On Dec. 13, 1967, a powerful storm brought snow to downtown San Diego for the first time since 1949.
Snow regularly falls in the mountains in San Diego county and occasionally reaches inland valleys and hills above the city. Snowfall is extremely rare here at elevations below 1,000 feet.
From the Evening Tribune, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 1967:
Most Unusual Day in San Diego; Snow Falls; Some Schools Shut
Cold Expected To Linger On a Few Days
Two-Foot Fall Is Reported Atop Palomar Mountain
By Lee Dye, Evening Tribune Staff Writer
A nasty storm slashed into San Diego County today with plunging temperatures, snow, sleet and freezing winds.
Bizarre snowstorms were reported throughout the county. Light snow fell near the Mexican border and in downtown San Diego, and heavy snowstorms struck widespread areas.
On top of Palomar Mountain the snow measured 2 feet deep by noon, “and that’s in the level areas,” said Mrs. Tom Miller, wife of the Palomar State Park ranger.
Winds Stick Around
“It’s stopped snowing now, but it’s still overcast and the wind cuts right through you,” she said. The park temperature at noon was 18 degrees.
The sky cleared over many areas of San Diego by late morning, but blustery winds whipped through the air with a knife-light sting.
The scene was repeated throughout Southern California, although a dry, windy Santa Ana condition had been forecast by weathermen. The storm, carrying extremely cold air, swept down from Canada and had been expected to through Nevada and move out to sea over Baja California.
Knew It Was There
“We knew the storm was there, but we didn’t expect it to hit us like this,” said weatherman Kurt Muerdter.
All schools, both elementary and secondary, were closed today because of the snow in the Fallbrook Union, Julian Union and Mountain Empire Unified districts. Borrego Springs and Alpine schools stayed open.
Officials said they would let the weather decide whether the schools would open tomorrow.
Many Minor Accidents
Heavy snow was reported in such unusual areas as the community of Rainbow just south of Temecula on U.S. 395. The storm dumped 6 inches of snow there and reduced traffic to a crawl.
There were so many minor accidents that law enforcement officials were forced to tell people to move on and file reports later.
Chains were required in most mountain highways.
Three inches of snow fell on the desert community of Borrego Springs. “It’s the first time I’ve seen that,” said longtime resident Duke Pendley.
For the second time in history, snow was observed at the weather bureau’s office at Lindbergh field. Snow fell there once before — on Jan. 11, 1949.
“It’s most unusual,” said Muerdter.
Thunderheads to the north forced Lindbergh Field to reroute its traffic. Most departing aircraft took off over the city rather than over Loma Portal, their normal flight pattern.
