Parts of California are expected to see some snowfall this weekend, which would mark the first time in 20 years the state has received white snow in August, but it won’t last long.
Four areas in the high Sierra Nevada (Tioga Pass, Tuolumne Meadows, Vogelsang and Wolf) could see snow between Friday morning and Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Hanford.
An “unusually early cold storm” is expected to hit, bringing the first August snowfall in at least two decades to high-altitude areas. Amounts could exceed 1.3 centimeters.
“Although the amounts are light, motorists and hikers should take this forecast into account,” the service said.
The NWS suggests travelers modify their plans if necessary, especially those above 8,000 feet, as Tioga Road “may become slippery before the snow melts” and “visibility may be greatly reduced.”
However, the wintry conditions won’t last long as above-average temperatures are expected to return to California next week, NWS meteorologist Dan Harty said. Newsweek Magazine.
Four areas of the High Sierra (Tioga Pass, Tuolumne Meadows, Vogelsang and Wolf) could see snowfall between Friday morning and Monday afternoon.
![California will see its first August snowfall in 20 years as an unusual cold snap brings an abrupt end to summer, but it won't last long 7 An 'unusually early cold storm' will pass through here, causing those living at higher elevations to see their first August snowfall in 20 years, with snow expected to reach more than half an inch.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/08/1724269851_638_California-will-see-its-first-August-snowfall-in-20-years.jpg.webp)
An ‘unusually early cold storm’ will pass through here, causing those living at higher elevations to see their first August snowfall in 20 years, with snow expected to reach more than half an inch.
![California will see its first August snowfall in 20 years as an unusual cold snap brings an abrupt end to summer, but it won't last long 9 The winter weather won't last long, however, as California is expected to return to above-average temperatures next week.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/08/1724269854_899_California-will-see-its-first-August-snowfall-in-20-years.jpg.webp)
The winter weather won’t last long, however, as California is expected to return to above-average temperatures next week.
Other parts of the West Coast, including Oregon and Nevada, are also expected to see cooler temperatures Thursday into Saturday.
High temperatures are expected to fall below triple digits in Las Vegas later this week, a first since mid-June. AccuWeather Weather reported.
Cooler trends and lower humidity are also helping to facilitate the spread of wildfires along the West Coast.
New York City is also experiencing fall-like temperatures after a cold front moved in on Monday, bringing with it high temperatures and high humidity.
![California will see its first August snowfall in 20 years as an unusual cold snap brings an abrupt end to summer, but it won't last long 11 California temperatures are expected to be about 10 degrees cooler than normal and higher elevations will see snowfall.](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/08/1724269855_430_California-will-see-its-first-August-snowfall-in-20-years.jpg.webp)
California temperatures are expected to be about 10 degrees cooler than normal and higher elevations will see snowfall.
![California will see its first August snowfall in 20 years as an unusual cold snap brings an abrupt end to summer, but it won't last long 13 1724269857 94 California will see its first August snowfall in 20 years](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/08/1724269857_94_California-will-see-its-first-August-snowfall-in-20-years.jpg.webp)
Midweek highs were expected to only reach 75 degrees, which is on par with late September temperatures. NBC reported.
New Yorkers are expected to wake up to temperatures in the mid-50s on Thursday. The last time the Big Apple woke up to cold temperatures was May 30, NBC reported.
Northern New Jersey and the Hudson Valley will be even colder, with lows between 40 and 49°F.
Like California, the Northeast will see a rise in temperatures next week.
Residents in parts of Northeast Ohio will also wake up to temperatures in the 40s and 50s, but will see temperatures and humidity soar by the end of the week, according to Get to know us.
![California will see its first August snowfall in 20 years as an unusual cold snap brings an abrupt end to summer, but it won't last long 15 The Northeast and Midwest are experiencing temperatures about 20 degrees below average, but](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/cwv-webp-images/2024/08/1724269859_309_California-will-see-its-first-August-snowfall-in-20-years.jpg.webp)
The Northeast and Midwest are experiencing temperatures about 20 degrees below average, but will “rise through the weekend.”
The Northeast and Midwest are experiencing temperatures about 20 degrees below average, but will “gradually increase through the weekend.” AccuWeather Senior meteorologist Tom Kines said.
“Over the weekend, humidity levels will likely return to typical late August levels, but not to mid-summer magnitude levels,” Kines said. “Sometime around the middle days of next week, some of that warmth with high humidity will shift into the Northeast.”