Big Bear Lake's climate is Csb (Warm-summer Mediterranean) under the Köppen climate classification. In contrast to most of southern California, the Big Bear Lake region normally receives significant winter snow because of its high elevation.
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Its location at over 7,000' elevation in the San Bernardino mountain range makes for winters with snow! From the beaches of Southern California you can stand in the warm, sunny 70 degree weather and see snow on the mountains where Big Bear Lake is located.
Big Bear averages over 300 days of sunshine each year and temperatures vary throughout the seasons. Summer temperatures average 77 degrees daytime and 45 degrees at night. Winter brings about 120 inches of annual snowfall with temps in the mid-40s during the day and mid-20s at night.
Cold Water RiskWater temps in Big Bear Lake are colder than you may realize. According to NOAA, survival time is greatly reduced for someone immersed in water below 70°F, which describes Big Bear Lake for most of the year.
Big Bear also receives about 120 inches of snow annually, with most falling during the winter accompanied with highs in the mid-40s and lows in the mid-20s.
Located in the heart of Southern California - and an easy drive from Phoenix and Las Vegas - Big Bear Lake is the jewel of the San Bernardino National Forest and known for excellent fishing, snowboarding and skiing, hiking, mountain biking and so much more!
That being said, Big Bear Lake's baseline is a Caution level for the presence of algae year round. This means that there is algae present in the Lake and we discourage drinking water from the Lake and encourage you to rinse yourself and pets off after swimming in the Lake.
Test results in parts of both Lake Elsinore and Big Bear Lake confirmed the presence of harmful algal blooms, made from a group of organisms called cyanobacteria, officials said. The bluish-green-brown colored bacteria can produce potent toxins and are a health threat to humans and pets, officials said.