An unusual cold weather system swept in from the Gulf of Alaska on Saturday, bringing a rare taste of winter to the West Coast in the middle of August. Snow blanketed the mountains of California and the Pacific Northwest, disrupting travel and creating a winter wonderland in unexpected places.
In California, parts of Highway 89 through Lassen Volcanic National Park were closed after approximately 3 inches of snow fell overnight, according to the National Weather Service.Photos shared by the agency and local authorities showed snow-capped peaks, including a surprising layer of white on Mount Rainier in Washington and a dusting at Minaret Vista, a scenic viewpoint southeast of Yosemite National Park in California’s Sierra Nevada.
“It’s definitely unexpected,” said Madera County Deputy Sheriff Larry Rich, who was taken aback by the sight of snow at Minaret Vista in August. “It’s not every day you get to spend your birthday surrounded by a winter wonderland in the middle of summer. It’s a unique reminder of why I love serving in this area.”
The unseasonable cold snap also impacted Northern Nevada, where rain fell ahead of the annual Burning Man festival, forcing organizers to temporarily close the entrance gate on Saturday. The festival, known for its temporary city in the desert, was famously turned into a muddy mess last year due to torrential rains.
In addition, Mammoth Mountain, a popular California ski destination, saw snow overnight, prompting the National Weather Service to warn hikers and campers to prepare for slick roads. Northern California also experienced record rainfall in cities like Redding, Red Bluff, and Stockton, with showers continuing south of Lake Oroville.
Tioga Pass in the Sierra Nevada, which rises over 9,900 feet and serves as an eastern entryway to Yosemite, saw a rare August dusting of snow. According to forecasters, the last time August snow fell in the area was in 2003.
While the ski season is still months away, the early hint of winter was welcomed by resorts. Palisades Tahoe resort noted in a social media post, “It’s a cool and blustery August day here, as a storm that could bring our first snowfall of the season moves in this afternoon!”
Despite the precipitation, the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center warned of fire danger due to gusty winds accompanying the cold front. A flash flood watch was also issued for the burn scar of California’s largest wildfire this year, the Park Fire, which has burned over 671 square miles since it erupted in late July.
California’s wildfire season began intensely amid extreme July heat, but fire activity has recently slowed. However, the brief return of winter weather is expected to give way to summer heat once again as the cold front departs.
In California, parts of Highway 89 through Lassen Volcanic National Park were closed after approximately 3 inches of snow fell overnight, according to the National Weather Service.Photos shared by the agency and local authorities showed snow-capped peaks, including a surprising layer of white on Mount Rainier in Washington and a dusting at Minaret Vista, a scenic viewpoint southeast of Yosemite National Park in California’s Sierra Nevada.
“It’s definitely unexpected,” said Madera County Deputy Sheriff Larry Rich, who was taken aback by the sight of snow at Minaret Vista in August. “It’s not every day you get to spend your birthday surrounded by a winter wonderland in the middle of summer. It’s a unique reminder of why I love serving in this area.”
The unseasonable cold snap also impacted Northern Nevada, where rain fell ahead of the annual Burning Man festival, forcing organizers to temporarily close the entrance gate on Saturday. The festival, known for its temporary city in the desert, was famously turned into a muddy mess last year due to torrential rains.
In addition, Mammoth Mountain, a popular California ski destination, saw snow overnight, prompting the National Weather Service to warn hikers and campers to prepare for slick roads. Northern California also experienced record rainfall in cities like Redding, Red Bluff, and Stockton, with showers continuing south of Lake Oroville.
Tioga Pass in the Sierra Nevada, which rises over 9,900 feet and serves as an eastern entryway to Yosemite, saw a rare August dusting of snow. According to forecasters, the last time August snow fell in the area was in 2003.
While the ski season is still months away, the early hint of winter was welcomed by resorts. Palisades Tahoe resort noted in a social media post, “It’s a cool and blustery August day here, as a storm that could bring our first snowfall of the season moves in this afternoon!”
Despite the precipitation, the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center warned of fire danger due to gusty winds accompanying the cold front. A flash flood watch was also issued for the burn scar of California’s largest wildfire this year, the Park Fire, which has burned over 671 square miles since it erupted in late July.
California’s wildfire season began intensely amid extreme July heat, but fire activity has recently slowed. However, the brief return of winter weather is expected to give way to summer heat once again as the cold front departs.
