Sierra highway passes close as late-season snowstorm moves in

A cold, late-season storm is expected to drop snow in the Sierra Nevada this week as it slowly spins over Northern California.

The National Weather Service forecasts up to 4 inches of snow in the higher elevations of the Sierra, with a slushy inch or two possible in Lake Tahoe. The best chance of accumulation is Tuesday and Wednesday nights when temperatures drop below freezing, but snow showers are possible any time of day, particularly in the afternoons.

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Caltrans announced temporary closures of highway passes ahead of the anticipated snow. Highway 4 (Ebbetts Pass), Highway 89 (Monitor Pass) and Highway 108 (Sonora Pass) closed at noon Tuesday, with a reopening date to be determined after the storm passes.

Tioga Pass and Tioga Road, the extension of Highway 120 that runs through Yosemite National Park, will also close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Tioga Pass is often closed at this time of year anyhow, but it had opened earlier than usual due to the winter's light snowfall.

Road temperatures on Interstate 80 and Highway 50 were well above freezing as the storm moved in Tuesday, making accumulating snow on pavement less likely. However, persistent heavy snow could rapidly cool pavement for briefly slushy conditions. Accumulations are more likely on grass and dirt.

Mammoth Mountain on Tuesday announced an extension of its ski season through June 7 in part due to the anticipated snowy weather.

Snow isn't the only weather hazard warned in the mountains this week. Thunder, lightning, small hail and drastic temperature swings are possible.

"This temperature ‘whiplash' (and the mountain snow chances) tends to catch people with plans to recreate outdoors off-guard," the weather service said in a social media post.

Sierra snow chances are expected to be greatest through Thursday before the cold system drifts away from California. However, another disturbance over the weekend could bring another dose of adverse mountain weather.

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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 7:24 PM.