Winter Storm Hits the Western United States: On Saturday, a winter storm that might dump several feet of snow on the Sierra Nevada blew down trees, blocked mountain roads, and caused flood watches and avalanche warnings from the coast of Northern California to Lake Tahoe. It is predicted that the severe storm system will shift its course to the east during the next few days.
From north of Reno to south of Yosemite National Park, a winter storm warning covered over 250 miles of the Sierra and was expected to last through Sunday night or early Monday. There might be as much as 4 feet of snow in the higher mountains near Lake Tahoe by the end of the weekend, and as much as 6 feet in the more remote portions of the Sierra to the north and south.
A statement from the National Weather Service said, “impacts will be extended from north to south with multiple winter weather-related advisories in force.” The weather service predicted 12–24 inches of snow for the Pacific Northwest, Northern Rockies, Great Basin, and California, with the Sierra Nevada receiving the “heaviest snowfall.”
From Colfax, California to the Nevada state line, a 70-mile stretch of eastbound U.S. Interstate 80 was closed “because of zero visibility,” according to transportation officials. In the remaining mountainous sections of I-80 between Reno and Sacramento, chains were necessary.
The highway patrol said that heavy snowfall has also closed a section of California State Route 89 between Tahoe City and South Lake Tahoe. According to an avalanche warning issued by the United States Forest Service, “several feet of new snow and strong winds will result in dangerous avalanche conditions” in the mountains west of Lake Tahoe.
Sonoma County was hit by winds of up to 50 miles per hour on Saturday, and the National Weather Service predicts that speeds in the Sierra ridgetops might reach 100 miles per hour by early Sunday. From San Francisco to the Sierra crest, heavy rain was expected to continue over the weekend, with up to 2 inches predicted for the Bay Area and up to 5 inches predicted for Grass Valley northeast of Sacramento.
Curious what the radar might look like the next couple of days with the major winter storm expected? Here’s a simulated radar projection from our high-resolution rapid refresh model showing what is expected to be a pretty significant storm for our area. #CAwx ⛈️ pic.twitter.com/KR4HS8NWwO
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) December 11, 2022
After several hours of rain on Saturday, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for areas south of Monterey and further south of Big Sur that had been damaged by recent wildfires. Around Sacramento, more than 30,000 people lost power early Saturday morning, but by evening, almost all had it back on.
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As reported by the Sacramento Bee, all occupants of five vehicles that became wedged between fallen power wires managed to free themselves without injury. Authorities in the San Francisco Bay Area stated that numerous people lost electricity and trees fell, damaging vehicles and residences. Several reports of trees falling on houses were received by firefighters in Monte Rio, a tiny village along the Russian River in Sonoma County, as a result of the storm’s 50 mph winds.
Updated look at the winter storm that will move through the region Sun into early Tue. Follow @NWSLasVegas @NWSFlagstaff @NWSTucson @NWSSanDiego for more details! #azwx #cawx
Rain/snow amounts have decreased a little, though enough will fall to potentially impact travel Mon. pic.twitter.com/5eMdON3dBm
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) December 11, 2022
CBS San Francisco reported that a large redwood tree collapsed in Golden Gate Park, requiring race officials to make adjustments to the route for the National Club Cross Country Championships. The Sierra had roughly 10 inches of snowfall by Saturday afternoon, adding to the existing 10-foot base at the Yosemite-area Mammoth Mountain ski resort.
Resort spokeswoman Lauren Burke lamented, “It seems like every week or so, another significant storm rolls in.” Heavy rain is predicted for parts of Southern California on Sunday. The meteorological service has predicted that the foothills of Los Angeles County might receive up to 6 inches of rain.
Travel plans the next couple days? Plan ahead now for winter storm conditions ☃️☔️🥶 BEFORE you head out. Visit @CaltransHQ for the latest road conditions: https://t.co/OVnX8tFLs4 #CAwx
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) December 11, 2022
According to the forecast service, the system will intensify into a “large-scale and substantial storm” early next week, bringing heavy snow, rain, and severe weather to the central and southern United States. On Sunday, the snow will move into the higher elevations of the central Rockies and Arizona, where accumulations of 6–12 inches are predicted to last into early Monday morning.
One Weather Channel meteorologist, Dr Greg Postel, called it a “highly impactful system from coast to coast.” Postel predicted that on Tuesday, severe weather would hit regions of Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Postel also noted that tornadoes might be sent to the southern United States by the storm front.
Heavy mountain snow & Valley & foothill rain will continue overnight through tomorrow. Significant mountain travel impacts continue, including road closures. Localized road flooding will remain possible. Avoid mountain travel! Check road conditions: https://t.co/6jnhwJNN7a #CAwx pic.twitter.com/uBvH0opOap
— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) December 11, 2022
Postel described the situation as “basically, pretty terrible weather sweeping across the South,” and a “blizzard” in the Northern Plains. The NWS Weather Prediction Center warned on Tuesday and Wednesday that “travel may be impossible” in some portions of South Dakota due to the potential for “blizzard .”
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