March 2, 2023 (In-Ko-Pah) – Greg Curran sent in these photos of a rare snowfall blanketing In-Ko-Pah in the high desert, near the Desert View Tower and Boulder Park.

By Miriam Raftery

October 31, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) – Cooler weather is coming, with a chance of rain showers and snow showers in San Diego’s mountain areas from Wednesday morning through Thursday evening. Snow could fall to 4500 feet in elevation by Thursday, which could include Julian, Cuyamaca and Mount Laguna.

East County News Service

January 27, 2021 (Descanso) – How cold was it this week in East County? Cold enough to freeze over a swimming pool in Descanso.  Thanks to Allen Walker Entertainment for sending in this startling image of lawn chairs perched atop the iced-over pool that resembles an outdoor skating rink.

Readers, please send us your winter pics to editor@eastcountymagazine.org. 

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

• Be prepared for significant traffic delays in both directions due to both road conditions and the sheer volume of motorists. Prior snowfalls have left drivers in up to five-hour waits on the roads.
• You should have a full tank of gas. Don’t count on filling up along the way.
  

By Andy Tolley, County of San Diego Communications Office

February 22, 2019 (Mt. Laguna) - A big snow day at Mt. Laguna means County Public Works crews are busy clearing the roads. But if they determine that chains are required, the CHP gets involved.

Be sure to check the road conditions before embarking on a trip to the snow.

Chain controls, road condition updates and other safety advisories about County-maintained roads are posted on the Department of Public Work’s Facebook and Twitter sites.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Mt. Laguna, courtesy SDG&E camera via HP Wren

January 1, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Two and a half inches of snow have fallen in Julian on New Year’s Eve, with an inch reported atop Mt. Laguna and Mt. Palomar.  A light dusting of snow fell at lower elevations including Cuyamaca in East County’s mountains.

Source: San Diego Sheriff

February 21, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- Due to this week's winter storm, there is the possibility of snowfall in San Diego County Mountain areas including Julian, Pine Valley and Descanso.

For those planning to head out to the mountains, the Sheriff's Department wants to remind you to be prepared. Be sure to check road conditions before heading out. Have a full tank of gas, water and food supplies in case you are stranded in traffic since this region is known for “snow jams.”

East County News Service

January 27, 2017 (Cuyamaca) – Tom Lemon ventured into the Laguna Mountains today and sent us this beautiful photo of the thick blanket of snow across the area.  “I saw where the plows had moved a lot of snow and today there were three plows working to clear the side of the Sunrise Highway to the edge of the pavement and parking areas at the lodge, visitor center, and the restaurants,” he wrote. “We stopped at Cuyamaca Lake to walk across the causeway and I could not continue because of the 40 MPH wind and spray from whitecaps on the lake.”

By Miriam Raftery

November 25, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Rain, thunderstorms and high winds are forecast starting Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening to cap off Thanksgiving weekend. Up to three inches of snow is possible above 5,500 feet, with rain-slicked highways expected to slow holiday travelers in lower elevations.

February 26, 2013 (Descanso) -- Julie Salmons shot these photos after this week’s heavy snowfall  blanketed her community in Descanso.  

January 12, 2012 (Jacumba) -- This week's winter storm brought an unusual treat for residents of Jacumba, elevation 2850: snow!  Danielle Cook took these photos outside Jacumba Hot Springs, where a light dusting of snow blanketed the area.  Don't rush out to visit, though -- it's already melting away in the mid-day sun.

By Miriam Raftery

March 19, 2012 (San Diego's East County) -- As a late winter storm sweeps across our region, readers in San Diego's East County have shared some of their favorite photos of the season.

“The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased, and not impaired in value.” – President Theodore Roosevelt

By Miriam Raftery

February 21, 2011 (Palomar Mountain) –President Theodore Roosevelt, the great conservationist who founded our national park system, once observed, “There are no words that can tell the hidden spirit of the wilderness, that can reveal its mystery, its melancholy and its charm.”

Roosevelt would have been enchanted by the pristine beauty of Palomar Mountain, blanketed in a foot of snow this President’s Day. No doubt he would also feel melancholy to learn that Palomar State Park is among those state parks under consideration for possible closure due to the state's budget gap.  For now, however, visitors frolick in the powdery snow, most blissfully oblivious that the park's fate hangs in the balance.