"Sierra Nevada" literally translates to "Snowy Mountain Range" in Spanish.

Sierra: In Spanish, "sierra" means "saw" or "jagged mountain range," referring to the serrated appearance of many mountain ranges.
Nevada: In Spanish, "nevado" means "snowy" or "snow-covered."

Therefore, "Sierra Nevada" directly translates to "Snowy Mountain Range," accurately reflecting the characteristic snow cover on these mountains, especially during the winter months.