Mammoth Mountain Weather Forecast & Discusion

12-27 Summary: A weakening low-pressure systems cold front has now passed. Expect decreasing snow showers this morning. The very strong winds should also back off to a more reasonable level by this afternoon.

The Mammoth area will experience some short-wave ridging later today into Saturday before the next weather system moves in Saturday night into Sunday. Snowfall from the next system looks in the 1-3 inch range from the Main Lodge to the Top, with more in the wind-loading areas.

If you’re out on the hill today, expect cloudy skies, decreasing snow showers, and some clearing later in the day.

Temperatures at the first chair will be in the upper 20s to lower 30s, and mid-day temperatures will be in the mid to upper thirties from Canyon Lodge to Main Lodge.

The wind from Canyon Lodge up to Main Lodge will be out of the Southwest at 35 to 40 mph, decreasing to 25 to 30 mph in the afternoon. The wind over the mid and upper Mountain will have gusts in the 45-65 MPH ranges this morning, decreasing to 40-50 MPH by the afternoon hours.

For Saturday, expect mostly clear skies. Temperatures at the first chair will be in the upper 20s to lower 30s, and mid-day temperatures will be in the lower 40s from Canyon Lodge to Main Lodge. With mid to upper 30s over the Top of the Mountain.

Winds on the Lower Mountain will be Southwest around 10 mph. Over the Mid and Upper Mountain from 9500 feet up, winds will be southwest at 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35-45 mph.

On Sunday, snow showers are likely at times. The midday temperature will be near 36. Winds will be Southwest at 20 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45-55 mph.  

Steve Taylor – Snowman

FYI: Locals & Travelers: There are no major snowfall events forecasted right through the holidays, just some nice refreshing snowfall at times. Enjoy the winter wonderland.

Looking at the extended fantasy outlook for next week and out through the first 10 days of January, it looks like Ridge City, for the most part, with well below-average snowfall expected.

Over the years, patterns like this have lasted about three weeks. The longer-range ECM weeklies do have some decent snowfall after that, but confidence in any change or snowfall that far out is always low.

Steve Taylor – The Snowman