Unusual cold storm blankets West Coast peaks with frost, offering a taste of winter in August

Ski enthusiasts received an unexpected treat as a cold storm brought wintry conditions to West Coast mountain ranges last week, adding a touch of winter in the middle of August. This storm, originating from the Gulf of Alaska, made its way through the Pacific Northwest down to California, leaving a dusting of snow on various peaks. Mount Rainier near Seattle and Mt. Bachelor in central Oregon were among the areas that saw snowfall.

Mt. Bachelor’s communications manager, Presley Quon, expressed excitement at the sight of snowflakes in August, seeing it as a promising sign for the upcoming ski season. Even Mount Shasta in northern California was covered in snow after the storm passed, with significant amounts at higher elevations, according to the U.S. Forest Service’s Shasta Ranger Station.

Yosemite National Park’s high country in the Sierra Nevada also experienced rare August snowfall over the weekend, with meteorologist Carlos Molina noting measurements ranging from a quarter-inch to a half-inch. This event marked the first August snowfall in the area since 2003.

The uniqueness of this storm lies in its deviation from the typical path of systems moving through the Pacific Northwest. Instead of heading north, this system had enough cold air to push the hot air associated with California’s usual climate away. Mammoth Mountain resort in the Eastern Sierra saw a substantial amount of snow, although official accumulation measurements were not reported, as stated by spokesperson Emily van Greuning.