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California Mountains Bracing for Potentially Historic Winter Storm
11 Nov
Summary
- NWS issues winter storm watches for California mountain regions
- Up to 2 feet of snow expected above 5,000 feet, with hazardous travel conditions
- Gusty winds up to 50 mph could further reduce visibility and increase risks
On November 11, 2025, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a series of winter storm watches for California's mountain regions, as a potent storm system is expected to impact the state from late Wednesday, November 15, through Friday, November 17.
According to NWS meteorologist Stephen McCoy, the watches cover the western slopes of the Northern Sierra Nevada mountains, western Plumas County, Lassen Park, the eastern Sierra slopes, and Yosemite National Park, among other areas. Forecasters warn that these regions could see heavy snowfall, with accumulations of up to 2 feet above mountain passes.
The NWS has also cautioned that gusty winds, reaching up to 50 mph, could further reduce visibility and increase the risks to travelers. Hazardous conditions could affect mountain highways, bridges, and overpasses, potentially making travel "very difficult to impossible" during the storm.
While the exact timing and snow totals remain uncertain, the NWS has urged the public to prepare for rapidly deteriorating conditions in the higher elevations starting late Wednesday. Residents and travelers in the affected zones are advised to stay alert to further updates and consider postponing or rerouting their plans where possible.
