Believe it or not ski season is underway in Southern California

Temperatures are expected to rise into the mid-80’s over the next few days but that doesn’t mean you can’t get your snow fix.

Despite our drought conditions, ski season is underway in Southern California.

The Mountain High resort in the San Gabriel Mountains opened Tuesday and Snow Summit at Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains followed on Wednesday. The Bear Mountain resort plans to open on Friday.

The open runs are covered with man-made snow, although Mountain High did get a dusting of the real thing on November 1st.

Snowmaking is possible because of cold mountain temperatures related to the dry Santa Ana winds that have been warming cities below with summerlike temperatures. The air flowing out of the western interior is cool before it heats as it descends toward the coast.

High-elevation snow is expected early next week from a forecasted storm system that will likely also bring rain to the Valley floor.