A powerful late-February storm brought blizzard warnings, cold rains, howling winds, and rare low-elevation snow to parts of southern California more accustomed to warmth and sun.
The Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9 acquired this image (top) of snow blanketing much of the San Gabriel Mountains in areas north of Los Angeles on February 26, 2023. The other image (below) shows the same area on February 10, 2023, before the storm.
High-elevation areas saw blizzard conditions and large accumulations. A ski resort at an elevation of 7,000 feet recorded nearly 8 feet (2 meters) of snow, according to National Weather Service data. At lower elevations (5,000 – 6,000 feet), Mount Wilson, Lockwood Valley, and Frazier Park saw between 1-3 feet.
Even low-elevation areas where snow is uncommon saw substantial accumulation. Two inches fell in La Crescenta (elevation 2,000 feet), a suburban community north of Los Angeles. Closer to sea level, Beverley Hills saw 6 inches of rain, and downtown Los Angeles saw 4 inches.
While the rare sight of snow delighted many people, the storm also brought disruption and damage. The Associated Press reported snarled traffic and several road closures including Interstate 5, a major highway that leads out of Los Angeles to the north. Thousands of homes lost power, and several streams flooded.
This post first appeared on NASA Earth Observatory. NASA Earth Observatory images by Lauren Dauphin, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.
Mammoth is my favorite place in the US. I’ve traveled all over the country and Mammoth still ranks number 1. My parents took us up there for the first time in 1962. It was a much different place then but we all loved it. We actually owned a cabin down the road at Crowley Lake for over 30 years. It was common for Mammoth to receive at least 30 to 40 feet of snow every year. I’ve skied Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana, and always came “home” to Mammoth. As far as Mammoth being the Spring capital, back in the 80s, one year we skied Mammoth’s upper slopes on the 4th of July. There’s no place like Mammoth. It’s a year round fun place to go. In the summer the fishing is great at one of Mammoth’s lakes as its full name implies. The scenic beauty and geological wonders cannot be beat. From the Devil’s Postpile, Rainbow Falls, and Earthquake Fault and Hot Creek, there’s always something great to appreciate. Mammoth Lakes can’t be beat.