When does it snow in Big Bear Lake? This is one of the things my friend has been inquiring about as he prepares to visit the Big Bear Discovery Center.
Big Bear Lake experiences snow from the months of November to May.
The area experiences more snowfall than the rest of California due to its high altitude.
Big Bear Lake gets snow in the winter, and the city has an annual snow total of 31.22 inches (793 mm) after 16.1 snowfall days.
lake level receives less snow than the forested ridges that surround it.
Snowfall at the lake level averages 30 inches (702 millimeters) every season, but can reach 100 inches (2,500 millimeters) at elevations above 8,000 feet (2,400 meters).
In this article, I’ll answer in detail the Question “when does it snow in Big Bear Lake?”
Let’s get straight into it.
When Does it Snow in Big Bear Lake? Overview of Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake is a small municipality in San Bernardino County, California, situated on the southern shore of Big Bear Lake.
The city is located around 40 kilometers northeast of San Bernardino and directly west of Big Bear City.
Big Bear Lake has a population of 5,279 people living on its 16.64 square kilometers and is located at a high elevation of 6,752 feet (2,058 meters).
Big Bear Lake’s climate is classified as warm-summer Mediterranean bordering humid continental.
It has four distinct seasons, with summers that are warm, dry, and mainly clear, and winters that are cold, snowy, and partially cloudy.
February was the coldest month in the region, with average temperatures of 34.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 degrees Celsius).
The city’s hottest month, on the other hand, is July, with average temperatures hovering around 65.1 degrees Fahrenheit (18.4 degrees Celsius).
Does it snow in Big Bear Lake? The answer is definitely YES.
Climate of Big Bear Lake
Summers in Big Bear Lake are warm, arid, and mainly clear, while winters are bitterly cold, snowy, and partially cloudy.
Throughout the year, the temperature ranges from 22°F to 81°F, with temperatures rarely falling below 14°F or rising above 88°F.
From June to September, the warm season lasts more than three months, with an average daily high temperature above 74°F.
July is the hottest month, with average highs of 81°F and lows of 53°F.
From November to March, the cold season lasts 3.5 months, with an average daily maximum temperature of less than 51°F.
December is the coldest month at Big Bear Lake, with an average low of 23°F and a high of 44°F.
From November to May, the snowy season lasts 7 months, with a typical 31-day snowfall of at least 1 inch.
December has the most snow at Big Bear Lake, with an average snowfall of 5.8 inches.
When Does it Snow in Big Bear Lake?
Snowfall in Big Bear Lake is recorded for seven months of the year.
Snow falls in the city from January through May, as well as in November and December.
Here’s a more in-depth glance at the snowy months in the city.
November
Big Bear Lake’s autumn season comes to an end in November.
As the city begins to transition into winter, temperatures start to fall from October levels.
Temperatures in Big Bear Lake range from 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius) to 43.7 degrees Fahrenheit (6.5 degrees Celsius) in November.
November marks the beginning of snow season at Big Bear Lake, with the city recording 4.53 inches (115 mm) of snowfall after 1.2 snowfall days.
December
The first month of winter in Big Bear Lake is December, which features chilly temperatures and considerable snowfall.
Temperatures in the city are typically warm, ranging from 52.5 degrees Fahrenheit (11.4 degrees Celsius) to 37.2 degrees Fahrenheit (2.9 degrees Celsius).
Big Bear Lake receives the highest snowfall in December, with a total accumulation of 6.54 inches (166 mm) over 2.9 snowfall days.
The snowiest week in Big Bear Mountain is week 4 of December.
January
Big Bear Lake experiences another moderate month in January, with the weather conditions reported in December lasting the entire month.
The city’s temperatures are the same as in December, with highs of 54.5 degrees Fahrenheit (12.5 degrees Celsius) and lows of 38.8 degrees Fahrenheit (3.8 degrees Celsius).
During the month, Big Bear Lake receives snowfall on 2.2 days and accumulates 2.28 inches (58 mm) of snow.
February
In Big Bear Lake, February marks the end of winter.
It’s another beautiful month in the city, with pleasant temperatures and light snowfall.
Temperatures in Big Bear Lake range from 55 degrees Fahrenheit (12.8 degrees Celsius) to 39.2 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius) during the month.
Snow falls in Big Bear Lake for 3.9 days in February, accumulating to a depth of 4.84 inches (123 mm).
March
In Big Bear Lake, March marks the beginning of spring.
Temperatures in the city are reasonable and slightly higher than those reported in February.
Big Bear Lake has average temperatures ranging from 60.6 degrees Fahrenheit (15.9 degrees Celsius) to 42.3 degrees Fahrenheit (5.7 degrees Celsius) over the month.
After 3.1 snowfall days in March, the city reports a snow accumulation of 5.59 inches (142 millimeters).
April
April, the core of the spring season in Big Bear Lake, is a pleasant month.
For the month, average temperatures in the city vary from 66.6 degrees Fahrenheit (19.2 degrees Celsius) to 45.9 degrees Fahrenheit (7.7 degrees Celsius).
In April, it snows in Big Bear Lake for 1.8 days and accumulates to a depth of 6.42 inches (163 mm).
May
May marks the end of spring and snowfall in Big Bear Lake.
For the month, average temperatures in the city range from highs of 73 degrees Fahrenheit (22.8 degrees Celsius) to lows of 51.1 degrees Fahrenheit (10.6 degrees Celsius).
In May, Big Bear Lake receives 1.02 inches (26 mm) of snow after one snowfall day.
Final Thoughts on the Question: “When Does it Snow in Big Bear Lake?”
When does it snow in Big Bear Lake? The answer is from November to May.
The snowy period runs past the winter season with December experiencing the most snowfall in Big Bear Lake.
So, if you’re planning to visit Big Bear Lake during the snowy period, ensure you’ve made adequate preparations!