In a surprise spring snowstorm, nearly 4 inches fell in Idyllwild and more in Pine Cove early Friday morning, May 8. Photo by John Drake
In a surprise spring snowstorm, nearly 4 inches fell in Idyllwild and more in Pine Cove early Friday morning, May 8.
Photo by John Drake

Some rain and mostly snow fell on the Hill Friday, May 8. In an unusual spring snowfall, more than 3 inches arrived overnight in town and more at higher elevations.

Total precipitation recorded at the U.S. Forest Service’s Keenwild Ranger Station was just over 0.75 inches, bringing the rain year (July 1 through June 30) total to 11.24 inches. The long-term average rainfall is 25.67 inches.

Harmony Monument dusted with snow following Friday morning’s storm. Photo by John Drake
Harmony Monument dusted with snow following Friday morning’s storm. Photo by John Drake

Pine Cove received slightly more, around 0.82 inches of moisture and 5 inches of snow. Total rainfall for the year has been 18.62 inches and 24 inches of snow, both less than the historic averages.

The Town Crier’s weather station also recorded about three-quarters of an inch of rain Friday, but mostly from nearly 3.7 inches of snow in town.

Last week, the state’s Department of Water Resources reported, “… electronic sensors up and down the Sierra indicate that statewide, California’s snowpack water content is one-half an inch, 3 percent of the 16.6 inches normally in the snowpack on May 1.”