Winter Storm Watch: California Bracing for 100 mph Gusts, Up to 48 Inches of Snow

Californians, did you hear the news? It’s going to snow this weekend!

Our friends at Powderchasers are forecasting 2-3 feet of snow at places like Kirkwood, Palisades Tahoe, and Mammoth through Monday, April 13, 2026.

The National Weather Service (NWS) Reno has issued a Winter Storm Watch ahead of the storm and is warning that slick roads and strong winds will cause travel delays.

NWS Reno is predicting snow totals of 12-18 inches along the Sierra Crest, 6-10 inches for Sierra communities near lake level (6,300 feet), and wind gusts up to 40 mph with “80-100 mph on ridgetops.”

The NWS’ Winter Storm Watch lasts from Friday, April 10, through Sunday, April 12, 20-26, depending on the county. See below.

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If you’re planning to travel to the Sierra this weekend, expect chain controls and temporary closures on Saturday and Sunday.

NWS Sacramento is warning that travel could be “difficult to impossible” at times, and is predicting the storm’s impact to be “Major”, the second-highest rating on their impact scale.

NWS Sacramento is predicting 1 to 2 feet of snow above 4,500 feet, 3 to 4 feet on the highest peaks, and 2 to 4 inches of snow as low as 4,500 feet. Translation: the storm will be cold, and snow will fall from the foothills and up.

Donner Pass on I-80 and Mount Rose Highway near Incline Village could close on Saturday night when the storm is expected to ramp up. Follow CHP Truckee on social media for chain control and closure updates on Donner Pass and other North Lake Tahoe roadways.

For a more in-depth forecast, check out Powderchasers’ ski resort-specific breakdown of this weekend’s storm.

Related: Miracle Storm To Dump 2-3 Feet of Snow on California’s Ski Resorts