California is known for its sunny beaches and warm, Mediterranean climate, suggesting snow is rare. This is true for most populated low-lying areas, where snowfall is a rare event. However, the state’s massive mountain ranges receive significant annual snowfall. When cold air and moisture align, snow can fall at surprisingly low elevations, which captures public attention.
The Most Recent Statewide Low-Elevation Snow Event
The most recent widespread low-elevation snow event occurred in late February 2023. This storm brought snow to areas that typically see only rain across the foothills and mountain passes of Southern and Northern California. The cold air mass dropped snow levels to between 500 and 1,000 feet in many regions, with some reports as low as 200 to 400 feet in the North Bay near Cloverdale.
This resulted in a rare blizzard warning for the mountains of Los Angeles, Ventura, and San Bernardino counties, marking the first such warning by the Los Angeles office since 1989. Foothill towns in the Inland Empire and parts of Los Angeles County below 1,500 feet saw light to moderate accumulation. This widespread coverage had not been seen since January 1949. The Grapevine section of Interstate 5, a major trucking artery, was shut down for days due to the conditions.
Geographic Differences in California Snowfall
Snow frequency varies dramatically due to California’s diverse geography. Snowfall is an annual occurrence in the high-elevation mountain ranges, particularly the Sierra Nevada. The Sierra Nevada acts as a massive barrier, forcing moist air from the Pacific Ocean to rise, cool, and drop precipitation, which results in heavy, predictable snowpacks, especially above 6,000 feet.
In contrast, coastal cities and the low-lying Central Valley rarely see snow. The Central Valley is situated between the Coast Ranges and the Sierra Nevada and is shielded from Pacific moisture by the coastal mountains, contributing to a drier climate. The Pacific Ocean’s moderating effect keeps coastal temperatures mild, making the freezing conditions necessary for snowfall infrequent near sea level.
Notable Historical Snow Events in Major Cities
While the February 2023 storm was the most recent widespread event, history records unusual snowfalls in major metropolitan centers. The largest official snowstorm in Los Angeles history occurred on January 19-20, 1949, when intense cold waves swept across the western United States. This event saw accumulation in foothill communities like Monterey Park, which sits at about 750 feet elevation.
Snow in downtown San Francisco is a historical anomaly. The city’s greatest recorded snowfall was 3.7 inches on February 5, 1887.
Accumulating snow was last reported on February 7, 1976, when downtown saw one inch, with up to five inches falling on the higher peaks of Twin Peaks. Trace amounts or brief flurries have occurred since then in the Los Angeles basin, such as in 2007. However, measurable accumulation in the largest, lowest-elevation cities remains extremely rare.