An unexpected cold weather system from the Gulf of Alaska disrupted summer activities along the West Coast on Saturday, bringing snow to mountains in California and the Pacific Northwest. This led to the closure of a section of Highway 89 through Lassen Volcanic National Park in California after receiving about 3 inches of snow overnight, as reported by the National Weather Service.
Photos shared by the agency and local authorities displayed a layer of white snow covering Mount Rainier in Washington and a light dusting of snow at Minaret Vista, a lookout point southeast of Yosemite National Park in California’s Sierra Nevada region.
Madera County Deputy Sheriff Larry Rich expressed his surprise at the snowfall at Minaret Vista in August, stating, “It’s not every day you get to spend your birthday surrounded by a winter wonderland in the middle of summer. It made for a day I won’t soon forget, and a unique reminder of why I love serving in this area. It’s just one of those moments that makes working up here so special.”
In northern Nevada, rain showers hit the area before the annual Burning Man festival, causing the organizers to temporarily close the entrance gate on Saturday. Last year, heavy rains turned the festival grounds into a muddy mess.
Overnight snowfall was observed on Mammoth Mountain, a popular ski destination in California, with the National Weather Service advising hikers and campers to be cautious of slippery roads. Record rainfall was recorded in Redding, Red Bluff, and Stockton in Northern California on Saturday.
A light layer of snow fell overnight on the Sierra Nevada crest near Tioga Pass, marking the first August snowfall since 2003, according to forecasters. Tioga Pass, which reaches over 9,900 feet in elevation, serves as the eastern gateway to Yosemite and is typically closed for a significant part of the year due to winter snow accumulation.
Although ski season is still months away, resorts welcomed the early signs of winter. “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!” the resort shared on social media on Friday.
