Weather
Sierra Nevada Thanksgiving Weather Alert: Snow Possible Nov. 22-28
Truckee, CA – Thanksgiving travelers heading into California's Sierra Nevada should monitor the November 22 28 weather outlook, with mountain snow, rain and potentially icy roads among the possibiliti
By Natalie Rhodes · 2026-11-15T00:38:18.931Z
Truckee, CA – Thanksgiving travelers heading into California's Sierra Nevada should monitor the November 22 28 weather outlook, with mountain snow, rain and potentially icy roads among the possibilities during one of the year's busiest holiday travel periods.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center, eight to 14 day outlooks issued Saturday, November 14, favor above normal precipitation across portions of California during Thanksgiving week.
The precipitation outlook includes parts of the state within a broader region favoring wetter than average conditions, although the strength of that signal varies by location.
These outlooks describe the probability of above normal precipitation totals over seven days. They do not predict snowfall amounts, snow levels or the timing of individual storms.
Could the Sierra Nevada See Thanksgiving Snow?
Snow remains possible across the Sierra Nevada during late November, particularly at higher elevations if Pacific moisture arrives alongside sufficiently cold temperatures.
Communities around Truckee, South Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes and the higher elevations near Yosemite National Park could experience snowfall under the right conditions.
Rain could fall at lower elevations or during warmer periods, while colder temperatures could allow precipitation to change to snow.
The outlook's generally milder temperature signal does not eliminate the possibility of freezing temperatures or mountain snowfall.
Freezing rain is another conditional possibility, although no specific ice event has been forecast.
Thanksgiving and Black Friday Travel Outlook
Thanksgiving falls Thursday, November 26, followed by Black Friday on November 27.
Drivers traveling Interstate 80 over Donner Pass, U.S. Highway 50 over Echo Summit, U.S. Highway 395 and State Route 88 over Carson Pass should monitor updated forecasts.
If snow develops, mountain roads could become slippery, visibility could deteriorate and chain controls could become necessary.
However, no specific storm, road closure or hazardous travel period has been identified.
More detailed forecasts should clarify snow levels, precipitation timing and potential highway impacts as Thanksgiving approaches.
For now, Sierra Nevada travelers should prepare for changing mountain conditions while recognizing that a Thanksgiving snowstorm remains unconfirmed.