It was an icy cold ending to the year across the West yesterday as storms dumped a huge amount of snow and ice in California and the Rockies.

Two people died and a third has gone missing after blustery winds caused boats to break loose at Santa Catalina Island in Southern California, and 180 drivers had to be rescued on highways in northeast Los Angeles after snow stranded them, according to an Associated Press report.

Meanwhile, residents in Phoenix got the rare dusting of snow, and freezing temperatures pushed out the typically year-round warm temperatures in places like Las Vegas and Pasadena, Calif. Snow also fell in Texas, Oklahoma, and even New Mexico.

It wasn’t just snow and ice that was a problem. Blustery winds blew over trees in California and killed at least three people.

But it wasn’t all bad news. For the people of those regions, snow is a rare sight, and it offered an opportunity for residents to go sledding near their front door. Flagstaff, Ariz., for example, expected more than a foot of snow by New Year’s Day.

The cold threatens to cause some complications for some activities, such as Pasadena’s New Year’s parade, as officials advised people to make sure they are bundled up for the event. Also, the cold could cause tropical flowers used in the parade to turn black.

Fortunately, it doesn’t appear the weather will harm California’s citrus crop, much of which has yet to be harvested.