California Braces for 100mph Winds and 12ft of Snow in Intense Storm
California is currently facing the brunt of a powerful storm, with 100mph winds and heavy snowfall causing chaos across the state. The storm, which began over the weekend, has already dropped over 7ft of snow in some areas, leading to the closure of highways and ski resorts. The blizzard-like conditions have made it extremely dangerous for people to venture out, with whiteout conditions prevalent in mountainous regions.
While the worst of the storm has passed through the Sierra Nevada by Monday morning, the National Weather Service office in Sacramento has predicted that more snow is on its way. Scattered thunderstorms are also likely, and higher elevations could see an additional 2 feet of snow. Communities in the region are currently digging out from under the snowdrifts, some of which have reached the roofs of homes and trapped people inside.
Despite the challenges posed by the storm, power has mostly been restored to the affected areas. Over the weekend, more than 40,000 homes experienced power outages, but by Monday, that number had significantly decreased to around 7,500. However, utility tracker poweroutage.us reports that there are still customers without power.
One of the most affected areas is Lake Tahoe, where the Palisades Tahoe ski resort was forced to close due to the excessive snowfall, strong winds, and low visibility. The resort reported a three-day snow total of 8 feet. Although they plan to reopen on Monday, it is uncertain whether they will be able to do so.
Videos and images posted online showcase the magnitude of the storm’s impact. Satellite imagery captured thick snow bands shifting across the western United States, while footage from the Sugar Bowl Ski resort near Norden, California revealed that they received so much snow that they couldn’t even open their front door.
Unfortunately, this is not the end of the extreme weather for California. Meteorologist Jason D. Farhang warns that another storm is approaching, albeit milder than the previous one. He predicts a moderate cold front forming within the next 12 to 24 hours, with rainfall amounts ranging from 0.45in to 1.2in.
The aftermath of the storm has left more than 100 miles of Interstate-80 closed, with no estimated time for reopening. Transport crews have been struggling to clear the highways as many blowers and plows have broken down due to the massive amounts of snow.
As California battles through this intense storm, it is crucial for residents to stay safe and heed the warnings and advisories issued by local authorities. The state is known for its beautiful weather, but occasionally, nature reminds us of its power and unpredictability.
