It has been an absolutely crazy summer for Californians.
They endured record heatwaves, epic wildfires, and now, wait for iota snowstorm in August!
On Saturday morning, in an odd turn, even for the summer sunbaker that is normally the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, snow was reported. For the first time since 2000, California reported snowfall in the month of August. Minaret Vista, a scenic area southeast of Yosemite National Park, even saw snow.
Madera County deputy sheriff Larry Rich said he was so taken aback by the sight of snow on his birthday that it, somewhat ironically given its novelty to when and where they were born, formed memories for both of them. Sonseeahray Tonsall The Madera County Sheriff’s Office tweeted a video of the snow, telling people to drive carefully and “prepare for cold weather if you plan on visiting our local mountains!”
Snow in August is extremely rare and hasn’t happened for at least several years, a National Weather Service meteorologist told NPR. Some snow was reported at Mammoth Mountain and Palisades Tahoe ski resorts as well. Officials at Mammoth Mountain even posted pictures on social media.
A light coating of snow—as little as
The storm also set rainfall records in cities like Redding, Red Bluff, and Stockton. Winds, gusting at times up to 35 mph or more, threatened to make them all the worse as they blow through areas that have been burned over in one spate of wildfires striking northern California after another.
The Park Fire, which ignited in late July, charred over 420,000 acres, making it the fourth largest wildfire on record for California. It is now 78% contained, but officials say some spots inside the fire line are still burning.
