It's a bit early to get excited about skiing and snowboarding in California, but with a major dumping underway in the Lake Tahoe area and at Mammoth Mountain in the Eastern Sierra, the excitement is understandable.
As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, about six inches of snow had fallen on Donner Summit in the Tahoe region. Mammoth, which has pegged Nov. 10 as opening day, received lots more and snow was still falling in both regions.
More than a foot had fallen at Mammoth's main lodge, and perhaps double that amount blanketed the upper slopes. Five inches had fallen down below, in the town of Mammoth Lakes.
Tweeted pro snowboarder Greg Bretz, who lives in Mammoth: "I get to set up some rails and snowboard today."
He's not alone. But as exciting as this wintry blast may be, a quick warmup is in the forecast throughout the Sierra Nevada.
The temperature in Mammoth Lakes is expected to reach 60 degrees on Sunday, and it's supposed to reach 65 degrees in the Lake Tahoe area.
Still, this storm is being regarded as an indication that a repeat of last season and its record snow totals may be at hand, thanks to another La Niña winter. Only time will tell.
-- Photos show Mammoth Mountain's base and main lodge areas as snow was falling Wednesday morning. Courtesy of Mammoth Mountain
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