Rare August Snow Hits Sierra Nevada Mountains

Cold temperatures brought unusual snowfall to the Sierra Nevada mountains in California this weekend, according to officials.

The middle and higher elevations of Sierra Nevada saw snowfall from Friday night into Saturday, Elizabeth Danco, a meteorologist with AccuWeather, told USA TODAY in an email. On Saturday, portions of Highway 89, which runs through Lassen Volcanic National Park, were closed due to sporadic snow.

The National Weather Service estimates around 3 inches of snow fell in the area.

Despite the chill, the west slope of the Sierra Nevada will see a high of 58 to 73 degrees at higher elevations and 71 to 81 degrees at lower elevations on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

Deputy Records Unusual Snowfall

"While it’s rare to see snow this time of year, it’s a reminder of the unpredictable nature of our beautiful Sierra Nevada," stated a post on the Madera County Sheriff's Office's Facebook page on Saturday.

A deputy took a video of the snow in Eastern Madera County, which is 33 miles north of Fresno, California, on Saturday and posted it on the sheriff's office's Facebook page.

The sheriff's office asked anyone planning to drive through or visit the area of Minaret Vista to be careful and "be prepared for the chilly weather."

Why Was It Snowing in August?

A cold system from the Gulf of Alaska brought the chilly weather to the West Coast, reports ABC 10.

First, Washington state's Mount Rainier received snow, and then California saw a dusting of snow on Saturday.

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered various topics, from local businesses and government in her hometown, Miami, to tech and pop culture. You can connect with her on LinkedIn or follow her on X, formerly Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz