Southern California Got More Snow Last Week Than They Usually Receive in a Year
Big Bear Mountain—home to one of Southern California’s premiere ski resorts tucked in the San Bernardino National Forest—received more snowfall this week than it normally receives in a year, according to a spokesperson for the resort.
During the week, snowfall exceeded more than 100 inches—the retreat’s yearly average—resort spokesman Justin Kern told The Epoch Times on Friday.
“We’ve passed that mark this week,” He said.
This sudden deluge occurs as Southern California experiences its first blizzard warning in nearly 20 years. It began Feb. 23 for most of the state. Residents have been warned by officials and resort staff not to climb the mountain until after the weekend.
The resort was open Friday through Friday, but it was closed at night.
Kern indicated that certain roads up the mountain, such as State Route 330 are closed. The resort advised people not to travel until the storm clears.
“Our primary concern is just making sure that people are traveling to and from the mountain safely,” Kern spoke. “This is not the time to start learning how to drive in the snow.”
Kern stated that all vehicles must have chains, even snow tires and four-wheel drives.
Meanwhile, on the mountain—which is projected to get up to 8 feet of snow from this storm—those who already had reservations in the town’s lodges could be seen snowboarding and skiing on Friday. The resort is monitoring strong winds that could cause lift closures.
The Bear Valley Unified Schools District also cancelled classes on Thursday and Friday. “snow days,” Because of hazardous driving conditions.
A rare storm
The unexpected snowfall comes as mountains in several counties—Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, and Santa Barbara—all fell under blizzard warnings on Thursday. These mountains were warned by the National Weather Service. “heavy snow, winds gusting up to 80 mph, and near zero visibility.”
Andrew Orrison, National Weather Service meteorologist said there was a “unique combination” What’s causing this winter phenomenon in Southern California?
“It’s a combination of it being a very cold storm and it’s slow-moving, and because of it being slow-moving, it has time to bring in a lot of moisture from the Pacific Ocean,” Orrison stated this to The Epoch Times. “And the persistence of that feed of moisture off the Pacific Ocean coupled with the fact that this is a very cold system is really what’s driving the very heavy snowfall totals.”
Orrison stated that the impacts of the storm are worrying for forecasters as the resulting snowstorm conditions could be dangerous and cause power outages.
He said that while the blizzard warning should be lifted by Saturday, it is possible for it to be extended due to heavy snowfalls and strong winds. “near hurricane force.”
“It definitely is an extreme event, because of the way this has come together,” He said.
Vineland Avenue, North Hollywood, adjacent to Hollywood Burbank Airport, was submerged on Friday afternoon, trapping at most five cars. Flash flood warnings were issued in the inland Los Angeles and Ventura Counties for Friday at 10 p.m. Weather experts had warned earlier this week that flooding was likely.
“As a reminder, if you see flooded roads, TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN! You can’t tell how deep the water is and you (and your vehicle) can be swept away,” The National Weather Service of Los Angeles wrote the following: Twitter Friday.
Orrison said this storm system—what he calls an atmospheric disturbance—is different from typical winter storms in California, which are often associated with so-called atmospheric rivers. This system is colder than those storms and came from the north, not unlike other storms. This has led to snowfall at lower elevations as well as in some valleys, including those near the Pacific Coast.
A popular state landmark located at a lower elevation, with light snowfall yesterday afternoon, was the 45-foot Hollywood sign. It is situated at 1,600 feet on Mount Lee in Santa Monica Mountains.
According to Jeff Zarrinnam, chairman of Hollywood Sign Trust, it was an unusual sight to witness.
“I was surprised,” Zarrinnam stated. “I walked outside my door yesterday and I see snow on the ground, and I said, ‘Well, I’d better make a snowball and take a picture with the sign because that never happens.'”
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