A dangerous blizzard was on track to hit California’s powerful mountain range on Thursday, with the Lake Tahoe area expected to be impacted by late morning and Mammoth Mountain by the afternoon.
The National Weather Service office in Sacramento warned that up to 12 feet of snow could accumulate on the highest peaks of the Sierra Nevada from Thursday through Sunday. Areas with elevations above 5,000 feet could see 5 to 10 feet of snow.
The weather service office in Reno cautioned of “whiteout conditions with near zero-visibility” due to blowing snow. They advised against travel and recommended having a winter survival kit in case of being stranded.
Moving into Thursday evening and Friday, mountain travel was anticipated to be “extremely dangerous to impossible.” Wind gusts above 110 mph over the Sierra ridges could lead to tree damage and power outages.
Main routes between Southern California and Mammoth Mountain, like Highway 395, could receive 1 to 3 feet of snow with gusts up to 75 mph. Higher elevation roads to Lake Tahoe, such as Interstate 80 and Highway 50, could see up to 8 feet of snow.
Ski resorts were excited about the snowfall but cautioned about potential road closures during the storm. They expected partial or full closures on Friday and Saturday.
As the storm approached, the National Weather Service warned of deep snow, wind chills dropping below zero, and the potential for life-threatening conditions. They advised against getting stuck in the snow.
Experts like Daniel Swain advised against heading to the mountains during the storm due to dangerous road conditions. Ski resorts might need to halt chairlifts in strong winds.
The storm was expected to bring significant snowfall to the Lake Tahoe area, which has seen minimal snow this season. The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning covering a large part of the Sierra Nevada from Thursday through Sunday.
Various roadways, including Highway 101 at Ridgewood Summit and Prairie Creek Summit, were expected to be impacted by snow. Coastal areas could experience hail on Friday and Saturday, causing hazardous driving conditions.
Yosemite National Park was preparing for a blizzard similar to one in December 2021, with additional wind. The storm was set to affect California from the mountains to the coast.
In Southern California, snow was forecast for areas above 4,000 feet, with rain expected in the lower elevations. The San Francisco Bay Area was also anticipating rain and wind from Thursday through Saturday.
