Truckee, California – A surprising spring storm swept through the San Francisco Bay area and Northern California mountains over the weekend, setting a new single-day snowfall record for the season in the Sierra Nevada on Sunday. Although the wet weather system had mostly passed by Sunday morning, authorities cautioned that roads would remain slippery following approximately two feet (60 centimeters) of snowfall in certain Sierra areas.
“Who would have predicted the snowiest day of the 2023/2024 season to be in May?” remarked the University of California, Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab on social media platform X. The 26.4 inches (67 centimeters) of snowfall on Sunday surpassed the second snowiest day of the season on March 3rd by 2.6 inches (6.6 centimeters), as reported by the lab.
The storm caused hazardous driving conditions on Saturday, leading to the closure of several highways near Lake Tahoe, including Interstate 80 over the Donner Summit. Meanwhile, flood advisories were issued for parts of the Bay Area, where up to an inch (2.5 centimeters) of rain fell and temperatures dropped to the low 40s (around 5 degrees Celsius), according to the National Weather Service. Wind gusts of up to 40 mph (64 kph) were recorded near San Francisco on Saturday.
In Southern California, the storm brought light rain and gusty winds. However, drier and warmer conditions were anticipated in the upcoming week, providing relief from the sudden burst of wintry weather.
The unexpected snowfall in May added an interesting twist to the end of the ski season in the Sierra Nevada, delighting winter sports enthusiasts who were eager to extend their time on the slopes. Despite the challenges posed by the storm, the region’s residents and visitors alike marveled at the beauty of a late-season winter wonderland. The event also served as a reminder of nature’s unpredictability, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of those living in regions prone to diverse weather patterns.