Bay Area, Tahoe Brace for Incoming Rain, Snow Storms

The late-season weather change could provide a final chance for skiers to hit the slopes.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:58pm by Ben Kaplan

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A vast, majestic landscape painting depicting a snow-covered mountain range under a dramatic, cloudy sky. The towering peaks and deep valleys convey the overwhelming scale and power of the natural environment.The incoming storms could provide a final chance for skiers to experience the sublime beauty and raw power of the High Sierra before the winter season comes to a close.San Francisco Today

After an exceptionally warm and dry March, the Bay Area and Tahoe region are bracing for a change in the weather this week. Incoming rain and snow storms could bring much-needed precipitation, but also pose challenges for the dwindling ski season.

Why it matters

The late-season storms are crucial for the region's snowpack, which has been severely depleted after an unusually warm and dry March. While the rain and snow could provide a final opportunity for skiers, the recent warm temperatures may make it difficult for the new snow to stick.

The details

A series of storm systems are expected to move into the region starting on Monday, with the potential for up to a quarter-inch of rain across the Bay Area and up to a foot of snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains by the end of the week. However, the recent warm temperatures have melted much of the existing snowpack, making it uncertain how long the new snow will last.

  • The first storm system is expected to bring a chance of rain across the Bay Area on Monday and Tuesday.
  • A second, colder storm system is forecast to arrive on Wednesday and Thursday, bringing the region's 'best chance for rain'.
  • By the end of Thursday, the storms could drop up to a foot of snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

The players

Dylan Flynn

A meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Bay Area office.

Carly Mangan

A spokesperson for Vail Resorts in Tahoe.

Gigi Giralte

A meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Reno office.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'It's not like we barely beat the records, either — we really shattered the records.'”

— Dylan Flynn, meteorologist

“'You can never count on winter to be done in the High Sierra.'”

— Carly Mangan, spokesperson for Vail Resorts in Tahoe

What’s next

After this week's storms, temperatures are expected to spike back above normal levels, potentially signaling the end of the ski season for many Tahoe resorts.

The takeaway

The late-season storms could provide a much-needed boost to the region's depleted snowpack, but the recent warm temperatures may make it difficult for the new snow to stick around. This highlights the challenges facing the ski industry as climate change continues to impact winter weather patterns.