A rare blizzard warning was issued for the Sierra Nevada, including ski resorts at Mammoth Mountain and around Lake Tahoe, as officials urged people to avoid traveling during the treacherous weather Thursday through Sunday.
The latest forecast indicates that up to 8 feet of snow could fall. A blizzard warning was in effect from Lassen Volcanic National Park in Shasta County to Kings Canyon National Park in Fresno County.
Friday night into Saturday morning is expected to witness extreme conditions of heavy snowfall and strong winds, with snow falling at a rate of 3 to 5 inches per hour. Wind speeds at the top of California's most powerful mountain range were expected to exceed 100 mph, and residents were urged to prepare for power outages and downed trees.
“There are only so many ways we can say that it would be treacherous to travel on the roads or even leave your home during this time frame,” the National Weather Service office in Reno said. “Snow conditions are very confusing, so this is not the time to gamble with your life or the life of your family, especially during a planned ski weekend.”
The latest forecast indicates that 4 to 8 feet of snow could fall in the Tahoe Basin at elevations 7,000 feet above sea level, while 2 to 4 feet of snow could fall in towns surrounding Lake Tahoe. (Previous forecasts called for 5 to 12 feet of snow possible at elevations 5,000 feet above sea level.)
In Mono County, where Mammoth Mountain is located, there could be 3 to 6 feet of snow along the Sierra crest, and 1 to 3 feet of snow along communities along Interstate 395, the main route between Mammoth and Southern California. Wind speeds could reach 70 mph at lower elevations.
“Do not take this storm seriously. It is expected to be the strongest storm of the winter. Prepare now,” the weather service office in Reno said. “If you have to travel into the Sierra during this prolonged storm, keep a winter kit and plenty of supplies.” . Nothing like an impromptu and unsafe camping trip in your car on Donner Pass.
Meteorologists warned of the possibility of flights being postponed or cancelled. Motorists will be required to wear chains on their tires; Travelers can be confused by the whiteout conditions.
Along the two main routes taken by many visitors from the San Francisco Bay Area to the Lake Tahoe area, the highest point on Interstate 80 — Donner Pass, at about 7,000 feet — can receive 6 to 8 feet of snow. The highest point on Interstate 50 — Echo Summit — could get 5 to 7 feet of snow.
Officials also warned against traveling on any road higher than 1,000 feet in northwest California. The National Weather Service office in Eureka warned of heavy snow at elevations up to 500 feet, and warned of a “small hail threat” along the coast.
The highest point on Interstate 5 between Redding and the Oregon border — an area just north of Mount Shasta — could receive between 6 and 18 inches of snow.
Near Southern California, there is a 20% to 30% chance of up to an inch of snow along Interstate 5 over Tejon Pass, commonly referred to as the Grapevine, which connects Los Angeles County to the Central Valley.
There is also a 20% to 30% chance of 1 to 2 inches of snow along Interstate 58 over Tehachapi Pass, the main road between Bakersfield and the Mojave Desert.
A blizzard warning extended to areas of Yosemite National Park outside Yosemite Valley between Thursday afternoon and Sunday morning. Yosemite Valley — the most popular section of the national park — is facing a winter storm warning from Saturday morning through Sunday morning. Yosemite Valley could see snow and heavy snow accumulations on Saturday.
It's not clear when the Sierra storm will truly end. Meteorologists said the worst of the snow and winds could subside by Sunday, but scattered snow showers were possible.
“Monday appears to be the best setting for post-storm cleanup and travel right now, but that does not appear to be the case in terms of storm potential,” with a storm or two possible, the weather service office in Reno said. More storms next week.
Light to moderate rain is expected to begin in Los Angeles and Ventura counties either Thursday evening or Friday, and continue through at least Saturday, the National Weather Service office in Oxnard said. The storm could bring a quarter to one inch of rain along the coast and in valleys, and one to two inches in the foothills and mountains.
Snow levels in Los Angeles County could drop to 3,500 feet above sea level Saturday night into Sunday. In Wrightwood, 4 to 6 inches of snow could fall.
The San Francisco Bay Area is expected to see a return of rain and stormy weather early Thursday, continuing into Saturday, with snow levels falling to 2,000 feet above sea level.
The Sacramento Valley is expected to see strong winds, with gusts of 35 to 50 mph from Marysville in Yuba County northward, the Sacramento Weather Service office said.
