It turns out that this Snow on Mt. Palomar, back on December 9, 2007, was nothin’.
But you couldn’t have told me that three days ago, when our high temperature was about 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and I was certain spring had sprung with a summery vengeance. I almost tucked away my warm clothes and pulled out my summer shorts.
There was no more snow on Mt. Palomar. It had all melted since around Feb 5th, when the mountain didn’t boast nearly as much snow as in early December. I did get a nice view of the entire mountain with snow on it, from our polling place on the 5th. But I didn’t have my camera with me, so this view was from our yard. As you can see, it wasn’t as much as in December.
FEB 5
And like I said, by three days ago that was gone, melted. History.
But I’m glad I never got around to putting away my sweaters, because yesterday I don’t think the outside temperature ever rose above 50 degrees, and although the forecast had called for a light drizzle overnight, instead we got dark, threatening skies, cold wind, and steady rain for several hours yesterday.
I was sure that once the clouds parted there would be a fresh layer of snow on the mountains. But when they did, I couldn’t believe what I saw. Here’s our view just as the clouds lifted yesterday afternoon.
CLOUDS LIFTING
Below shows our view from our side yard at just around sunset yesterday, when the snow reflected the setting sun.
SUNSET
We can only see the lower, southern peak from our side yard, and that’s possible only in the past few months since we removed some obstacles. Below is a view of the entire mountain, from the vacant lot two houses down the hill, this morning. I’ve circled the portion visible from our yard in the second view below.
ENTIRE MT. PALOMAR VIEWED FROM DOWN THE HILL
ENTIRE MTN WITH SOUTH PEAK VISIBLE FROM OUR YARD CIRCLED
I don’t mind a little warm weather, and I don’t mind a little cold or rain. We can always use more rain around here, and snow is beautiful from a distance, but this snow looks more like Washington, Idaho, or Sierra snow than Southern California snow. Okay, maybe it’s like Big Bear snow. But it’s not normal San Diego County snow. We had roads close near Campo yesterday, which is near the Mexican border! Is it possible the entire region shifted north and we didn’t know it? It’s confusing, and I guess it’s time to dress in layers for a few weeks.
What the news people have to say:
A wintry surprise for area: Snow, sleet, hail, rain turn nice weather upside down
‘Slider’ brings rain around county, snow in moutains.
See what happens around here when it snows? People get stranded, roads close. Just a little snow can set us upside down and sideways. It’s not supposed to snow here.
But it sure looks pretty.
MORE PICS
1.
Distant mountains is where snow looks best to me! We do have some mountains around here to look at but none like those. I was interested in the snow news items. Around northeast PA we don’t have any 4,500 foot elevations, but the Poconos, at over 2,000 feet, do get more snow than lower elevations and often will get snow when the valleys get rain. Unfortunately in these parts the snow comes all the way down to the lowest elevations most of the time. Presumably some folks live up where you sometimes get snow? I think if I lived in a place where it only snowed in the mountains I wouldn’t live in the mountains!
Comment by Eric Mayer — February 15, 2008 @ 12:58 pm
2.
Eric — One of the news articles mentioned, “Flakes were reported in the San Pasqual Valley near Escondido, where the elevation is less than 600 feet.”
Now that’s close to home. We’re about 25 miles north of there, and the elevation at our house is around 700 feet. It’s even possible we got a few flakes here and just didn’t notice because they melted right away. Here’s some history of Snow fall in Fallbrook.
People do live in our local mountains. Most of the highest points are camping and hiking areas, and of course Mt. Palomar has the observatory. There’s a town called Julian, which is probably the highest elevation town with a significant population, near Mt. Laguna. Julian has an apple festival every year. The Potrero Valley, where my grandmother grew up, is at about 2300 feet, and I’d be surprised if they didn’t get some snow out of this storm. That’s very near Campo, where a road closure occurred.
Comment by Barbara — February 15, 2008 @ 1:20 pm
3.
Key is, have anything ready to wear.
Comment by Creechman — February 15, 2008 @ 2:52 pm
4.
We had a light dusting the other day – just the right amount to wield magic. And then it melted as if on cue.
Great pics, Barbara. Wasn’t too long ago that I was enjoying the same one. Now I live *in* a view on Monteagle Mountain, TN.
Comment by Reenie — February 16, 2008 @ 8:03 am
5.
Barbara, I love the pictures. I, too, was convinced that winter was on its way out and was contemplating packing away the turtlenecks and sweaters. And then…. My poor lemon tree and the roses and soooo confused. The warm weather inspired them to new foliage, and now they are waving at me reproachfully, asking what happened to the sun.
Comment by Sarah — February 22, 2008 @ 1:06 pm
6.
anabnan
Comment by alana — February 26, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
7.
What terrific photos, Barbara…looks like some pretty heavy duty snow to me. How strange weather has been for awhile.
Hope you’re back to warm weather by now!
Comment by Marion — March 7, 2008 @ 7:32 pm
8.
Marion, yes, it’s much warmer now. We have bouts of warm weather interspersed with cool weather all winter long, here.
That last batch of snow had all melted within two or three days. There’s no snow on Mt. Palomar now, and I don’t expect any more. But we saw some snow still on the tops of the higher San Bernardino Mountains in the distance, when we drove north to shop a few days ago.
Comment by Barbara — March 8, 2008 @ 6:37 pm