Up to 120 inches of snow is expected to fall in the Sierra Nevada region of California and Nevada over the course of one to two weeks, with ski towns like Mammoth Lakes and Truckee likely to see heavy snow accumulation.
Forecasts are warning about a series of upcoming winter storms that are predicted to bring extremely powerful weather conditions to a region of the United States. The area is expected to face hurricane-force winds and heavy snow accumulation that will build up over several days.
On February 12, 2026, Newsweek reported that a series of winter storms could «dump up to 10 feet of snow» in the high-elevation terrain in the Sierra Nevada. Models show the potential for a total of 120 inches (10 feet) falling in that area of California and Nevada over a period of one or two weeks starting on Monday, February 16. Amounts will vary significantly by location and elevation, with lower but still highly significant figures more likely in some areas.
There aren’t any major cities in the direct path of this series of storms. However, several populated ski towns are expected to see extreme levels of snowfall over the span of the systems.
Ski Towns in the Sierra Nevada Likely to See Heavy Snow:
- Mammoth Lakes, CA
- Truckee, CA
- Norden, CA
- Kirkwood, CA
- Tahoe City, CA
- Bear Valley / Angels Camp, CA
- Soda Springs, CA
- Mount Rose – Ski Tahoe (near Reno, NV)
- Diamond Peak (Incline Village, NV)
Those towns are home to thousands of residents combined, and they draw a great deal of tourism. For example, the website for Mammoth Lakes, California, states that it receives 2.8 million tourists annually, 1.3 million of which arrive in the winter season. Once these weather conditions pass, there will be lots of snow in these towns, which will be perfect for tourists. Men’s Journal’s gear editor, Adam Bible, put together a guide of the best ski and snowboard gear that has valuable information for anyone who wants to hit the slopes in California or anywhere else.