Why doesn't snow fall in California excpet in the mountains?

Question

Louisiana and Mississippi are way south but even they get snow in low level areas. Also Houston and Atlanta are much more south but they receive more snow in a year than San Francisco probably ever got. Seriously what's up with that. Is it because the coast range blocks arctic winds or is it another reason?

Answer 1

Water temp changes less than air temp - so ocean to the west keeps temps up in California.

Elevation cools air temp - so Rocky mountains cool air that eventually flows to Louisiana and Mississippi.  Snow in Houston is rare (close to ocean).

But, basically air flow directions over ocean/mountains more than latitude.

Answer 2

It is not only about latitude.

For exemple most of western Europe is much more north than the US and experience snow very rarely.

Lisboa in Portugal is about in lince with New York and has winters has mild as Florida.

Paris is about in line with 300 miles more northern than Montréal, Canada, but has snow fall only every 2/3 years, sometimes more. And most of the time it is only melted snow that doesn't stay on the ground more than a few minutes.

It is more about oceanic streams influences than purely latitudes.

Answer 3

Snow fall below 2000 ft is rare.  It has snowed in Los Angeles, and San Diego, but these cities are hilly, and have elevations of nearly 1500 ft within their limits.