Summer took an unexpected turn on the West Coast as an unusually cold weather system from the Gulf of Alaska swept in on Saturday, bringing snow to mountains in California and the Pacific Northwest. The unseasonal snowfall disrupted summer activities, including the closure of parts of Highway 89 through Lassen Volcanic National Park in California.
The National Weather Service reported an estimated 3 inches of snow fell overnight, blanketing high-elevation areas like Mount Rainier in Washington and Minaret Vista, a lookout point near Yosemite National Park. Madera County Deputy Sheriff Larry Rich expressed surprise at the August snowfall at Minaret Vista, calling it a unique experience that made for a memorable birthday.
The snow wasn’t limited to California. Northern Nevada also saw rain in the lead-up to the annual Burning Man festival, prompting organizers to temporarily close the entrance gate. Last year’s festival was severely impacted by torrential rains, turning the event into a muddy mess. Meanwhile, Mammoth Mountain, a popular ski destination in California, also received snow overnight, with the National Weather Service warning hikers and campers to be prepared for slick roads.
Rain showers south of Lake Oroville in Northern California were expected to continue into the evening, according to the weather service. A dusting of snow was also reported on the crest of the Sierra Nevada around Tioga Pass, a phenomenon that hadn’t occurred in August since 2003. While the start of ski season is still months away, the early snowfall was welcomed by resorts like Palisades Tahoe, which took to social media to express excitement about the potential for the first snowfall of the season.
The “anomalous cool conditions” are expected to spread across much of the western U.S. by Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center. Despite the precipitation, forecasters issued a fire danger warning due to gusty winds accompanying the cold front. A flash flood watch was also issued for the burn scar of the Park Fire, California’s largest wildfire this year, which erupted in late July and scorched over 671 square miles. While the fire has been significantly contained, evacuation orders have been lifted, and the state’s wildfire season has calmed down, the unseasonal weather has brought a new set of challenges.
As the cold front departs, forecasts predict a rapid return of summer heat. The unexpected weather event serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the environment, especially in the face of climate change and its potential impacts on seasonal patterns. The summer snow may be a fleeting memory, but it highlights the ever-changing dynamics of our natural world.
