California will see first August snow in 20 years as freak cold snap brings abrupt end to summer - but it won't last long

Parts of California are expected to see bits of snowfall this weekend, which would mark the first time in 20 years the state has welcomed the white stuff in August, but it won't last long. 

Four areas in the high Sierra Nevada - Tioga Pass, Tuolumne Meadows, Vogelsang, and Wwolf - could see snow between Friday morning and Monday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Hanford. 

An 'unusually, early cold storm' is expected to pass through, causing those in higher elevations to see the first August snowfall in at least two decades. Amounts could reach over half an inch. 

'Although these are light amounts, motorists and hikers should be aware of this forecast,' the service stated. 

NWS suggests travelers alter plans if necessary, especially those above 8,000 feet, as Tioga Road 'may become slippery before snow melts' and 'visibility may be greatly reduced.' 

However, the wintry conditions won't last long, as above-average temperatures are expected to return to California next week, NWS meteorologist Dan Harty told Newsweek. 

Four areas in the High Sierra - Tioga Pass, Tuolumne Meadows, Vogelsang, and Wwolf - could see some snowfall between Friday morning and Monday afternoon

An 'unusually, early cold storm' will be passing through, which will cause those in higher elevations to see it's the first August snow in 20 years that would amount to over half-an-inch  

However, the winter phenomenon won't last long as California is expected to go back to above-average temperatures next week

Other parts of the West Coast - including Oregon and Nevada - are also expected to experience cooler temperatures from Thursday to Saturday. 

High temperatures that don't reach triple digits are expected in Las Vegas later this week - which would be a first since mid-June, Accuweather reported. 

Cooler trends and less humidity are also helping to ease the spread of wildfires along the West Coast.   

New York City is also experiencing fall-like temperatures after a cold front moved in on Monday, pushing out the hot temperatures and high humidity. 

California temperatures are expected to be around 10 degrees cooler than normal and higher elevations will see the snowfall

Mid-week highs were only expected to reach the mid-70s, which is on par for late-September temperatures, NBC reported. 

On Thursday, New Yorkers are forecast to wake up to temperatures in the 50s. The last time the Big Apple awoke to chill was on May 30, NBC reported. 

North Jersey and the Hudson Valley will be even colder, with lows in the mid- to upper 40s. 

Like California, the Northeast will see a rise in temperatures next week. 

Residents in parts of northeast Ohio will also wake up to temperatures in the high 40s and low 50s, but will see temperatures and humidity soar by the end of the week, according to WKYC. 

The Northeast and Midwest are experiencing temperatures roughly 20 degrees below average, but it 'ratchet up through the weekend'

The Northeast and Midwest are experiencing temperatures roughly 20 degrees below average, but they will 'gradually ratchet up through the weekend,' AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tom Kines said.

'Over the weekend, humidity levels will probably be back up to typical late-August levels, but not to the magnitude portions of the midsummer delivered,' Kines said. 'At some point, around the middle days of next week, some of that heat with high humidity will spike in the Northeast.'