Snowfall Possible in the Sierra this Weekend as Temperatures Plummet
Winter weather may be making an early appearance in Northern California this weekend, as a dusting of snow is possible on the higher Sierra Nevada passes, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
A cold front moving into the region is expected to bring a drop in temperatures along with a chance of showers on Friday and Saturday. This could result in snowfall as low as 8,000 feet in elevation, with areas from the Tahoe region south to Mammoth Lakes likely to be affected.
A weather system uncommon for this time of year impacts our area Thursday and Friday, lingering into Saturday morning.
— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) August 20, 2024
This system will bring cooler temperatures and gusty winds with chances for showers and thunderstorms primarily north of I-80. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/kBVS6mX9FD
Key areas that could see some early snow include Yosemite’s Tioga Pass, which sits at an elevation of 9,943 feet and has a 43% chance of receiving about 0.1 inches of snow, and Tuolumne Meadows, which has a 34% chance of similar snowfall.
Other high-elevation locations, such as Mount Rose summit, Carson Pass near Kirkwood, and Monitor and Sonora passes, also stand a chance of seeing snow accumulation, with precipitation chances hovering around 40% on Friday and Saturday.
South Lake Tahoe will experience a sharp drop in temperatures, with daytime highs expected to plummet from the 70s earlier in the week to the low 50s on Friday. Overnight temperatures at lake level could approach freezing Friday night, with slightly warmer conditions expected on Saturday.
