Bay Area Sees Rare Snowfall at Higher Elevations

Winter weather advisory issued for the first time in 3 years

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for the Bay Area, with snow flurries reported at elevations above 2,500 feet on Mt. Diablo and measurable snow on top of Mt. Hamilton near San Jose. This is the first time a winter weather advisory has been issued in the region in the past 3 years.

Why it matters

Snowfall in the Bay Area, even at higher elevations, is an uncommon occurrence that typically only happens a few times per decade. This rare weather event highlights the potential impacts of climate change on regional weather patterns.

The details

On Tuesday morning, snow flurries began falling on Mt. Diablo, a state park just outside of Walnut Creek in the East Bay. Higher elevations in the park are expected to accumulate a few inches of snow overnight into Wednesday. Measurable snow was also reported on top of Mt. Hamilton near San Jose.

  • The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for the Bay Area on Tuesday.
  • The last time a winter weather advisory was issued was three years ago.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing weather advisories and warnings.

Mt. Diablo

A state park located just outside of Walnut Creek in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Mt. Hamilton

A mountain near San Jose where measurable snow was reported.

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The takeaway

This rare snowfall event in the Bay Area serves as a reminder of the region's vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, which can lead to more unpredictable and extreme weather patterns. It also highlights the importance of ongoing weather monitoring and preparedness efforts by local authorities.