Predicted by forecasters to receive 10 inches or more of snow, Mammoth Mountain hit that mark in some places and fell short in others. Regardless, the top of the mountain looks positively wintry on Wednesday morning, as does the ski resort’s base area.

While most of California is likely to see minimal rain and snow over the winter, the National Weather Service’s outlook indicates that Northern California — including Sacramento, Modesto and Merced — has “equal chances” of the season being wetter, drier or around average.

A strong early season storm looks poised to bring rain and snow to Northern California early next week, but how much and when? Depends on the track.

1 to 2 feet for the broader Sierra and Lassen high terrain with up to 3 feet on the highest peaks. Exposed crest zones and backcountry ridgelines may overperform the mid-mountain resort numbers. Biggest takeaway for Tahoe is a dense base builder first, then a colder, higher-quality finish Tuesday night.

Tahoe’s largest ski resort, Palisades Tahoe, is set to open its lifts on Nov. 26. The resort received between 6 and 10 inches of snow during this week’s storm, according to Patrick Lacey, a spokesperson for Palisades Tahoe.

California braces for a winter storm like no other, with icy roads and heavy snow threatening both the north and south.

Time-lapse videos from the ALERTCalifornia and UC San Diego show snow brought on by the first major winter storm of 2025 in the Sierra Nevada.

Some areas could see a month's worth of rain by Tuesday, while the Sierra braces for several feet of early season snow.