Intense California Blizzard Disrupts Travel and Skiing Activities as Snowfall and Strong Winds Batter Mountains
Northern California faced relentless blizzard conditions causing disruptions in travel and skiing activities as fierce winds and heavy snowfall covered mountain ranges from peaks to valleys.
Over the weekend, Northern California was hit hard by blizzard conditions, bringing damaging winds and heavy snow from mountain ridges down to the valleys.
Winter weather alerts are in place for around 6.5 million people in the Mountain West region, with blizzard warnings still active for the Sierra Nevada.
The most extreme conditions are unfolding at the highest elevations in the mountains, with whiteout conditions and hurricane-force winds.
TRUCKEE, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 01: A resident uses a snowblower as snow falls north of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada mountains during a powerful winter storm on March 01, 2024 in Truckee, California. Blizzard warnings have been issued with snowfall of up to 12 feet and wind gusts over 100 mph expected in some higher elevation locations. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
A resident in Truckee, California was seen using a snowblower as snow fell north of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada mountains during a strong winter storm on March 01, 2024. Blizzard warnings have been issued, predicting snowfall of up to 12 feet and wind gusts over 100 mph in some higher elevation locations. The photo was taken by Mario Tama/Getty Images.
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Rare blizzard conditions batter California mountains with heavy snow and powerful winds, making travel dangerous
The Interstate 80 near the Nevada state line has been shut down for over a day due to heavy snowfall, leaving drivers stranded on Friday night.
According to the Weather Prediction Center, the Sierra Nevada region is experiencing extremely heavy snowfall rates of 2-6 inches an hour, along with very strong winds exceeding 100 mph. These conditions are making travel impossible in the area.
Officials have not provided an estimated time for when the reopening will occur. The weather service has issued a warning of "high to extreme" avalanche danger in the Central Sierra and Greater Lake Tahoe area until Sunday afternoon.
The Weather Prediction Center forecasted about 5-12 feet of snow to fall along the crest of the Sierra by late Sunday. Damaging wind gusts, possibly exceeding 75 mph, were also expected across the Intermountain West.
The Weather Prediction Center warned that these strong winds could down trees and power lines, leading to widespread power outages. Additionally, cooler temperatures were expected to follow the initial front, bringing snow levels down into many valleys in the West.
On Sunday afternoon, over 12,000 homes and businesses in California were without power, a decrease from the previous count of nearly 40,000, as reported by PowerOutage.us.
Additionally, several ski fields and chairlifts, such as those at Palisades Tahoe, Sierra at Tahoe, and Mammoth, were closed on Saturday. Some resorts even mentioned possible delays in starting operations on Sunday.
The ski resort Sierra-at-Tahoe in Twin Bridges shared images with CNN of snow piling up against the door of the resort’s maintenance shop and a car in the resort’s guest parking buried in snow that fell overnight.
The National Weather Service mentioned in its forecast discussion on Sunday afternoon that the intensity of the snow and high winds in the Sierra Nevada and the Intermountain West will gradually decrease by Monday. However, they also noted that more upper-level energies from the Pacific will continue to bring cold air across the western US, keeping the unstable weather conditions in place.
Mountain snow will continue to fall in the central Rockies over the next few days, with a new storm system expected to arrive on Monday after Sunday's storm passes, according to the weather service.
This will lead to whiteout conditions and extremely difficult travel conditions in the affected areas.
Residents try to clear snow around a car in Truckee on Saturday.
Residents try to clear snow around a car in Truckee on Saturday.
Extreme snowfall and strong winds in the Sierra and northern ranges have created dangerous conditions for travel, with blowing snow and whiteout conditions making it nearly impossible, according to a warning from the National Weather Service.
The main road to Mammoth Mountain ski resort, US 395, was closed for hours on Saturday due to whiteout conditions brought by the storm, as reported by the California Department of Transportation.
Snowy and windy weather on Friday led to several vehicles getting stuck on the road, with some drivers requiring assistance, according to the Truckee highway patrol office. They mentioned a large number of vehicles stuck over Donner Summit.
Emergency personnel and tow trucks faced challenges reaching motorists in blizzard conditions, as reported by the agency.
Several other roads in the area have been shut down because of the weather, with some requiring vehicles to have chains in order to travel on them.
The California Highway Patrol shared a picture on Saturday of one of their cars trapped in snow. They mentioned that even their officers can get stuck in the snow sometimes. Despite the blizzard-like conditions persisting, the officers are putting in a lot of effort to ensure everyone's safety. They advised people to avoid traveling during this time and to stay informed about road conditions.
A vehicle drives on a section of Interstate 80 which remains closed in Truckee, California, on Sunday.
A vehicle drives on a section of Interstate 80 which remains closed in Truckee, California, on Sunday.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
On Sunday morning, the highway patrol in Truckee shared a video showing snowy conditions and low visibility on a section of I-80. The highway was still closed at Colfax and the Nevada state line as of 6 a.m. Pacific Time.
Officials mentioned that there is currently no estimated time for when the highway will reopen.
Yosemite National Park closed on Friday because of the storm, but it will partially reopen to visitors on Sunday afternoon, as announced by park officials on Facebook. They mentioned that snowy conditions can be expected throughout the park.
Visitors are advised by park officials to have tire chains ready for their vehicles and to check road conditions.
According to the National Weather Service in Hanford, California, a blizzard warning is still in place for the park area until 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Editor's P/S:
The recent blizzard conditions in Northern California have left me in awe of the power of nature. The images of snow-covered landscapes and high-speed winds are both beautiful and terrifying. It's hard to imagine the challenges faced by residents and travelers during such extreme weather.
The article highlights the importance of staying informed and prepared during severe weather events. The closures of major roads and ski resorts emphasize the need to avoid unnecessary travel and prioritize safety. The efforts of emergency personnel and tow truck drivers to assist stranded motorists are commendable, showcasing the resilience and dedication of our communities in the face of adversity. As the storm subsides, it's essential for everyone to remain vigilant and follow official updates on road conditions and potential hazards to ensure a safe return to normalcy.
