California predicts snow in August for the first time in 20 years
Kyiv • UNN
Unusual August snow is expected in the highlands of the Sierra Nevada in California. This is the first such occurrence in 20 years, which may cause icy roads and poor visibility.
In the United States, the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Hanford, California, has warned of unusual weather that will bring snow to the Sierra Nevada this weekend, UNN reports, citing Newsweek.
Details
The forecast comes as states across the Midwest, Northeast and Pacific Northwest in the United States are expecting daytime highs typically associated with fall weather, as a cold front brings a temporary respite from the summer heat. In some places, temperatures will be below average for this time of year. In addition to the cold front, a storm system is moving from the northwest toward California, bringing the threat of August snowfall.
NWS meteorologist Dan Garty told Newsweek that California will experience below-average temperatures. In some high mountain areas of the state, the weekend storm could bring snow - the first August snow recorded in the high Sierra Nevada in at least 20 years, according to the NWS office in Hanford. Normally, regular snowfall begins in late October.
"An unusually early, cold storm, even for the High Sierra at 8,000 feet (2,438.4 m - ed.). August snow has not fallen in these areas in at least 20 years," the NWS Hanford office wrote in X. "Although small amounts, motorists and hikers should be aware of this forecast.
The office included a graphic in the post showing the probability of 24-hour snowfall exceeding half an inch (1.27 cm). On Saturday morning, the probability is between 10 and 25 percent, and by Saturday evening it will jump to 40 percent. There may also be a risk of snow on Sunday morning. The NWS reported that the highest probability of snowfall will be in the highlands of Yosemite National Park.
The snowfall could cause icy conditions on Tioga Road before it melts, the NWS Hanford office warned, and visibility may be significantly reduced due to the bad weather. The post advised motorists to change their travel plans if necessary in areas affected by the weather and to be prepared for "wintry conditions.
However, Garty told Newsweek that the snow would be short-lived, as above-normal temperatures are expected to return to California next week.
Meanwhile, other US states are facing dangerously hot conditions, with heat warnings and excessive heat advisories expected to remain in place across Texas throughout the week. Temperatures soared above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (nearly 37.8 degrees Celsius), threatening to break daily records.
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