In February, our little corner of Southern California faced an unexpected winter storm on Valentine’s night, bringing heavy rainfall and a unique weather phenomenon known as “graupel.” For those unfamiliar, graupel is an interesting combination of snow crystals and ice that resembles soft hail or snow pellets.

Despite the unusual weather, we were well prepared for the cold temperatures. We ensured our animal residents had extra bedding and draft-proof shelter to keep them safe and comfortable throughout the night. By morning the arrival of ice on the ground seemed to energize our residents, creating a fun and exciting environment for them to explore.

While our animal residents adapted to the weather, our gardens faced challenges. We had covered many of our newly planted seed starts, but the weight of the graupel caused some damage. Additionally, irrigation lines and pipes were frozen and broken in some areas, which required fast repairs. However, we salvaged most of the gardens as they thawed out nicely.

We understand that the “whiteout” we experienced differs significantly from those in the Northeast. Still, it’s a rare occurrence in Temecula, California, and a story we felt was worth sharing.

We remain committed to caring for our animal residents and the gardens as winter storms continue. We will do everything possible to ensure they are safe, secure, and well-fed during inclement weather.