Honestly, if you're looking out the window in Los Angeles or San Francisco today, January 17, 2026, you probably think winter just took a permanent vacation. It’s clear. It’s mild. It’s basically patio weather in the valleys. But up in the high country? That's a different story entirely.
People always ask "where in california is it snowing right now" like it’s a simple yes or no. In a state this big, it’s never that simple. Right now, the sky is mostly clear across the major peaks, but we are sitting on a massive, fresh base from a series of seven-foot storms that hammered the Sierra Nevada recently.
The Reality of the Sierra Snowpack Today
The "right now" part is the kicker. As of early this Saturday morning, the actual snowfall has paused. It’s a "bluebird" day, as the locals say.
If you are standing on the summit of Mammoth Mountain, you aren't seeing flakes fall from the sky this second—you’re seeing a 62-inch base and a 41°F morning. It's sunny. But the snow is everywhere. You've got nearly 100% of the mountain open.
Over at Heavenly, it’s a similar vibe. Clear skies, 38°F, and a 42-inch base. It isn't "snowing" in the sense of active precipitation, but the state is literally buried under the leftovers of a massive Christmas-to-January cycle.
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Where the Next Flakes are Dropping
So, where is the active weather? If you’re looking for falling snow, you’ve gotta look north.
- Siskiyou County: This is where the action is starting to brew. The National Weather Service has been eyeing some unsettled weather moving into Northern California.
- Mt. Shasta: While most of the state is dry today, the northern reaches are seeing more clouds. Shasta reported 12 inches in the last week and is holding a 40-inch base.
- The Polar Vortex Factor: There’s this massive disruption in the polar vortex happening right now. It's pushing arctic air south. While it’s hitting Canada and the Midwest first, forecasters are watching for that secondary push later this month that could turn the "clear and sunny" Sierra back into a whiteout.
Tahoe vs. Southern California
It’s a tale of two states.
Up in Tahoe, Palisades and Sugar Bowl are looking at highs near 48°F or 49°F today. It’s spring-like. You’ll see people skiing in hoodies. Sugar Bowl actually has about 98% of its trails open, which is wild considering the dry start we had in December.
Then you look at Southern California. Snow Valley is sitting at a whopping 71°F. Yeah, you read that right. They are surviving on machine-made snow and a prayer. If you’re heading to Big Bear or Mountain High, don’t expect a winter wonderland. It’s 59°F at Bear Mountain. The snow there is "machine groomed," which is code for "we worked really hard with the snow guns to keep this 18-inch base alive."
Why the "Atmospheric River" Talk Matters
We just came off a series of storms that bolstered the statewide snowpack to about 71% of the historical average for this date. That sounds low, but remember, December was bone dry.
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The Central Sierra is actually doing better, sitting at 77% of normal. The Southern Region is killing it at 97%. It’s a weird year. Usually, the North gets hammered and the South struggles, but the 2026 season has been upside down.
Current Mountain Stats (January 17, 2026)
| Location | Temperature | Condition | Base Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mammoth Mountain | 41°F | Sunny | 62" |
| Palisades Tahoe | 46°F | Clear | 55" |
| Mt. Shasta | 51°F | Partly Cloudy | 40" |
| Big Bear | 59°F | Clear | 24" |
Don't Get Fooled by the "Spring" Sun
It feels like spring today. I get it. But the "where in california is it snowing right now" question usually precedes a trip, and for that, you need to be careful.
The morning starts "crisp and fast" (read: icy). By the afternoon, it turns into "slush." If you’re driving I-80 or Hwy 50 today, the roads are clear. No chains needed. But that polar vortex split is real. By the final week of January, those 50-degree highs in the mountains could vanish.
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Honestly, the best snow right now isn't falling—it's the stuff that’s already on the ground. Mammoth has a season total of 156 inches already. That’s a lot of "right now" snow to play in, even if the sun is out.
Actionable Steps for Your Snow Trip
If you're planning to chase the snow this weekend:
- Go high: Stick to resorts with summits above 8,000 feet (like Mammoth or Heavenly) to avoid the slushy mess at lower elevations.
- Check the wind: Even on sunny days, ridges like those at Kirkwood can get 60 mph gusts that shut down the upper-mountain lifts.
- Watch the North: Keep an eye on the Siskiyou County forecasts. If active snow starts anywhere today, it’ll be near the Oregon border.
- Sunscreen is non-negotiable: With the high UV and the reflection off the 50-inch bases in the Sierra, you will fry in this 45-degree weather.