Honestly, if you’re looking at your weather app in LA or Orange County and seeing nothing but sun, you might think Big Bear is just a warmer version of that. It’s not.
Right now, Big Bear is sitting at a crisp 35°F. That’s the reality at 8:35 AM on this Sunday, January 18. While the "mostly cloudy" sky might look like a bummer for your Instagram feed, it’s actually keeping things interesting for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.
The Temperature Rollercoaster
You’ve gotta be ready for the swing. Today’s high is expected to hit 56°F, which is actually pretty warm for mid-January. But don't let that fool you into wearing a t-shirt all day. The low is diving down to 24°F tonight.
That’s a 32-degree difference.
Basically, you’ll be stripping layers off by noon and shivering by the time you're looking for dinner in the Village. The wind is coming from the south at a gentle 3 mph, so you won't have to deal with that biting mountain chill that usually whips across the lake.
📖 Related: Why Zemi Beach House is Still the Smartest Choice on Shoal Bay East
What About the Snow?
Here is the part where I have to be the bearer of semi-bad news for the powder hounds. There is only a 10% chance of rain today. No snow is currently in the forecast for the next week.
If you were hoping for a fresh dump of "white gold," you're out of luck.
However, the resorts are making it work. Bear Mountain is reporting an 18-inch base with about 7 lifts open. It’s machine-made snow, which is a bit firmer, but the "offshore flow" everyone talks about is keeping the skies bluebird-adjacent. It’s great for "hero snow" conditions—where the sun softens the top layer just enough to make you feel like a pro.
Current Weather in Big Bear: Driving and Road Realities
Roads are the biggest headache for a holiday weekend. Period.
State Route 38 has been a mess. There’s been a full closure on weekdays for emergency storm repairs, but because it’s Sunday, it is fully open. No chains are required right now (R-0 status), but Caltrans is still telling everyone to bring them. It's the law from November through April, even if it’s 60 degrees in the sun.
Quick Road Check:
- Hwy 18 (Lucerne Valley): Open, no restrictions. This is usually the "back way" and is way less steep.
- Hwy 330/18 (Running Springs): Open, but expect heavy holiday traffic.
- Hwy 38: Open today, but Monday–Friday it shuts down from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
If you’re coming up tonight, just know that SR-38 will be open for the Monday holiday, but the closures resume Tuesday or Wednesday depending on the crew's schedule.
The Lake Situation
The water is cold. Like, "instant regret" cold.
📖 Related: Holiday Inn Express Syracuse: What Most People Get Wrong About Staying Near the Salt City
Big Bear Lake’s water temperature is hovering around 36°F to 44°F depending on which sensor you trust (the Municipal Water District usually has the most conservative reading). There's no ice on the lake yet, so don't even think about trying to walk on it. Fishing is actually decent if you hit the deep thermal areas where the fish are hiding from the surface chill.
Expert Advice for the Weekend
Look, people always ask if they should cancel when there’s no fresh snow. Kinda depends on what you want.
If you want to hike, the trails are actually in great shape because they aren't buried under three feet of slush. The "mostly cloudy" forecast for today actually helps keep the UV index low (it’s at a 0 right now), so you won't get that nasty mountain sunburn as easily.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Pack for the 20s: Even if it’s 56 during the day, that 24-degree low tonight will catch you off guard if you only brought a light hoodie.
- Check the SR-38 Schedule: If you are staying past Monday, plan your exit around the 7:00 AM closure or take Hwy 18 through Lucerne.
- Download QuickMap: Don't rely on Google Maps for mountain road closures; the Caltrans app is the only thing that’s truly accurate when a slide happens.
- Hydrate: The humidity is only 46%. You'll get a headache from the altitude and dry air way before you get tired from skiing.
Enjoy the "mostly cloudy" vibes and the easy driving conditions while they last. The weather in the mountains changes faster than your Wi-Fi signal in a cabin.