California's Sacramento (AP) — Summertime throughout the West Coast was interrupted on Saturday by an exceptionally cold weather system originating in the Gulf of Alaska. This system brought snow to mountains in California and the Pacific Northwest and resulted in the closing of a portion of a roadway that passes through a national park.
The National Weather Service said that approximately 3 inches (7.6 cm) of snow fell overnight, forcing the closure of Highway 89 through California's Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Images from the organization and local authorities showed a layer of snow on Washington's Mount Rainier and a small amount of snow at Minaret Vista, a viewing point southeast of Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada of California.
Deputy Sheriff Larry Rich of Madera County noted that Minaret Vista had snow in August was “definitely unexpected.”
It’s not every day you get to spend your birthday surrounded by a winter wonderland in the middle of summer,” he said in a statement. “It turned into a day I won’t soon forget and served as a unique reminder of why I love working in this area. It’s one of those special moments that make working here so rewarding.
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The annual Burning Man festival in northern Nevada was delayed by weather, thus the entrance gate was closed for the majority of Saturday before it was reopened by the organizers. The festival and its temporary city were already a muddy mess from the previous year's torrential rains.
Overnight, snow fell in California's Mammoth Mountain, a popular ski resort. Hikers and campers were cautioned by the National Weather Service to use caution on slick roads.
In Northern California, Redding, Red Bluff, and Stockton had record-breaking rainfall on Saturday. Showers are predicted to continue into the evening south of Lake Oroville.
A dusting of snow fell overnight on the Sierra Nevada crest around Tioga Pass, an unusual sight for August, according to forecasts, who also noted that it hadn't snowed there since 2003.
Overnight, snow fell in California's Mammoth Mountain, a popular ski resort. Hikers and campers were cautioned by the National Weather Service to use caution on slick roads.
In Northern California, Redding, Red Bluff, and Stockton had record-breaking rainfall on Saturday. Showers are predicted to continue into the evening south of Lake Oroville.
A dusting of snow fell overnight on the Sierra Nevada crest around Tioga Pass, an unusual sight for August, according to forecasts, who also noted that it hadn't snowed there since 2003.
As the eastern entry point to Yosemite, Tioga Pass rises to a height of over 9,900 feet (3,017 meters). Winter snow can cause the pass to remain closed for several months of the year.
While the ski season is still a few months away, resorts welcomed the first sign of winter.
The resort wrote on social media on Friday, "It's a cool and blustery August day here at Palisades Tahoe, as a storm that could bring our first snowfall of the season moves in this afternoon!"
"Anomalous cool conditions" are predicted to sweep throughout much of the western United States by Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland.
While the ski season is still a few months away, resorts welcomed the first sign of winter.
The resort wrote on social media on Friday, "It's a cool and blustery August day here at Palisades Tahoe, as a storm that could bring our first snowfall of the season moves in this afternoon!"
"Anomalous cool conditions" are predicted to sweep throughout much of the western United States by Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland.
Forecasters warned of the possibility of fire owing to high winds connected with the cold front, even though precipitation is expected.
In addition, from Friday morning through Saturday morning, a flash flood watch was in effect for the burn scar caused by the year's biggest wildfire in California. More than 671 square miles (1,748 square kilometers) have been destroyed by the Park Fire, which started in late July close to Chico and moved up the western slope of the Sierra.
In addition, from Friday morning through Saturday morning, a flash flood watch was in effect for the burn scar caused by the year's biggest wildfire in California. More than 671 square miles (1,748 square kilometers) have been destroyed by the Park Fire, which started in late July close to Chico and moved up the western slope of the Sierra.
The fire rose to become the fourth-largest on record in California, but it has now significantly subsided. Within its current boundaries, vegetated islands are still on fire, but evacuation orders have been revoked.
Due to the severe heat of July, the state's wildfire season got off to a strong start. The dried-out foliage that sprouted during consecutive wet years provided food for blazes. There has been a noticeable slowdown in fire activity lately.
As the cold front moves out, forecasts indicate that summer heat will quickly return.
Due to the severe heat of July, the state's wildfire season got off to a strong start. The dried-out foliage that sprouted during consecutive wet years provided food for blazes. There has been a noticeable slowdown in fire activity lately.
As the cold front moves out, forecasts indicate that summer heat will quickly return.