Heavy Snow — San Diego County Mountains, California

1999-04-01 to 1999-04-02 · San Diego County Mountains, California

Event narrative

Snow began late in the morning and continued till around midnight. The heaviest snow fell between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. At the 3700 foot elevation, nine inches of snow fell in a six hour period. At the 5650 foot elevation, eighteen inches of new snow fell in a twelve hour period. In the Pine Creek Wilderness Area of the Laguna Mountains, eight men died from hypothermia, and thirteen men, women, and children were hospitalized for hypothermia and frostbite. Search and rescue teams rescued another 37 people trapped by the heavy snow in the Wilderness Area. The survivors stated they had been on foot for more than three days. Many were found only wearing light clothing and tennis shoes and stated they had never experienced snow before. On the Mexican side of the border, authorities rescued 41 people who were stranded on foot, and another 85 campers and motorists.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5693059. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.