Frosty Surprise in Sierra Nevada: Snow in August!

In a bizarre twist straight out of a Twilight Zone episode, cold temperatures dropped by the Sierra Nevada mountains in California this weekend, leaving behind a dusting of snow! Officials were left scratching their heads, but hey, at least it made for some great snowball fights in August.

The middle and higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada saw snowfall from Friday night into Saturday, according to Elizabeth Danco, a meteorologist with AccuWeather, who emailed USA TODAY. Highway 89, which runs through Lassen Volcanic National Park, had to shut down due to what meteorologists like to call "snow chaos."

National Weather Service estimates about 3 inches of snow fell, which is just enough to make a few tiny snowmen or have a miniature snowball fight. Thankfully, despite the chill, the west slope of the Sierra Nevada is expected to bounce back with highs of 58 to 73 degrees at higher elevations and 71 to 81 degrees at lower elevations on Sunday. Get your sunscreen ready, folks!

Deputy Captures Snowfall on Camera

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

One brave deputy recorded the unusual snowfall in Eastern Madera County, just 33 miles north of Fresno, and shared it on the sheriff's office's Facebook page. The office warned anyone planning to drive through or visit the Minaret Vista area to be careful and "be prepared for the chilly weather." Time to break out those fluffy coats and ugly Christmas sweaters!

Why the Snow in August?

A cold system from the Gulf of Alaska brought this early wintery surprise to the West Coast, reports ABC 10.

First, Washington state's Mount Rainier was hit with snow, and then California got its dusting on Saturday. Who needs a climate predictor when you have the unpredictable Sierra Nevada?

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY, covering everything from local businesses and government in Miami to tech and pop culture. Connect with her on LinkedIn or follow her on X, formerly Twitter , Instagram and TikTok : @juliamariegz