Historic winter storm hits California: record-breaking cold and snow in Bay Area, rare blizzard warning issued
A historic winter storm is currently affecting parts of California, particularly the San Francisco Bay area, where a 132-year-old daily temperature record was broken on Friday, February 24, 2023. In addition, a rare blizzard warning is in effect for the mountains of Los Angeles, Ventura, and San Bernardino. This is only the second such warning on record for the mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties and the first for San Bernardino County’s peaks.
The temperature in San Francisco dipped down to 3.9 °C (39 °F), setting the record for the coldest-ever temperature recorded on February 24. The previous record was set on February 24, 1891, when San Francisco recorded 4.4 °C (40 °F).
3.9 °C (39 °F) recorded in San Francisco today was also its coldest temperature recorded since January 6, 2017.
This was the third day in a row that San Francisco set some kind of daily minimum or maximum temperature record, with temperatures staying below 10°C (50°F) all three days, which is “very unusual” for this time of year, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Jeff Lorber.
On February 23, San Francisco saw a record daily maximum temperature of 9.4 °C (49 °F), breaking the previous record of 10 °C (50 °F) set in 1890 and 1969, while on February 22 it set a record daily maximum temperature of 8.9 °C (48 °F), breaking the previous record of 9.4 °C (49 °F) set in 1880.
In addition to unusually cold temperatures, residents across the Central Coast and North Bay awoke to rare snow.
Lower elevations in the North Bay, East Bay, and Central Coast hills all saw between 2.5 and 7.6 cm (1 and 3 inches) of snow, according to the weather agency’s preliminary snowfall totals.
The Santa Cruz Mountains saw some of the highest totals so far, at an estimated 25.4 to 30.5 cm (10 to 12 inches) about 762 meters (2 500 feet) and 2.5 to 7.6 cm (1 to 3 inches) down to about 213 meters (700 feet).
Snow totals from Thursday night’s showers are still being tallied, but the agency reported 2.5 to 7.6 cm (1 to 3 inches) of snow in the North Bay as low as 76 meters (250 feet) in elevation, 2.5 to 5.1 cm (1 to 2 inches) on Mount Tam, and 12.7 to 15.2 cm (5 to 6 inches) above 1 524 meters (5 000 feet) near Cloverdale. In the East Bay, 5.1 to 7.6 cm (2 to 3 inches) fell in the Berkeley Hills near Mount Diablo.
The weather caused extremely dangerous traffic conditions, and forced the closure of Highway 17 from Granite Creek Road to Bear Creek Road, Highway 152 at Pole Line Road, both directions of Interstate-5 from north of Castaic to Lebec, both directions of Interstate 80 from Colfax towards Tahoe to the Nevada state line, among others.
The National Weather Service has issued rare blizzard warnings for the mountains of Los Angeles, Ventura, and San Bernardino counties on February 24, lasting through 16:00 LT on February 25, warning of heavy snow, high winds, and limited visibility.
This is only the second such warning on record for the mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties and the first for San Bernardino County’s peaks.
In response to the potential for flooding and debris flows due to heavy rain and snow, an evacuation warning was issued in portions of Ventura County until 10:00 LT on February 25.
Officials are urging residents to take all necessary precautions and stay informed as this unprecedented winter storm continues to cause hazardous conditions throughout the region.
References:
1 San Francisco breaks a 132-year-old record during winter storm. Here’s how cold it got – San Francisco Chronicle – February 24, 2023
2 Bay Area sees historic snowfall during winter storm. Here’s where the unusual weather landed – San Francisco Chronicle – February 24, 2023
3 Los Angeles sees first blizzard warning since 1989 – BBC – February 24, 2023
Featured image credit: PG&E (stillshot)
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