Freak Storm hits San Diego

When I posted that last item, I mentioned that it was raining a little. In fact, the unexpected edge of a cold winter storm blasted our area. It was windy and windows rattled a bit, but it was a surprise to watch the evening news and see flooding, mudslides, stranded cars, and the obligatory reporter in a winter coat looking uncomfortable for our benefit.

Over an inch of rain in places, which sounds harmless, bad after October's wildfires killed all the scrub that was holding the soil in place ... many sections of road were covered in mud and rocks, other parts were undercut and not safe to drive on. There was snow as low as 1,500' elevation, which is very rare around here - normally if we have a dusting on Palomar Mountain (6,000') it's a sight to see. And over a foot of snow at the highest points.

Link: Stranded drivers found shelter in some local casinos -- (SignOnSanDiego - Feb 15, 2008)

One of the comments to that article said, "Southern California people need to get out more. This is nothing." But all events need to be seen in their proper context. As you widen an area, more and more things become common. Snow within 20 miles of me is rare, that's a fact. Within 100 miles there are a few ski areas, like Idyllwild, so it's less rare. Within 10,000 miles, that's the whole earth, and snow is guaranteed. Context is important.

If you include the rest of the solar system, it's even snowing methane somewhere.

BTW: I know ... I'm going to have to think of a phrase other than "freak storm" ... since I have so many other reports lined up.