The National Weather Service has issued a stark warning for those planning to visit California’s Sierra Nevada this weekend. Due to an incoming severe winter storm expected to bring heavy snowfall across the region, all travel to and from the area is highly discouraged.
A series of winter storm warnings have been put into place across a significant expanse of the mountain range, particularly affecting the Interstate 80 and Highway 50 corridors. Authorities have stressed the potential dangers, advising against any non-essential travel.
From 6 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Sunday, the western slope of the northern Sierra Nevada is expected to be engulfed by a winter storm, with forecasts predicting 1 to 3 feet of snow.
The most intense snowfall is anticipated to occur from Friday night into Saturday morning, particularly affecting key transit routes like I-80 over Donner Pass and U.S. 50 over Echo Summit, crucial arteries leading into and out of the Tahoe Basin.
In addition, the far northern segment of the Sierra, including areas around Lassen Volcanic National Park, is bracing for significant snowfall from noon Friday to 5 a.m. Sunday. Predictions suggest snow accumulations of 1 to 2 feet, further emphasizing the potential for hazardous travel conditions.
The Tahoe Basin itself is set to experience a winter weather advisory over the weekend. While not as severe as a winter storm warning, Tyler Salas, a forecaster with the weather service, indicates that the eastern slopes of the Sierra will still face considerable snowfall.
Although not classified as a major winter storm for Tahoe, the incoming system is expected to be a substantial snowmaker, with estimates ranging from 3 to 8 inches around the lake and up to a foot of snow above 7,000 feet in elevation.
Salas further explains the distribution of snowfall, noting that the western slopes typically receive more snow due to the upslope flow, a factor significantly contributing to the expected conditions.
Moreover, the central Sierra, including Yosemite National Park, is also under a winter storm warning from 5 p.m. Friday to 5 p.m. Sunday. In these higher elevations, snowfall could reach an imposing 2 to 3 feet, presenting challenging, if not impossible, travel conditions.
Authorities urge residents and visitors to heed these warnings, emphasizing that the hazardous weather conditions could severely impact not only weekend plans but also the evening commute. The safety of all individuals in these regions is of utmost concern as the storm approaches.
