Wednesday September 30, 2026
Sacbee—
The start of fall brings changing leaves, pumpkin spice favorites and cooler temperatures. For many Californians, it also means the first snowfall of the season could be on the horizon.
According to the Farmers’ Almanac’s latest forecast, the timing of the first significant snow will vary widely across California depending on elevation and location. “For many people, the first snowfall is the moment the season really changes,” the Farmers’ Almanac said in its Sept. 11 forecast. This year, a strengthening El Niño could push California’s first snowfall later than usual, particularly at lower elevations, according to Sean Macaday, a meteorologist for The Sacramento Bee. Whether you’re looking forward to hitting the slopes or building a snowman, here’s when and where snow could arrive in California in 2026.
The Farmers’ Almanac expects the first significant snowfall to arrive at different times across California. Areas of Northern California, including Siskiyou, Modoc, Lassen, Plumas, Sierra and Placer counties, could begin seeing significant snow as early as late November. Farther south, including Mono and Inyo counties, the first significant snowfall could arrive in December, according to the Farmers’ Almanac. The timing can vary significantly from year to year. “Elevation, latitude, nearby bodies of water and the weather pattern in a particular year can move the first snow considerably earlier or later,” the Farmers’ Almanac said.