Summer rains often come as afternoon thunderstorms. Snow can fall anytime between late December and early March. Annual snowfall averages 18 inches. Backpackers are often caught off guard when a sunny day in the 70 's F is followed by a wet, bitterly cold one. By mid-June, heat, haze, and humidity are the norm.
Most precipitation occurs as afternoon thundershowers.
In mid-September, a pattern of warm, sunny days and crisp, clear nights often begins. However, cool, rainy days also occur. Dustings of snow may fall at the higher elevations in November. Winter Days during this fickle season can be sunny and 70 F or snowy with highs in the 20 s. In the low elevations, snows of one inch or more occur one to five times a year.