An Inside Look At The Bay Area's Recent And Historic Record-Breaking Snowfalls

By: Kyrie Sismaet By: Kyrie Sismaet | February 24, 2023 | People, Lifestyle, Travel & Recreation, Story, News and Features, City Life, Travel, National, Community, Local,

Could that really be snow in the Bay Area? Yes, it's true! Although rare, snow has known to sprinkle our scenic mountaintops and forests, with the most recent winter storm Thursday morning on February 23 reaching close to the previous records set in 1887, 1932, and 1976 as seen with the formidable flurry of frigid dusting.

This current winter storm is set to deliver snow as low as 500 feet in the Bay Area, bringing along with it robust winds, rain, and thunder everywhere from East Bay's Mission Peak, to Twin Peaks, the Windy Hill Open Space Preserve, and most notably Santa Cruz. We've got the chilly scoop as to what you should expect as well as what our magical winter wonderland already looks like from key local witnesses.

Though the snow arrived mostly early Thursday morning, some noticed it descending the previous Wednesday afternoon. Rain then followed throughout the day, with a Winter Weather Advisory in place for Santa Cruz and Santa Clara County as more frigid rain is expected with another dousing of snow that Thursday evening.

With multiple rounds of snowfall expected, it is predicted that all of our iconic mountaintops will see around 6 to 12 inches of snow by Friday, with the most affected areas being the Santa Cruz mountains, the Sierra Nevada, and Mount Diablo.

Though intriguingly peculiar, such climatic anomolies should be expect, as San Jose State University Meteorology and Climate Science Department Chair Professor Alison Bridger stated for abc7news, "perhaps maybe every five years we'll see snow along the Santa Cruz mountains," further elucidating that, "unusual weather is becoming more usual, more common, and we should not be surprised by anything."

This is not the first time the Bay Area, and specifically San Francisco, has been blessed with snow though, as there have been five distinct times residents were able to interact with a decent amount, the most recent being on February 5th, 1976.

December 11, 1932 ranks as having the coldest temperature recorded for SF, though on February 5, 1887, the city was momentously blanketed in nearly four inches of snow, with some western parts even having a deep seven inches!

While we may not see that much this year in comparison, the presence of snow and shivering low temperatures are still significant. Here are a few amazing photos that locals have already witnessed which certainly puts our landscape in a new (albeit chilly) perspective.

@npalmer8 wakes up unexpected dusting in his Glen Park home.

@postlandtrust captures this idyllic nature shot in La Honda.

Our lush and serene forests become even more mystical with the descending snowflakes, as seen by @skyeblue92.

@bbette00 claims her "inner child" was overjoyed with this fond memory of incredible weather marvel her students will definitely hold dear.

Though it may not be wine season, @missionpeakwine finds a bountiful harvest in the form of frozen water at their East Bay vineyard.

The Santa Cruz mountains tower at 1300ft of elevation, making it prime territory to see snowfall, as noted by @thatwanderlustinlife.

Be sure to stay tuned with your local news to stay on top of the Winter Weather Advisories so that you remain safe, prepared, and warm during the rain and blustery weather, even if you just plan to capture some photos or videos of the magnificent sight.

Photography by: Courtesy of Captured Blinks Photography/Getty Images

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An Inside Look At The Bay Area's Recent And Historic Record-Breaking Snowfalls