California Dreaming of a White (and Very Snowy) Christmas...and February...and March...
California, the land of sunshine, beaches, and...wait for it...epic snowfall? That's right, folks! Forget the Hollywood stereotypes, because this year Mother Nature decided to turn California into a winter wonderland.
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow...A LOT
We're talking record-breaking amounts of snow. Mammoth Mountain, a ski resort nestled in the Sierra Nevadas, saw a whopping 695 inches of snowfall this season, shattering the previous record of 668 inches set in 2010. That's almost 58 feet of snow!
Imagine the poor resort staff - they probably needed shovels the size of surfboards to keep up.
The Great Blizzard of...March?
While California usually boasts balmy winters, this year we saw snowstorms rolling in one after another. March brought the grand finale, a whopper of a storm that dumped more snow on the mountains and caused mayhem (and some pretty epic snowball fights) on lower elevations.
Suddenly, Californians who spend their lives dodging rogue flip-flops were braving blizzards. News reports were filled with images of palm trees dusted with snowflakes - a sight that would make even the chillest snowman do a double take.
So, How Much Snow Did California Get? Enough to Make a Polar Bear Blush
Snowfall totals varied depending on location, but some areas saw 700% of their average snowfall. That's enough to bury a house (or a small chihuahua).
The Sierra Nevada mountains were the epicenter of the snowy madness, with some resorts boasting a base exceeding 20 feet. Skiers and snowboarders rejoiced, while the rest of us watched in amusement (and maybe a tinge of jealousy) from our (relatively) snow-free backyards.
A Winter Wonderland with a California Twist
Sure, California's snow season was epic, but it wouldn't be California without a twist. Here's a glimpse of what winter looked like in the Golden State:
- Sunbathers on the beach with snow-capped mountains as a backdrop.
- Surfers braving the waves in wetsuits...and parkas.
- Palm trees strung with Christmas lights (because, hey, why not?).
California's record-breaking snowfall was a sight to behold, a reminder that even the sunniest state can get a surprise winter wonderland moment. And who knows, maybe next year we'll be building sandcastles next to snowmen!
