How much snow has fallen in Sierra Nevada so far? See latest Tahoe storm totals
An atmospheric river recently swept through Northern California, delivering days of gray skies, gusty winds, steady rain and mountain snow.
As ski resorts across Northern California prepare to open for the 2025-26 winter season, several have already recorded their first significant snow of the year.
The Sierra Nevada, including the Lake Tahoe region, has received heavy amounts of snowfall recently, the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Laboratory reported.
As of Thursday, Nov. 20, the laboratory at Donner Pass had received 11.6 inches of snow over the past seven days.
Here’s a look at how much snow has fallen so far in the Tahoe area — and how much more is on the way:
How’s the snowpack looking so far in California?
Although the Old Farmer’s Almanac and the National Weather Service’s three-month outlook for November through January indicated “below normal” chances of precipitation, this season has had a stormy start.
Several storms have swept through Northern California, bringing inches of rain and snow.
As of Thursday, Nov. 20, snowpack levels in Northern California and across the state remained “below average,” the California Department of Water Resources indicated on its website, compared to the average snow water equivalent of 1.51 inches.
The current water season, which began Oct. 1, has brought some improvement, with overall precipitation totaling 10.6 inches in the northern Sierra Nevada — above the historical average for this period.
The “average” is based on data from 1991 to 2020, according to the department.
Is more snowy weather on its way to Northern California?
According to the National Weather Service, more snow is on its way to the Sierra Nevada.
Snow was forecast to begin Wednesday, Nov. 19, “with heaviest precipitation expected Thursday morning over the mountains and northern Sacramento Valley,” the weather agency said on X.
The northern Sierra could see roughly 2 to 8 inches of snow from this system.
“Snow will continue through this evening and is expected to be the last for at least the next 7-10 days,” the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab said in a Thursday, Nov. 20, post on X.
How much snow has fallen at Tahoe-area ski resorts?
As of Thursday, Nov. 20, here’s how much snow has fallen at ski and snowboarding resorts in Tahoe so far this season, according to their websites:
- Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe: 12 to 19 inches
- Boreal Mountain Resort: 7 to 10 inches
- Heavenly Ski Resort: 24 inches
- Sugar Bowl Resort: 20 to 25 inches
- Bear Valley Mountain Resort: 27 inches
- Palisades Tahoe: 4 to 9 inches
- Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort: 6 inches
- Diamond Peak Ski Resort: 19 inches
- Kirkwood Ski Resort: 4 to 15 inches
When do Tahoe-area ski resorts open for 2025-26 winter season?
Resorts from South Lake Tahoe to Truckee are aiming to open for skiers and snowboarders as early as Friday, Nov. 21, depending on snowfall.
With more storms moving through the Sierra Nevada, officials warn that opening dates for Tahoe-area ski resorts could change.
Visitors should check directly with each resort before finalizing travel plans.
Here’s a look at the announced opening dates for Tahoe-area ski resorts, according to their websites:
- Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe: Friday, Nov. 21
- Boreal Mountain Resort: Friday, Nov. 21
- Heavenly Ski Resort: The opening was originally scheduled for Friday, Nov. 21, but a new date has not been announced.
- Northstar California Resort: The opening was originally scheduled for Friday, Nov. 21, but a new date has not been announced.
- Sugar Bowl Resort: Friday, Nov. 28
- Bear Valley Mountain Resort: Friday, Nov. 28
- Palisades Tahoe: Wednesday, Nov. 26
- Granlibakken Tahoe: Thursday, Nov. 27
- Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort: Friday, Nov. 28
- Soda Springs Mountain Resort: Friday, Nov. 28
- Tahoe City Winter Sports Park: Saturday, Nov. 29
- Diamond Peak Ski Resort: Dec. 4
- Kirkwood Ski Resort: Dec. 5
- Homewood Mountain Resort: Dec. 12
- Tahoe Donner: Dec. 19
- Donner Ski Ranch: Early December
How full are California lakes and reservoirs?
According to the latest data from the California Department of Water Resources, California’s reservoirs were holding about 22.8 million acre-feet of water as of Thursday, Nov. 20.
That’s roughly 114% of what they usually hold at this time of year, meaning storage levels are above average.
Here are current conditions for California’s major water supply lakes and reservoirs as of Thursday:
- Shasta Lake — 58% of capacity
- Lake Oroville — 52%
- New Bullards Bar Reservoir — 63%
- Folsom Lake — 45%
- Camanche Reservoir — 72%
- New Melones Lake — 67%
- Lake McClure — 61%
- Pine Flat Lake — 29%
- Millerton Lake — 51%
- Castaic Lake — 78%
- Diamond Valley Lake — 94%
- Lake Casitas — 91%
- Lake Cachuma — 77%
- San Luis Reservoir— 56%
- Lake Sonoma — 59%
- Trinity Lake — 73%
This story was originally published November 20, 2025 at 11:05 AM.
