Bay Area snow photos: rare winter storm transforms California landscape

article

"It's kind of like Tahoe, but in Santa Cruz," said Marilyn L'Heureaux who lives in Capitola. Feb. 23, 2023

The conditions are right across many parts of California to get snow on Thursday and Friday.

Cold air from the Arctic is combining with ocean moisture and will result in snow. The only question is how much will fall.

It was more than just a fluke dusting. Many areas found snow piling up to six inches.

There had been a chance of snow falling in San Francisco, but that does not to appear to have happened

With such an unusual meteorological moment happening in the Golden State, many people are recording the scene with photos and videos.

We'd like to see your pictures of the wintry weather. Email KTVUphotos@fox.com and we may use your photos during our newscasts or online.

The possibility of a historic snowstorm in the city reminded many long-time residents of February 5, 1976, when San Francisco and other parts of the Bay Area were blanketed.

Image 1 of 7

▼

Feb. 5, 1976: Kids mess around with snowballs near Lands End in San Francisco. Mt. Tamalpais is covered with snow in the background, during the rare snow day in the Bay Area. (Photo by Clem Albers/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

From: Getty Images

On Thursday morning, snow was spotted in many areas including Mount Hamilton in San Jose, the peaks of the Santa Cruz mountains and some of the taller hills in San Mateo County. Viewers from as far away as Ukiah in the north and Hollister to the south saw snow too.

But on Friday, the snow was more widespread. Driving through the Santa Cruz mountains looked more like a trip to Lake Tahoe. There was snow in parts of the North Bay and along the East Bay hills like Grizzly Peak in Berkeley.

FRIDAY

Los Gatos

Image 1 of 3

▼

KTVU's Evan Sernoffsky said motorists were using Bear Creek Road in Los Gatos as an alternate to Highway 17, but didn't have much luck. The road was covered with snow and downed trees and wires. Travel along the road proved to be difficult.

Marin Headlands

Marin Headlands as seen from the Sunset District in San Francisco on Feb. 24 2023. Photo credit: Sue Adams

Mount Tamalpais

Snow on Mount Tam. Submitted by Steven Johnson

Berkeley hills

Driving through the hills in Berkeley. Photo credit: Douglas Vaughan

Antioch

Black Diamond Mines in Antioch on Feb. 24, 2023. Photo credit: Christian C.

Highway 17 in Santa Cruz mountains

Highway 17 covered with snow

It may be hard to believe but this is footage of Highway 17 after an unusual winter storm transformed the Santa Cruz mountains The snow has created hazards for drivers, leading authorities to shut the highway.