Winter Weather Heading into Spring

By Adrianna Weingold

CREATED Mar. 19, 2012

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  • The normally dry desert was hit with snow over the weekend. As much as two feet fell in our local mountains. Residents out and about enjoying what could be the final cold spell of the season. Video by kmir6.com

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COACHELLA VALLEY--The first day of spring is just around the corner, but here in the valley it looked more like winter this weekend. As much as two feet of snow fell in our local mountains.

Wet weather sweeping across the desert. Blowing snow and wind in Morongo Valley gave way to blue skies and slush up Highway 74.

"My grandma has never seen the snow and we wanted to show her how fun it is," said desert resident Bresly Beltran.

The fresh snow was already melting, but that did stop Bresley and her grandma from building a snow man. Sun shining Monday but over the weekend a different story, as snow covered roads made for dangerous driving.

The weather was so bad over the weekend, Caltrans had to shut down Highway 74, lucky for commuters the highway was cleaned up and re-opened by Monday morning.

For travelers like former Harlem Globetrotter John Lane, snow basketball was in order, a final march weather madness before bracing for the heat.

"It's so nice that it's snowing now in the middle of spring with summer coming up with the intense heat that we're about to face, this is like a piece of heaven right here," said former Harlem Globetrotter John Lane.

A piece of heaven that Sugar Loaf Cafe owner Tom Costello hopes will bring big crowds on snowy days like this one.

"We get a lot of people coming up from the desert floor to check out the snow and stop in for a cup of coffee and warm up," said Sugar Loaf Cafe owner, Tom Costello.

Folks reveling in the chilly air, taking full advantage of what could turn out to be winter's last hurrah.

 

--Adrianna Weingold

aweingold@kmir6.com