Alexandra Glass was visiting the park with her husband when it started to snow.
Alexandra Glass was visiting the park with her husband when it started to snow. Credit: Alexandra Glass on Reddit

Snow covered the high desert of Joshua Tree National Park earlier this week in a rare, but much needed storm. 

The Mojave Desert peaks above 4,000 feet in some areas, and the area typically sees one or two snowfalls each January or February, according to social media post from @visit_joshuatree

“Snow is a welcome sight in the park, and is a good indicator for Joshua Tree blooms and wildflowers in the springtime,” the account wrote. “Joshua trees need a ‘cold snap’ to start their annual clock, which then produces Joshua Tree blooms in February.”

Jenni Albrinck, a spokesperson for the park, told SFGate, “It was all melted within an hour but looked beautiful while it was here.”

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Heather Bergeson is a writer and editor based in Utah. Heather has written about travel, sports, business and the outdoors for Utah Life magazine, Utah Business magazine and Moab Sun News. She has a bachelor's...