Whiteout conditions will result from heavy snowfall and strong winds. Foothill gusts will approach 55 mph, while higher elevation gusts have exceeded hurricane-force ferocity.
Whiteout conditions will result from heavy snowfall and strong winds. Foothill gusts will approach 55 mph, while higher elevation gusts have exceeded hurricane-force ferocity.
Heavy snow has buried most Sierra interstates and highways, requiring chains.
The mountain mishaps began before the snow fell. A snowplow cleared a highway wreck Thursday morning.
Snow and gusty winds are forecast for other portions of Northern California and western Nevada, including Reno, which could get a foot of snow. Carson City gets 14 inches of snow annually and could get that with this storm.
"Because the winds are so strong, rather than just hitting the windward or western side of the mountains, the snow is being carried across the entire mountain range," said Niziol. "So we're going to see heavy snowfall amounts even into a good part of Nevada."
Lake Tahoe, a major year-round destination for San Francisco Bay Area, Las Vegas, and Reno residents, is under Blizzard Warnings until Sunday at 10 a.m. PST. Lake Tahoe may receive 3–6 feet of snow, with the worst conditions forecast late Friday into Saturday. Snow is likely after that. Mountains over 5,000 feet might get 10 feet of snow.
Some Lake Tahoe ski resorts have closed for the storm, so visitors may be snowbound for a while. Strong gusts and heavy snow should subside later Sunday, but snow is expected to last into next week as the broad area of low pressure sends moisture and winds into the Sierra Nevada.
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