The Great Californian Snowpocalypse (That Wasn't Quite So Apocalyptic)
Ah, California. Land of beaches, sunshine, and... surprising amounts of snow? That's right, folks. This past winter, Mother Nature decided to dust off her California snow globe and give it a good shake. The result? A winter wonderland that had some folks reaching for their skis instead of their surfboards.
So, how much snow are we talking about?
Enough to make a Canadian raise an eyebrow, but not enough to bury a palm tree (unless you're really bad at landscaping).
We're talking record-breaking accumulations in the Sierra Nevada mountains, with some areas boasting a staggering 62.8 feet (yes, FEET!) of snow. That's like stacking 20 school buses on top of each other... on a mountain... in California.
Let's get specific, shall we?
- Mammoth Mountain: This ski resort partied like it was 1999 (the last time they saw this much snow) with a whopping 695 inches since October. That's enough powder to launch yourself into next season with a head start.
- Bucks Lake: This poor lake got buried under 31 inches of the white stuff. Looks like they'll need a bigger pool net come summer.
But wait, there's more!
The snow wasn't just about bragging rights and epic ski trips (although, let's be honest, those were pretty awesome). This epic snowfall was a much-needed water source for the drought-stricken state. All that melted snow is like a giant California-shaped piggy bank, storing up precious H2O for the drier months.
The moral of the story?
California's got a wilder side than you might think. So next time you're packing your suitcase for a Cali getaway, throw in some snow boots – just in case. You never know when you might find yourself building a snowman on the beach (okay, maybe not the beach, but you get the idea).
