The good news: Sensational powder ahead. The bad news: Polar temps and bad roads coming first

Mammoth and Lake Tahoe looked like snow globes Tuesday after winter storms graced the resort areas the past few days, and an even bigger blast is expected to roll in Wednesday night, reaching from the Northern Sierra to the resorts that rim Los Angeles.

Bring chains and emergency kits with extra food if you’re traveling near California mountains the next few days.

The biggest snows, driven by high winds, will roll into Tahoe on Wednesday night and bash Mammoth before sunrise Thursday morning. The storm is accompanied by polar air. Highs on Friday and Saturday are expected to reach only into the teens and 20s.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning through Saturday morning and warned travelers that conditions could be lethal for those who are unprepared.

But the March Miracle that California resorts were hoping for seems to be developing fast. Arriving like a lion, the storm system is expected to dump 5 feet along the Sierra crest, and several feet on the slopes in Mammoth and Tahoe. Highway 395, the main pipeline through the Eastern Sierra, is expected to see at least a foot of snow.

Ski conditions were finally top notch across California on Tuesday. Snow Valley, less than 2 hours from L.A., received 8 inches overnight Monday, and more was falling Tuesday. The new snow comes atop 9 inches received last week.

Big Bear was touting 8 inches of fresh light powder as well.

If you’re going to Mammoth for the weekend, leave Wednesday, under sunny skies. By late Wednesday, the storm system will begin to make driving treacherous.

California road condition hotline: (800) 427-7623.

The Sierra forecast

Wednesday night: Snow developing, turning heavy after 10 p.m.

Thursday: Snow. Highs around freezing. South winds 20 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph.

Friday: More snow. Highs in mid-20s.

Saturday: Snow tapering by late morning. Mostly cloudy, with highs in mid-20s.

Sunday-Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 30.

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