Unusual Weather Disrupts Summer with Snow in West Coast Mountains

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. — A sudden cold weather system from the Gulf of Alaska swept across the West Coast on Saturday, surprising many with an unexpected snowfall. The weather event impacted several areas, including Mount Rainier in Washington state and Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California, where parts of Highway 89 were closed due to the snow.

According to the National Park Service, the snow led to the highway’s closure, marking a rare occurrence of such weather in August. Images shared by the National Weather Service and local officials revealed a snowy peak at Mount Rainier and a light dusting at Minaret Vista, a lookout point situated southeast of Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada region.

Madera County Deputy Sheriff Larry Rich remarked on the surprise of seeing snow at Minaret Vista during the summer months. He shared that it was a memorable birthday experience to witness a winter wonderland amidst warm months, highlighting the unique nature of working in that area.

Additionally, Mammoth Mountain, a well-known ski destination in California, experienced fresh snowfall overnight. Authorities urged hikers and campers to be cautious and prepare for slick road conditions due to the weather. More light snow is expected in California, particularly around the Sierra Nevada crest and areas near Tioga Pass, as indicated by the National Weather Service.

Forecasters noted that snowfall in August had not been recorded in these regions since 2003. Tioga Pass, which reaches over 9,900 feet (3,017 meters), is the eastern entryway to Yosemite, typically closed during much of the winter, requiring one to two months for snow removal.

The National Weather Service cautioned campers and hikers to be mindful of possible slick conditions near Tioga Pass, advising preparation for winter weather despite the short-lived nature of the snowfall.

Although the ski season is still several months away, resorts welcomed the taste of winter. At Palisades Tahoe, for instance, a social media post boasted of a cool and breezy August day and mentioned an impending storm that might deliver the area’s first snowfall of the season.

By Sunday morning, the “unusual cool conditions” were anticipated to extend across much of the western United States. However, forecasters also cautioned about fire dangers due to the gusty winds accompanying the cold front.

Simultaneously, a flash flood watch was issued for areas affected by California’s largest wildfire of the year, which occurred from Friday morning through Saturday morning. The Park Fire has consumed over 671 square miles (1,748 square kilometers) since erupting near Chico, climbing the western slope of the Sierra. Despite recent efforts that have significantly reduced its intensity, firefighters are continuing to manage areas within the fire’s perimeter where vegetation remains at risk.

California’s wildfire season began with extreme heat in July, causing dry vegetation from previous years to ignite easily. Recently, fire activity has lessened, but forecasts suggest a swift return of summer heat as the cold front moves out of the region.