Blizzard Conditions Continue to Slam Northern California, Causing Travel Chaos
Blizzard conditions have persisted in Northern California, causing widespread travel disruptions and chaos. The region has been hit with damaging winds and heavy snowfall, affecting both mountain ridges and valleys. With blizzard warnings still in effect for the Sierra Nevada, approximately 6.5 million people are currently under winter weather alerts across the Mountain West.
The most extreme conditions have been witnessed at the highest elevations, where whiteout conditions and hurricane-force winds in the Sierra Nevada have made travel virtually impossible. As a result, a 70-mile stretch of Interstate 80 near the Nevada state line has been closed for over a day, stranding numerous drivers. The Weather Prediction Center has predicted extremely heavy snowfall rates of 2-6 inches per hour, combined with winds exceeding 100 mph at times, exacerbating the already treacherous conditions in the Sierra Nevada.
The weather service has also issued a warning of “high to extreme” avalanche danger in the Central Sierra and Greater Lake Tahoe area until Sunday afternoon. Forecasters anticipate a significant amount of snow, ranging from 5-12 feet along the crest of the Sierra by late Sunday. Additionally, damaging wind gusts, potentially exceeding 75 mph, are expected across the Intermountain West. These strong winds may cause downed trees and power lines, resulting in widespread power outages. The arrival of cooler temperatures will also bring snow levels down into many valleys.
As of Sunday morning, more than 12,000 homes and businesses in California were without power, a significant decrease from the earlier count of nearly 40,000. Ski fields and chairlifts have been forced to close, including popular resorts such as Palisades Tahoe, Sierra at Tahoe, and Mammoth. Some resorts have warned of delayed starts on Sunday due to the adverse weather conditions. Images shared by Sierra-at-Tahoe in Twin Bridges depicted snow piling up against the resort’s maintenance shop and a car buried under the overnight snowfall.
The National Weather Service has stated that while the intensity of the winds will decrease, additional heavy snowfall is expected throughout the day, particularly in the southern Cascades/Sierra, Wasatch, and central Rockies. The storm is projected to subside later on Sunday, only to be followed by a new system on Monday.
The combination of extreme snowfall and roaring winds has resulted in blowing snow and whiteout conditions, rendering travel “impossible,” according to the National Weather Service. The main road to Mammoth Mountain ski resort, US 395, had to be closed for several hours on Saturday due to whiteout conditions. California Highway Patrol Truckee has also announced the continued closure of I-80 between the Nevada state line and Colfax. The hazardous road conditions left several vehicles stranded on Friday, with some motorists requiring rescue. Emergency personnel and tow trucks faced significant challenges in reaching stranded motorists due to blizzard conditions.
Numerous other roadways in the area have also been closed, while some are being chain controlled, necessitating the use of chains for vehicles to proceed. California Highway Patrol shared a photo on Saturday afternoon of one of their cars stuck in the snow and advised people to avoid travel during this time and stay updated on road conditions.
In conclusion, Northern California continues to experience severe blizzard conditions, causing travel chaos and disruptions across the region. With blizzard warnings still in effect and millions of people under winter weather alerts, it is crucial for residents and travelers to exercise caution and stay informed about road closures and weather updates.
