Los Angeles and Southern California were hit by an extraordinary snowstorm over the weekend, marking the third occurrence of snowfall in the 21st century as recorded locally.

Despite falling in areas of low elevation, the snow melted rapidly and caused a strong flow in the typically dormant Los Angeles River.

“Quite a remarkable storm the last few days with historic amounts of precip and snow down to elevations that rarely see snow,” the National Weather Service said.

New York City experienced an unexpected weather phenomenon on Sunday, with temperatures reaching up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit and mostly sunny skies, resembling conditions typically observed in Los Angeles. However, temperatures dropped to the 30s overnight, and the National Weather Service has forecasted potential snowfall in the five boroughs as early as Monday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Fire Department saved four homeless individuals from a flood control area in the Los Angeles River on Saturday, with two requiring hospitalization for hypothermia, according to emergency responders.

Interstate 5, the primary thoroughfare in California running north to south, was shut down on Sunday morning due to icy conditions, but later resumed operations in the afternoon.

According to the Los Angeles Times, prior to the recent snowfall, there were only two instances of snow occurring in the city since the beginning of the 21st century – once in 2019 and another in 2007.

“It’s something we’ve never really experienced,” Los Angeles resident Edgar Corona told the L.A. Times on Saturday as his kids played in the snow. “I brought them here, it’s been pretty great.”

Following the snowfall in Southern California on Sunday, the precipitation ceased, but an unusual second storm was anticipated to bring rainfall to the area beginning on Monday.

The National Weather Service predicted “cold and unsettled weather into the middle of next week.”

According to the L.A. Times, numerous locations in Southern California set records for rainfall on Friday, including Los Angeles International Airport with 2.04 inches, Santa Maria with 2.61 inches, and Oxnard with 2.04 inches.

The low-pressure system progressed towards the east, passing over northern Arizona, where some higher-altitude regions received a light layer of snow. The Sierra Nevada mountains were issued a blizzard warning beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday.