Weather
California Snow Records: 67 Inches in a Day, Winter 2026-27 Next?
Sacramento, CA – California has experienced extraordinary winter storms capable of dumping more than five feet of snow in a single day. With winter 2026 27 approaching, historical records demonstrate
By Owen Prescott · 2026-10-21T12:57:17.905Z
Sacramento, CA – California has experienced extraordinary winter storms capable of dumping more than five feet of snow in a single day. With winter 2026 27 approaching, historical records demonstrate why even warmer seasonal conditions cannot eliminate the threat of extreme snowfall across the Golden State.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Echo Summit in El Dorado County recorded 67 inches of snow Jan. 5, 1982, the highest one day measurement in the supplied California county records.
Other historic storms have produced enormous accumulations across the Sierra Nevada, Northern California and the state's higher mountain communities.
California's 10 Biggest Single Day Snowfall Records The following list identifies the highest one day measurements from 10 separate reporting dates in NOAA's county level records. Multiple counties reporting snowfall on the same date are grouped together rather than counted as separate events.
1. Jan. 5, 1982: Echo Summit, El Dorado County — 67.0 inches . 2. March 31, 1982: Twin Lakes, Alpine County — 65.0 inches . 3. Jan. 2, 1901: Yreka, Siskiyou County — 63.0 inches . 4. March 9, 2023: Yosemite National Park's south entrance, Mariposa County — 60.0 inches . 5. Jan. 19, 1933: Giant Forest, Tulare County — 60.0 inches . 6. April 3, 1958: Squaw Valley, Placer County — 49.0 inches . 7. Dec. 21, 1996: Sagehen Creek, Nevada County — 48.1 inches . 8. Jan. 29, 1968: Chester, Plumas County — 48.0 inches . De Sabla in Butte County recorded 45 inches during the same date. 9. Dec. 24, 1979: Buckhorn, Shasta County — 48.0 inches . 10. Dec. 6, 1966: White Mountain 2, Mono County — 44.0 inches . Why California's Snowfall History Matters California's geography creates dramatically different winter weather conditions.
The Sierra Nevada can receive extraordinary snowfall when moisture rich Pacific storms encounter freezing temperatures at higher elevations.
Meanwhile, coastal communities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco generally experience mild winters, although nearby mountain ranges can receive substantial snowfall.
The January 1982 record demonstrates how quickly snow can accumulate in the Sierra Nevada, creating dangerous travel conditions and potentially isolating mountain communities.
Heavy snowfall can also affect major transportation routes, including Interstate 80, U.S. Highway 50 and mountain highways connecting communities across the state.
What Could This Mean for Winter 2026 27? El Niño can influence winter precipitation patterns across California, sometimes increasing the potential for moisture rich Pacific storm systems, particularly in Southern California.
However, El Niño does not guarantee heavy snowfall, and warmer seasonal temperatures can raise snow levels, causing more precipitation to fall as rain at lower elevations.
When sufficiently cold air combines with powerful Pacific storms, California's mountains can still experience exceptional snowfall.
Historical records cannot predict whether winter 2026 27 will bring another record breaking storm. They demonstrate that even relatively warm winters can contain dangerous, high impact snowfall events.
For California residents, especially those traveling through mountain passes, the lesson is clear: Seasonal warmth does not eliminate the possibility of extreme winter weather.