Californians have been facing a series of extreme weather events this summer, including heatwaves and wildfires, but now they are experiencing an unusual phenomenon – snow in August. The Sierra Nevada mountain range in California received a rare dusting of snow on Saturday, the first time this has happened in over 20 years. The unexpected snowfall surprised locals, with one deputy sheriff describing it as a “winter wonderland in the middle of summer.” Despite the unusual weather, visitors are being urged to drive carefully and be prepared for chilly conditions in the area.
The National Weather Service reported that Yosemite had not seen snow in August for at least two decades. Other areas, including Mammoth Mountain and Palisades Tahoe ski resorts, also experienced snowfall. The weather service noted that while some areas received about 3 inches of snow, most places only saw a dusting before temperatures returned to normal the following day.
The rare summer snowstorm led to record rainfall in some parts of northern California, with cooler temperatures spreading across the western US. However, forecasters also warned of fire danger due to gusty winds associated with the cold front. A flash flood watch was issued for the burn scar of the Park fire, the state’s fourth-largest wildfire on record, which has been mostly contained. Evacuation orders have been lifted, but isolated pockets of vegetation are still burning within the fire perimeter. Despite the challenges presented by these extreme weather events, Californians are resilient and are adapting to the changing conditions.
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