California dusted by earlier-than-usual snow in August for the first time in 20 years - Watch
A combo photo of flowers capped by snow and a snowy mountain in California
Winter seems to have come to California a bit too early. An unusual dusting of snow was witnessed in the usually sunny west American state in the middle of summer, a first in 20 years.
This is the first snowflakes of the year for the state's mountains. The High Sierra in Yoesmite saw its earliest snowfall in over 20 years over the weekend. Snow dusted other peaks like Mount Shasta too.
Yosemite has not seen August snow for at least 20 years, as per the National Weather Service, which described the situation as “anomalous cool conditions” in much of the western US.
Watch: UNDP's future weather forecast hopes to drive climate action
Temperatures in some places fell by 15 degrees Fahrenheit below normal. The weekend temperature was around 22 degrees and mostly cloudy but gradually recovered.
)
Xi Jinping's new AI bloc: China launches 'World AI Body' with Pakistan and Russia in, India out
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the S-400 uses solid rocket fuel instead of liquid fuel
)
Explained: Why Rodri won the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball over Lionel Messi
)
Japan is selling a refrigerator to cool the human body for Rs 9 lakh. It is already a hit in Tokyo
)
Lip reader reveals what Donald Trump told every Spain and Argentina player after FIFA World Cup final during medal ceremony
)
Sonam Wangchuk's connection with George Soros and Ford Foundation explained!
)
'There is no need for...': PM Modi takes a veiled dig at Rahul Gandhi, sends big message amid Parliament March
)
FACT CHECK: Was Abhijit Dipke detained during CJP's Parliament march? Here's what police say
)
UP BTech gold medalist dies by suicide after failing in nearly 50 govt job attempts, leaves note for father
)
Jail over Khamenei post: J&K youth returns home after 3 months in Saudi custody
)
'Now come to us': CJP resumes protest after Parliament march violence, calls meeting with Nadda 'waste of time'
)
Salman Khan breaks silence on health concerns after viral Mumbai appearance
)
'George Soros playbook': Understanding the foreign funding network around Sonam Wangchuk
)
Indus treaty can no longer function in its current form, says India; plans 5,500 mw of new J&K hydro projects
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (July 20-26, 2026): Musafir Cafe, Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya, 72 Hours- 5 new titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
2026 FIFA World Cup awards: Full list of Golden Boot, Golden Ball, Golden Glove and every major winner
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
FIFA World Cup 2026 team of the tournament: The best XI that ruled football’s biggest stage
)
'What is wrong...': Anna Hazare breaks silence on Sonam Wangchuk's protest, makes an appeal to Centre
)
Truck loaded with stones, metro stations closed: What's happening at Jantar Mantar now
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why US fighter jets use seamless bubble canopies compared to Russian jets
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the F-22’s cockpit glass is thicker than a standard fighter jet
)
Student union leaders call off hunger strike at Jantar Mantar after civil society appeal, but protest continues
)
'Guru is the...': Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan shares message on education amid calls for his resignation
)
'We acted immediately...': Indian PM Modi breaks silence on paper leaks as NEET protest, calls for Education Minister's resignation grows
Social media users posted videos of snow capping the Sierra Nevada mountain range on Saturday (Aug 24).
Mount Shasta in the north of the Golden State saw 15 inches of snow, which is unusual for this time of the year.
But it could be a 'very late snowfall'
Gary Lazak, who runs weather2020.com, said this could be a very late snowfall, a sort of residue from the last winter.
"While it may seem like an early snowfall, it's actually a continuation of the weather pattern established last October...and thus a very late snowfall, and not an early snowfall," he posted on X.
Also read: US: Severe storms sweep across central and eastern regions
"This event is linked to the part of the cycling weather pattern that occurred and produced snow in previous cycles during the winter and spring, particularly in mid-January. We're still cycling through the same pattern set last fall," he added.
Nevertheless, the snow in August was definitely unexpected atMinaret Vista, a lookout point south-east of Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada, said Madera County Deputy Sheriff Larry Rich.
“It’s not every day you get to spend your birthday surrounded by a winter wonderland in the middle of summer. It made for a day I won’t soon forget...It’s just one of those moments that makes working up here so special,” Rich said in a statement.
Snow also fell at Mammoth Mountain and Palisades Tahoe ski resorts.
“This morning was chill. Take a look at the dusting of new snow on the mid and upper-mountain,” Mammoth Mountain staff posted on social media.
About three inches of snow fell in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
The early arrival of snow is a bit of a relief for Californians, who have witnessed heat waves and wildfires this summer season.
(With inputs from agencies)
