It is pretty safe to say that no one hears “Southern California” and thinks of snow or even cold weather for that matter. In fact, the temperature in Los Angeles rarely gets anywhere near freezing, even on winter nights. However, once in a while, even this warm weather state gets a real winter storm. The coldest winter in Los Angeles was in 1949 and it brought with it an unusual snowfall.
It started on Monday, January 10, 1949, during what has been called the worst housing shortage in the city’s history. At noon, snow began to fall, and it continued - sometimes intermingled with rain and sleet - for three full days. It wasn’t until Thursday that residents heard forecasts of rising temperatures.
Airbaja/YouTube
Up to two feet of snow fell and covered parts of the city. It was even heavier in the hills around the city. Snow even covered beach communities nearby.
Airbaja/YouTube
Local Angelinos of all ages ventured out to stare at, walk in, and play with the snow. Spontaneous snowball fights broke out and snowmen were built.
Airbaja/YouTube
During this historic snowstorm, Los Angeles reached its lowest temperature ever recorded, 28 degrees Fahrenheit.
Airbaja/YouTube
Children and adults brought out tubes, sleds, and anything else they could use to glide across or down the fresh layer of snow.
Airbaja/YouTube
People scrambled for normally-unneeded supplies like tire chains and thermal underwear. The newspapers reported that a shop owner in Alhambra put out a sign that said, “Snow Plows for Rent — Hurry!”
Airbaja/YouTube
The snowstorm caused a record gas shortage, which led a large aircraft company in San Diego to close down temporarily. According to the Los Angeles Times, the city was sent a snow shovel as a gift from the city of Reno, Nevada.
Airbaja/YouTube
Snow and ice on the hilly streets throughout the city made for difficult, and even dangerous driving conditions. There were reportedly hundreds of minor car accidents, and sadly, a few more serious ones.
Airbaja/YouTube
Traffic was even stopped for several hours in Laurel Canyon due to cars with frozen radiators.
Airbaja/YouTube
The snow reached as far as Catalina Island, 22 miles off the coast, to the major surprise of its residents. Apparently, it even confused tropical birds housed on the island and made them fly upside down!
Airbaja/YouTube
Thanks to YouTuber Airbaja for sharing this incredible capture of the snow storm!
Airbaja/YouTube
Although light snows have happened from time to time in Los Angeles, the 1949 storm was unprecedented, and nothing quite like it has occurred since. Did you know about the coldest winter in Los Angeles? Have you ever experienced snow in L.A.? We want to hear about it! Of course, snow does cover some Southern California towns in higher elevations every year. Here is one snowy town in SoCal where winter is downright magical.
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Address: Los Angeles, CA, USA
