I live in the valley and it doesnt snow here. WHy's that?

Question

I dont live near the desert. I live in one of the principal valleys of southern California near Los Angeles

Answer 1

Check out your latitude. If it is around 30 degrees North, it is in the so-called desert belt. You have dry air descending from above owing to global atmospheric circulation patterns.

I think these are called Hadley cells or something like that. I am not a professional meteorologist.

But, if there is heavy snow on your surrounding mountains accompanied by a sudden thaw, you should look out for flooding.

Watch out for flash flooding.

BTW, flash flooding can be a real problem even in L.A. proper.

Hadley cells (or whatever) says the moist hot air from equatorial regions rises and travels northeasterly while losing moisture as the rain falls along the way.

Then the dry air left over descends (and heats up) in your latitude. This all serves to rob your area of moisture as a general rule.

You should look this up in detail to further understand your area's weather.

Yes, just checked: L.A. is about Latitude 34 degrees North. So if you are living in a desert valley to the west you will be DRY, more so a bit south.

Another reason for dryness is the cold ocean current moving south along the coast. Means less moisture and humidity from ocean winds. The very little moisture will only dampen the mountaintops or high areas to your west when the wind is blowing your way.

Must be very comfortable there when it is not too hot.

I would not want to be there through August and September though.

I would keep a water store or supply, maintain the Air Conditioner, and think about a small emergency power generator. A solar powered attic fan is another plus along with reflective roofing and windows. More house insulation help in my blog:

http://360.yahoo.com/ki_te_moana

(see 'tags' or the Blog Roll)

Answer 2

Altitude and low temperatures determine weather trends. You live in too warm a climate to get snow through all that Ellay exported smog. That, coupled with the desert-dry air precludes snow in your weather most of the time..The rest of the time you are just lucky.
I know you said you don't live in the desert but as I recall - if you live in San Gabriel Valley or any other of several So-Cal valleys - they would be v dry if not for the farming.
Besides - the snow gods are sending it all to me and I can do without it.

Answer 3

In So Cal, it can snow in the valley, it just depends on which valley you are in. I believe the Santa Clarita Valley has seen snow.

Most of the time, it is too warm in so cal to snow, only in the coldest storms will it snow in the highest valleys usually 2000 feet and up. Sometimes it will snow down to 1000 feet here, like when the Malibu Hills got snow earlier this winter. I've never seen it snowing to the valley floor here in the San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys or LA proper, but I heard its happened before!

Answer 4

snow is a very rare event in los angeles, even for the valleys. unlike the midwest, los angeles doesnt get any cold, dry air from canada, mixed with warm gulf moisture, which can make snow, or sleet/freezing rain at low latitudes. in the winter, los angeles gets mostly cool, moist air from the pacific, which however is not cold enough to make snow, but rather up in the mountains at a certain elevation.

Answer 5

There is not enough moisture in the air to snow if and when the temputure drops below freezing (32F), California Vallies are notorious for the dry air.

Answer 6

Because it's always warm, smart one!!!!!!!!!!!
What a stupid question!