A life-threatening snowstorm is brewing along the mountain range between California and Nevada this weekend, dumping up to 10 feet of snow in some areas and making travel dangerous.
Winter weather has closed Yosemite and the National Weather Service has issued a warning against visiting ski resorts. Snow accumulation in Lake Tahoe is expected to reach 6 feet, but could be higher in higher elevations. Forecasters warned that driving conditions could be considered “extremely dangerous or impossible” due to poor visibility and whiteout conditions.
Avalanche danger remains high in the eastern Sierra Nevada until Sunday evening, according to the NWS Reno station. Wind gusts exceeded 190 mph at the summit.
More than 11,000 NV Energy customers in northern Nevada lost power during Saturday's storm, the utility announced.
Blizzard restricts travel to California mountains
As of 5:30 a.m. local time Saturday, California Highway Patrol Truckee Westbound traffic on Interstate 80 is being turned around at the Nevada state line, and eastbound traffic on I-80 is being turned around at Colfax, about 80 miles northeast of Sacramento, the agency said. Several other roads in and out of the Sierra Nevada Mountains will also be closed until further notice.
Californians are advised against traveling to Sierra Nevada ski resorts through the weekend. NWS Bay Area said the office.
Meanwhile, Yosemite National Park will be closed until at least Sunday afternoon, the National Park Service announced. Portions of Generals Highway east of Fresno into Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park are also closed due to the winter storm.
Snow is expected to continue in the Sierra Nevada through Wednesday, with drier conditions possible later in the week, NWS Reno said.
Severe weather in other parts of the US
The storm is expected to bring more widespread rain to the East Coast on Saturday, with thunderstorms affecting parts of the Southeast and bringing rain to Southern California.
A storm system from the central Gulf Coast that impacted the southern Appalachians and Ohio Valley reached the East Coast on Friday, according to the NWS.
“Localized heavy rain is possible, especially north of the interior southern border and along the Carolina coast,” the weather service said.
Forecasters are warning people traveling to the Pocono Mountains and northern New Jersey where ice and snow is possible.
The system is expected to leave the New England coast by Sunday morning.
Heavy precipitation and storms are possible across parts of the Southeast coast into North Florida and the Florida Panhandle through Sunday, the agency said.
Rain is expected to fall across the U.S. and in Southern California this weekend, with snow expected to fall in higher elevations. Strong southwesterly winds are also expected, and advisories and strong wind warnings have been issued. interior section Until Saturday.
US Weather Watches and Warnings
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