Snow storm updates 16th February 2026

Back-to-back-to-back storm systems – expected to be the coldest and most vigorous of the season to date – are forecast for the region between Monday 16th and Thursday 19th February 2026. The three systems will impact the San Jacinto mountains on the afternoon and night of 16th, the night of 17th, and throughout the day on 19th, with significant clearing between each, at least in the high country.

Please check this page for periodic updates – the most recent is at the top – throughout the multiday storm sequence. The next comprehensive Report update, summarizing conditions after the storms, is tentatively scheduled for Friday 20th.

UPDATE Monday 16th February 2026 at 1430

As forecast, snow started falling right as I summited San Jacinto Peak at 1130. The fine grain snow, drifting in gusty winds, is accumulating at about 0.5 inch/hour. Winds have so far not been close to the gale force that was forecasted.

The initial wave of the first storm is relatively mild, and light rain started in Idyllwild at 1230, with 0.25 inch falling by 1430. The expectation is that it will start snowing at mid elevations overnight.

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