While some California mountains are wrapping up their summer and fall seasons of mountain biking and other non-winter activities, the snow has already arrived at many others — with Mother Nature laying down the first few inches of powder that will become a winter wonderland in a matter of weeks.
While it’s still too early to tell precisely when the mountains will begin to welcome skiers and snowboarders, many of the state’s larges resorts have already announced tentative opening dates.
Mammoth Mountain — which has already seen 16 inches of snow fall this season — has the earliest opening date: Nov. 14. Mammoth saw over a foot of snow fall during the October storm.
Things have also been snowy in the Lake Tahoe area.
The storm dumped 10 inches of snow on the upper mountain at Palisades Tahoe in just 48 hours. The resort plans to welcome skiers and riders on Nov. 26.
Despite the stormy start to fall, forecasters say it’s still a tossup whether this winter will be a particularly snowy one.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center’s most recent forecast puts about equal chances for a winter defined by above-normal and below-normal precipitation across much of the state.
In Southern California, however, NOAA’s forecast is leaning toward below-normal levels of precipitation.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center’s seasonal precipitation outlook. (NOAA)
The forecasters also predicted above-normal temperatures in the state from November through January.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center’s seasonal temperature outlook. (NOAA)
Here’s a rundown of the current estimated opening days at California’s ski resorts. Note the days are subject to change based on snowfall and other weather conditions: