Snowfall in the Bay Area Peaks Due to Recent Chilly Storm System

The Bay Area has experienced light snowfall on high peaks due to a cold storm system. Notable sites include Mount Diablo and Mount Hamilton, with models predicting up to 5 inches of snow in certain areas. Travelers are advised to be cautious in mountainous regions, as more rain is expected in the following days, but risks are minimal.

Recent weather patterns in the Bay Area have introduced a cold front that has led to the accumulation of snow across several high-elevation areas. This past Thursday and Friday, intermittent rain showers combined with chilly air to create a light snowfall on the region’s tallest peaks. Notably, Mount Diablo, standing at 3,849 feet, and Mount Hamilton, at 4,265 feet, were both impacted, along with the Santa Lucia Mountain Range, where Junipero Serra Peak reaches 5,857 feet.

Meteorologist Brayden Murdock from the National Weather Service observed, “It is rarer to see this in the early part of the rainy season. As we go into spring, it actually becomes a little more likely…” This indicates that as the season progresses, the likelihood of such weather patterns increases due to shifts in the upper-level systems affecting storm movements.

Murdock noted some forecasts suggesting snowfall in the Santa Lucias could reach up to 5 inches. Reports have also emerged of wet snow that is melting quickly in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Given these conditions, travelers are advised to exercise caution when navigating the region’s snowy landscapes.

Murdock emphasized, “We’re not encouraging people to go up there to those individual mountains.” Following Friday’s weather, more rain is anticipated late Sunday morning, followed by a clear Tuesday, with further precipitation expected again on Thursday. He concluded, “We don’t expect much in the way of flood risk or wind risk” even as spring rains continue to affect the area.

The weather system affecting the Bay Area has resulted in light snowfall on several high-elevation peaks, an unusual occurrence for early rainy season. Meteorologist Brayden Murdock has indicated that this pattern may become more common as the season transitions into spring. Travelers are urged to proceed with caution in snowy areas, although there is no significant risk of flooding or wind threats anticipated for the upcoming week.

Original Source: www.cbsnews.com