Antelope Valley Schools Closed Because of Snow

Palmdale and Lancaster school officials declared a snow day Tuesday after a winter storm blanketed the High Desert and snowmen popped up in every second or third frontyard by midmorning.

“It was cool,” Michelei Robinson, 12, said as her younger brother put the finishing touches on their snowman. “This is only the second time it snowed this good.”

Although Antelope Valley residents occasionally see a light dusting during cold winters, it was the first time in four or five years that enough snow fell to close the schools, officials said.

About 60,000 students were affected by the closures.

The National Weather Service estimated that 4 inches to 6 inches of snow covered the ground Tuesday in the Antelope Valley.

It was more than enough for Michelei, who sledded down a hill behind her Palmdale home all morning with her siblings and young neighbors. After a take-no-prisoners snowball fight, some had already soaked their second change of clothes.

Heavy snow began falling about 11 p.m. Monday and continued for the next four hours, Palmdale resident Phil Solis said. By then, he had decided to declare a snow day for his entire family.

Solis and his two eldest sons usually leave for work in Hollywood at 2:45 a.m. Instead, the family of eight found the ideal sledding spot in the foothills south of Pearblossom Highway, about three miles from home.