On February 19th, a rare winter storm dropped three feet in the San Bernardino mountains, sending Corona locals racing Highway 330 for the first big powder day of the season. The first significant snowfall of the season boosts business in local towns and gives Southern Californians a chance to escape the blistering desert heat. The towns that were hit were Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Green Valley Lake, Running Springs, and Crestline.
Heavy snow in the mountains brought customers to the ski resorts, though some shortened their trips due to the storm’s severity. Skiers decided that the snowstorm would not prevent them from snowboarding and skiing. Roads were greatly affected by the storm due to delays caused by chain appliances and cars that were hindered in place by the deep, soft snow. The snow type was dense-packed powder, resulting in icy conditions that required chains for those without Four Wheel Drive.
The locals of Corona, California, approximately only 1 hour and 24 minutes away from Big Bear Lake, drove that time to get in their limited amount of time on the slopes. Throughout the week, the total snowfall was about 3 feet. According to San Bernardino County, the Public Works Department was responsible for plowing 516 miles of county-maintained and special district roads each winter season. To keep the roads safe during the snow season, drivers were required to have either chains or Four Wheel Drive. With icy roads and increased traffic, people from Corona took time to travel up to the snowy peaks.
Snow, however brief, with its crystalline effect, always signals the beginning of winter. According to the National Weather Service, snow is unlikely to occur in the Southern California San Bernardino Mountains over the next few weeks. In Big Bear Lake, where many local civilians from Corona go to snowboard or experience mountain life, the forecast snow had arrived earlier than expected that day. While it was predicted to have arrived at night, it made its entrance around mid-afternoon.
This weather in Big Bear Lake brought much-needed improvement to the local economy, thanks to the many visitors who braved the hazardous drive to the snow to spend a day or two snowboarding. In Southern California, Corona, snow is nonexistent, so when a local is allowed to go play in the snow, it is greeted with great enthusiasm, which leads to improved sales for local businesses up in Big Bear Lake. According to NBCLA, local sales increased along with visitor numbers during Valentine’s weekend. The snow, an additional draw for travellers, boosted their sales along with the weekend of love.
The locals of Corona, California, hold Big Bear Lake dear to their hearts because it is the only factor of snow in their typical lives. In the desert-like city of Corona, there have been one or two times when snow made its appearance, in the form of small flurries that lasted less than a second on the warm ground. The first significant snowfall of the season impacts many Southern Californians, allowing them to experience a frosty world.
