A life-threatening snowstorm is brewing along the mountain range between California and Nevada this weekend, dumping up to 10 feet of snow in some areas and leaving cars stranded on dangerous roads.
Winter weather has closed Yosemite and the National Weather Service has issued a warning against visiting ski resorts. Snow accumulation in Lake Tahoe is expected to reach 6 feet, but could be higher in higher elevations. Forecasters warned that driving conditions could be considered “extremely dangerous or impossible” due to poor visibility and whiteout conditions.
Numerous vehicles were stranded overnight on Donner Mountain, north of Lake Tahoe, along Interstate 80. California Highway Patrol said:. Police said it took several hours for emergency personnel and a tow truck to reach the driver because of the snowstorm.
As of Saturday, transportation officials were working to recover the vehicle abandoned on the highway, according to the CHP. It is not yet determined when the expressway will reopen.
Avalanche danger remains high in the eastern Sierra Nevada until Sunday evening, according to the NWS Reno office.
See photo:California snowstorm brings blizzard conditions to Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe
Sustained wind gusts of 150 mph occur at Lake Tahoe ski resort
Wind gusts of 195 to 150 mph were felt for several hours at some ski resorts along the top of the Sierra Nevada near the Lake Tahoe basin, NWS Reno office meteorologist Scott McGuire told USA TODAY. It occurred over a period of time.
In a blog post Saturday morning, Palisades Tahoe, which recorded unusual wind gusts, said it closed all chairlifts Saturday due to wind, visibility and snowfall. Many other resorts were closed over the weekend due to the snowstorm.
“It's going to take a few days to restart things, but we're not done yet,” McGuire said.
Strong winds impact multiple states
Las Vegas, a few hundred miles south of Reno, experienced strong winds Saturday afternoon, causing delays at Harry Reid International Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
The NWS issued a high wind warning for the entire desert region of California, Nevada and Arizona on Saturday until Sunday morning.
The NWS alert said southwest winds were expected to be 35 to 45 mph, with gusts up to 110 mph extending from California's Death Valley National Park through the Las Vegas area and into Arizona's Grand Canyon area.
Forecasters expected the winds to knock down trees and power lines, causing power outages and travel difficulties.in social media postsNWS Las Vegas announced that strong winds are beginning to kick up dust south of the city, causing reduced visibility.
Blizzard restricts travel to California mountains
California officials closed 160 miles of Interstate 80, the main route between Reno and Sacramento, on Friday due to severe weather. It was unclear when the expressway would reopen.
Californians are advised against traveling to Sierra Nevada ski resorts through the weekend. NWS Bay Area said the office.
Meanwhile, Yosemite National Park will be closed until at least Sunday afternoon, the National Park Service announced. Portions of Generals Highway east of Fresno into Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park are also closed due to the winter storm.
Snow is expected to continue in the Sierra Nevada through Wednesday, with drier conditions possible later in the week, NWS Reno said.
US Weather Watches and Warnings
National weather radar
Severe weather in other parts of the US
The storm is expected to bring more widespread rain to the East Coast on Saturday, with thunderstorms affecting parts of the Southeast and bringing rain to Southern California.
A storm system from the central Gulf Coast that impacted the southern Appalachians and Ohio Valley reached the East Coast on Friday, according to the NWS.
“Localized heavy rain is possible, especially north of the interior southern border and along the Carolina coast,” the weather service said.
Forecasters are warning people traveling to the Pocono Mountains and northern New Jersey where ice and snow is possible.
The system is expected to leave the New England coast by Sunday morning.
Heavy precipitation and storms are possible across parts of the Southeast coast into North Florida and the Florida Panhandle through Sunday, the agency said.
Rain is expected to fall across the U.S. and in Southern California this weekend, with snow expected to fall in higher elevations. Strong southwesterly winds are also expected, and advisories and strong wind warnings have been issued. interior section Until Saturday.
Contribution: Associated Press
