A massive blizzard is currently sweeping across the mountains in Northern California and Nevada, bringing with it the potential for up to 12 feet of snow accumulation. The severity of the storm has led to ski resorts in Lake Tahoe closing their slopes, highlighting the extreme conditions being experienced in the region.
Described as the most powerful winter storm of the season in the Sierra, the blizzard has already deposited over two feet of snow in some areas, with more snowfall expected. The primary concern has been the high winds and blizzard conditions accompanying the storm, with wind gusts reaching up to 190 miles per hour at Palisades Tahoe, just shy of the state record set in 2017.
Travel has been significantly impacted by the storm, with the main route across the Sierra from Sacramento to Reno being shut down due to dangerous conditions caused by spinouts and jackknifed trucks. The California Highway Patrol deemed it unsafe to keep the road open amidst the whiteout conditions.
Currently, Interstate 80 remains closed, and open routes in the Sierra require chains or four-wheel drive for safe passage. Ski resorts have been forced to close due to the harsh winter weather, with some planning to reopen depending on the weather conditions and wind speeds.
Looking ahead, the weather is expected to calm down slightly in the coming days, with reduced wind speeds forecasted. Snowfall is anticipated to continue, offering promising skiing conditions for the region into the following week.
