California’s life-threatening blizzard persists, with more snow expected in Sierra Nevada
OAN’s Elizabeth Volberding
10:35 AM – Sunday, March 3, 2024
The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings for California’s Sierra Nevada, and the snowfall is expected to continue increasing throughout Sunday.
Since Thursday, the Sierra Nevada area in California has been hit by relentless blizzard conditions. As a result, a significant portion of Interstate 80 has been closed, and residents have been urged to find shelter due to the dangerous combination of strong winds and heavy snowfall.
The National Weather Service reported a whiteout on Saturday, with over three inches of snow falling every hour and winds exceeding 100 mph, making travel impossible in the area.
A second, less intense system is expected to bring more snow on Monday, but for now, the massive blizzard continues to pound the Sierra Nevada mountains.
This storm, which has lasted for several days, has forced the closure of national parks, ski resorts, and a section of a major freeway in California.
High-elevation areas could see up to 10 feet of snow, posing a life-threatening risk to residents of Lake Tahoe and nearby regions, according to National Weather Service meteorologist William Churchill.
By Sunday night, the area is expected to receive between five and twelve feet of snow, with higher elevations experiencing more snowfall and lower elevations likely seeing rain.
Millions of people from California to Colorado are being impacted by wind gusts exceeding 50 mph, even in areas with less snowfall.
With more blizzard and winter storm warnings expanding to Northern California and Nevada, this is the most significant snowstorm of the season.
The weather service has issued a “HIGH to EXTREME avalanche danger” in the backcountry until Monday morning in the central Sierra slopes, including the Lake Tahoe area.
The primary highway connecting Reno and Sacramento, Interstate 80, remains closed with no estimated reopening time, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Power outages caused by the storm have affected thousands of customers in the affected areas, as reported by /articles/3931-pg-e-responding-significant-winter-storm” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Pacific Gas & Electric. Downed power lines and fallen trees continue to pose hazards in the region.
According to PowerOutage.us, as of Sunday morning, 14,700 power users in California are still without electricity.
“We’re going to work diligently to keep the community and the public safe,” said Dave Ebbert, a supervisor for the utility business operating in the Sierra region. “We’re going to restore power safely in the most timely manner possible.”
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How can emergency services efficiently prioritize their resources and response to handle the overwhelming number of calls for assistance during such severe weather conditions?
Efficient manner possible.”
Emergency services have been overwhelmed with calls for assistance, including reports of accidents, stranded motorists, and power outages.
The heavy snowfall is not only affecting transportation and power, but it also poses a significant risk of avalanches. The Sierra Avalanche Center has issued avalanche warnings for the region, urging people to avoid backcountry areas and stay safe indoors.
The storm is expected to gradually weaken and move out of the area by Monday evening, but the aftermath of the blizzard will likely be felt for days to come. Cleanup efforts and repairs to infrastructure will be necessary to restore normalcy in the affected areas.
Local officials are cautioning residents to stay informed about changing weather conditions and follow any evacuation orders or safety advisories issued by authorities.
As California and neighboring states continue to grapple with the impacts of this massive winter storm, it serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of extreme weather events. Climate change and its effects on weather patterns further highlight the need for proactive measures to mitigate and adapt to these challenges.
References:
- “National Weather Service.” NOAA’s National Weather Service – Graphical Forecast, NOAA’s National Weather Service, 5 Jan. 2022, www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/hpcdiscussions.php?disc=pmdspd.
- “California is Getting Wrecked by a Massive Snow Storm.” Twitter, Collin Rugg, 3 Mar. 2024, twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/1764317134430281924?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw.
- “PG&E Responding to Significant Winter Storm.” PG&E Currents, Pacific Gas & Electric, 4 Mar. 2024, www.pgecurrents.com/articles/3931-pg-e-responding-significant-winter-storm.
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