“IT’S SNOWING” was trending on Twitter in California on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 1, as hundreds uploaded photos, videos and remarks about what appeared to be snow sprinkling over low-altitude areas of Southern California.
While National Weather Service officials later clarified that most residents were likely seeing graupel, not snow, there was no shortage of chatter about the phenomenon online.
No, you aren’t just seeing things!
Yes it was briefly snowing in Corona! Even the crew from E2 can’t believe it!
Stay safe and warm Corona! pic.twitter.com/8w1hK72ijN
— Corona Fire Dept #CoronaFire (@CoronaFireDept) March 1, 2023
It’s snowing in Anaheim!
I’ve never seen snowfall til today… pic.twitter.com/bQMGXxzrWS
— Andrew (@_ThisIsAndrew) March 1, 2023
Got a quick little hail/ snow storm in Orange County now it’s sunny #ocweather #Flowers #hail #snow pic.twitter.com/R2u3UzqYkQ
— Amber (@Confidence101) March 1, 2023
Snow — or graupel — sightings were reported across much of Southern California mid-afternoon on Wednesday. The frozen precipitation was seen in the Inland empire, Los Angeles and Orange County, including Disneyland.
Its snowing at Disneyland!!! pic.twitter.com/i7PrlaHNTQ
— Fester LVFC (@wogglebugg) March 1, 2023
ITS SNOWING IN RIVERSIDE pic.twitter.com/XeedvrZLBe
— B (@frecklefairyy) March 1, 2023
ITS SNOWING IN LOS ANGELES EVERYONE pic.twitter.com/NUaB4DmDMD
— alo (@vmnyun) March 1, 2023
ITS SNOWING IN WHITTIER! @ABC7 pic.twitter.com/4pOxsWhGDv
— jackie (@_jackooo) March 1, 2023
Many expressed shock and excitement over the weather. While it’s not an Orange County first to get snow-like precipitation, it doesn’t happen often. In 1949, it snowed three inches in some Orange County cities.
Not quite snowing but we got graupel over in SoCal!!! Closest thing I’ve seen to snow and it’s my first time witnessing it pic.twitter.com/JMFbIWFFOB
— Cion AISD AG16 (@cionkeiasta) March 1, 2023
Wow, its snowing in SoCal. Not in the mountains but in the city. I’ve never seen it here.
— Gabriel Nadales (@OGNadales) March 1, 2023
Weather in SoCal has been a little nutty lately. First time I’ve seen snow at such a low elevation in over 10 years. Though its not cold enough to stick, its like fancy rain. pic.twitter.com/bn8CQBAk7e
— Redhead Redemption (ᯅ̈ ) (@WESTKYLEVIRUS) March 1, 2023
Others remained skeptical of the snow, which follows an odd weather week for the area with Southern California seeing a string of heavy rainfall, cold temperatures and high winds.
Some areas in the region already got snow, now seeing it again for the second time this week.
never thought i’d ever see it snow in socal, let alone multiple times
— ˞ (@gnarw0lff) March 1, 2023
A little snow in southern Cali and we out here like this #Snowfall #Cali #socal pic.twitter.com/r3kKKetfqZ
— Christopher Sierra (@Chr1sS1erra) March 1, 2023
ITS SNOWING????? WTFFFF it’s snowing in socal pic.twitter.com/DKsfswHIj4
— Gizelle (@lilsmols_) March 1, 2023
Its snowing in Hollywood. This is the end pic.twitter.com/PxbX6I97oy
— DYLUXE (@dyluxemusic) March 1, 2023