The eleventh storm of winter 2024/25 – forecast to produce the most precipitation this winter – is moving across the San Jacinto mountains between Thursday 13th and Friday 14th March 2025.
Please check this page for periodic updates – the most recent is at the top – throughout the multiple day storm sequence. The next comprehensive Report update, summarizing conditions during and after the storm, is planned for late on Saturday 15th March.
UPDATE Friday 14th March at 1600
Snowfall has been very light for much of the day at all elevations, with only 1.5 inches accumulating in Idyllwild, and no more than two inches at both Long Valley (8500 ft) and San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft). Total accumulation at the Peak is now 40-45 inches, and 10-12 inches in Idyllwild (although slow melting is already underway this afternoon).
UPDATE Friday 14th March at 1035
After a clear night, light snow started again just after 0800 this morning. Accumulation rates are slow at both high and mid elevations, barely 0.25 inch/hour. This snowfall is forecast to continue most of today, with 3-4 inches expected at all elevations above about 5000 ft. There was significant melting overnight and this morning below 5000 ft, with snow cover now thin and patchy at 4000-4500 ft.
UPDATE Thursday 13th March at 1925
Total snow accumulation from the storm today has been 9.0 inches in Idyllwild, with snowfall rates dropping to about 0.5 inch/hour for much of the afternoon, then stopping before dusk. Storm total at San Jacinto Peak is 13-14 inches, for a total depth just over 40 inches.
A secondary storm tomorrow is forecast to be accompanied by very strong winds (and hence severe drifting) in the high country. Light snowfall throughout most of the daylight hours on Friday will include 3-4 inches at the highest elevations, with 4-6 inches at mid elevations (such as Idyllwild), and with the freeze level remaining around 4000 ft.
UPDATE Thursday 13th March at 1025
Fresh snowfall at San Jacinto Peak since last night has been about 10 inches, for a current total depth near 40 inches. Long Valley (8500 ft) has added 7-8 inches this morning.
Rainfall in the early hours of the morning in Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) was 0.37 inch by 0700, having turned to snow around 0630. Snowfall rates have neared an impressive two inches per hour, with 6.0 inches accumulating between 0630-1000.
With significant fresh snowfall now down below 4500 ft elevation, almost all the PCT in the San Jacinto mountains (Miles 151-197) is now covered with at least several inches of fresh snowfall. This will make for heavy postholing everywhere, even below 7000 ft, and snowshoes would be ideal above that elevation (potentially much lower).
Further significant snow is expected throughout today and again on Friday. That said, melting will be rapid at all elevations with temperatures abruptly swinging to above seasonal by Sunday 16th, and remaining (relatively) warm for much of next week.
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