Parts of California are forecast to receive several inches of late-season snow this weekend.

Winter weather advisories have been issued for portions of central California and the Greater Lake Tahoe area by the National Weather Service (NWS).

Why It Matters

The NWS is warning travelers in affected areas to take care while driving, and that commutes and weekend travel could be impacted by the snow.

What To Know

In Mono County, the NWS said accumulations of three to six inches are expected along the Sierra crest, with 10 to 12 inches possible along the highest peaks, including the White Mountains.

On the western slope of the northern Sierra Nevada and western Plumas County, up to 10 inches of snow will be possible over the highest peaks, with winds gusting up to 35 miles per hour.

Meanwhile, up to nine inches of snow are forecast for a portion of central California, the NWS said.

The heaviest snowfall is expected on Friday night and Saturday morning.

“Snow will struggle to accumulate on roadways during the daytime hours, though isolated heavy snow showers may bring greater accumulations Saturday afternoon,” the NWS said.

“The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday evening commute and weekend travel.”

The NWS warned drivers to plan for slippery road conditions and to slow down when travelling. It also warned that gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

According to meteorologists at AccuWeather, a slow-moving storm is expected to push inland from Friday into Saturday, bringing a surge of cooler, moist air across the Southwest.

Rain is also likely to develop across parts of Oregon and northern California on Friday.

What People Are Saying

The NWS office at Hanford wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “A system coming through this weekend may bring some late season snow to the Sierra Nevada Saturday afternoon.”

AccuWeather senior meteorologist Chad Merrill said in a statement: “In the central Sierra Nevada, snow levels will dip to around 5,500 feet for a time this weekend.”

He added: “That’s low enough for snow to fall and possibly stick over Donner Pass, California, along Interstate 80.”

AccuWeather meteorologist Jesse Ferrel wrote on X: “Chilly, wet and snow unusually low in California Saturday!”

What Happens Next

At the time of writing, the winter weather advisory for the area remains in effect until 11 a.m. Sunday.