Record-breaking storm brings snow to San Diego, coldest May day on record

Heavy rain and snow are now tapering off in Southern California after an unseasonably strong spring storm hit the region on Sunday, May 7, 2017. The storm set numerous records across the region, NWS San Diego said.

The system formed off the Pacific Northwest and moved down the California coast, bringing significant rain to Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties before reaching San Diego area around 19:00 PDT on Saturday, May 6. The storm continued throughout most of May 7, with the heaviest rain across inland valleys and foothills.

NWS San Diego said May 7 was the coldest day on record for any day in May for several stations in San Diego County, based on the lowest maximum temperature. Interestingly, San Diego's high of 15 °C (59 °F) was merely the 12^th lowest daily maximum temperature in May. However, it was the coolest May day in 64 years, since May 15, 1953, when the high was 14.4 °C (58 °F).

Palomar Mountain recorded 15.2 cm (6 inches) of snow, breaking the previous record of 6.3 cm (2.5 inches) set in 1964. The measurements go back as far as 1901.

At least 6 stations recorded new precipitation records. Vista recorded 20.3 mm (0.80 inches,) breaking the old record of 10.2 mm (0.40 inches) set in 2013. Chila Vista also measured 20.3 mm (0.80 inches), breaking the old record of 8.6 mm (0.34 inches) set in 2013. Alpine registered 22 mm (0.87 inches), breaking the previous record of 7.8 mm (0.31 inches) set in 2013. El Cajon registered 22.8 mm (0.90 inches), breaking the previous record of 5.8 mm (0.23 inches) also set in 2013. Palomar Mountain station registered 16 mm (0.63 inches), breaking the previous record of 15.7 mm (0.62 inches) set in 1964, while Campo station measured 15.5 mm (0.61 inches), breaking the previous record of 5.6 mm (0.22 inches) set in 1956.

"This is basically a winter storm that happens to be occurring in May," NWS said. "There’s snow in the mountains, rain everywhere else, and cold air."

The weather system produced a photogenic landspout in Victorville-Apple area, northeast of Los Angeles. The phenomenon did not cause any damage or injuries.

On the same day, MTV Movie and TV Awards in Los Angeles came to an abrupt halt when what media described as 'freak hailstorm' caused the pre-show event to be canceled.

Due to bad weather, the San Diego Padres vs Los Angeles Dodgers series finale at Petco Park was postponed. It was the first rainout at Petco Park since July 19, 2015, a span of 134 games. Prior to the 2015 rainout, there had been 820 games played at Petco Park since the previous rainout, on April 4, 2006.

Featured image credit: Times of San Diego