over a dozen Monterey County Holiday Happenings between late November and January, so plan accordingly. Looking for a comforting meal without having to cook? Get into the spirit and Ice Skate by the Bay in the Custom House Plaza or attend a holiday tree lighting at one of these Christmas events! If you are still here to ring in the New Year, celebrate at First Night Monterey which is an all-day family-friendly event.

Need we say more? Enjoy Carmel Beach, a beautiful, peaceful haven. The pristine white sandy shores and gentle waves of the Pacific Ocean will take your breath away! Fog is not usually an issue in the winter months and it's often our sunnier time of year. Take advantage of the great weather and get outside this holiday season.

Cozy up next to the warm fireplace and listen to the bagpiper play at the Inn and Links at Spanish Bay. Or enjoy alfresco dining and watch the sunset from the upper deck at Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette Restaurant.

For a more intimate take, book a room at Carmel Valley Ranch where every suite has a fireplace. Whether you're looking for a scenic view or a spot to enjoy some people-watching, you'll find the perfect fireplace just for you.

There are many restaurants and cafés in Monterey County offering cozy concoctions that are bound to warm you up!

Take in the legendary views of the Big Sur coastline at Nepenthe where they brew up a legion of coffee drinks, the highlight of which is without a doubt the Keoki Coffee, made with specialty coffee, Kahlua, Créme de Cacao and Brandy topped with whipped cream.

Get the “Best of Both Brews” and visit The Beerded Bean where coffee and beer are served! Try their Mexican Mocha or one of their seasonal drinks.

Indulge in luxury and a liquor libation at The Lobby Lounge located at the Inn at Spanish Bay. Sit by the fire pits on the patio to admire the views and listen to the bagpiper play right before sunset. Every hot drink is done to perfection, from the traditional Irish coffee to the Nutty Scotsman or the Hot Oaxaca Chaca, which is made with Hornitos Reposado, Agave, hot cocoa, whipped cream and cinnamon. Explore all the holiday cocktails around Monterey!

Winter is prime time for spotting whales along California’s central coast. From December through mid-April, giant gray whales travel more than 10,000 miles from the icy Alaskan waters to the warm birthing lagoons of Baja California and Mexico. They’re often accompanied by pods of orcas and a variety of dolphins (lured by tempting anchovy treats filling Monterey Bay). Hop aboard a whale watching cruise for up-close views of these gentle giants. Landlubbers can stroll along sandy beaches in places like Garrapata State Park and Marina State Beach to view breaching whales clearly from the shore when they come to feed in the Monterey Submarine Canyon, the third largest in the world.

Witness fluttering clouds of orange and black descend upon charming Pacific Grove, also known as Butterfly Town, U.S.A. California’s central coast is the only place in America where monarch butterflies migrate to overwinter. They begin arriving in October and stay through February, creating spectacular effects as they flit and float through the air and hang in clusters from eucalyptus, pine and cypress trees in Pacific Grove’s Monarch Grove Butterfly Sanctuary. Because monarch butterflies have a lifespan of less than one year their migration remains a mystery. They arrive each year, never having been to this destination before. Visit in the early afternoon, the warmest time of day, to see these delightful creatures when they’re most active.

Monterey County is part of the Central Coast Birding Trail. So, birding enthusiasts: pack up your spotting scopes to view an intriguing mix of wintering birds such as rhinoceros auklets (cousin to the puffin), murrelets and uniquely beaked northern fulmars. Elkhorn Slough is one of the last remaining coastal wetlands in California, providing varied habitats for wintering shorebirds such as black turnstones, surfbirds, brown pelicans and dozens of duck species, including buffleheads and mergansers. You can kayak amid diving loons and grebes or enjoy a free birding tour along boardwalk trails the first Saturday of each month.

Dark-eyed juncos and towhees flutter and forage around willows and underbrush in Pinnacles National Park. The park’s rocky peaks are home to migrating raptors and smaller birds, like the acrobatic violet-green swallow. The fragrant forest of rare Monterey Pine in Jacks Peak Park offers breathtaking ridge-top vistas and the potential to glimpse migrating hawks and swifts. The Marina Dunes Preserve and sandy shores of Carmel River State Beach play host to wintering flocks of threatened snowy plovers and the beach’s freshwater lagoon attracts many wintering species including champion-flyer Arctic terns.

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is one of the best places in the world to see seals, sea lions and sea otters. You can typically hear the piercing bark of playful, raucous sea lions before you see them, packed together on rocks, jetties and under wharfs. Shy harbor seals can be seen resting on rocks and secluded beaches just offshore. While sea otters float on their backs near kelp forests – newborns cuddled on their mother’s tummies. From late winter through spring, witness the antics of their adorable pups at places like Elkhorn Slough, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and all along the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail.