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100mph Winds And 12ft Of Snow Expected In California Storm
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More snow was forecast in northern California on Monday after an intense blizzard dropped more than 7ft of snow in places.
Highways and ski resorts were closed this weekend amid dangerous whiteout conditions in mountainous areas of California and neighboring Nevada.
While most of the storm has passed through the Sierra Nevada by Monday morning, some additional snow was expected. Scattered thunderstorms were likely and another 2 feet of snow was possible at higher elevations, the National Weather Service office in Sacramento said.
Communities across the region were beginning to dig out from the snowdrifts which had reached the roofs of some homes, and trapped people indoors.
Power had mostly been restored by Monday after more than 40,000 homes suffered outages this weekend. Still, more than 7,500 customers remained without power, according to utility tracker poweroutage.us.
Palisades Tahoe ski resort said that it planned to open on Monday – but that it wasn’t guaranteed. The largest resort on the north end of Lake Tahoe was among several ski mountains that closed most or all chairlifts this weekend because of snow, wind and low visibility. Palisades reported a three-day snow total of 6 feet.
“Unstable wind slabs ranging in size and sensitivity are today’s primary concern. The weak layers near the base of our snowpack may still be adjusting to the new snow load,” the avalanche center report read.
“Avoiding steep, wind affected slopes and overhead hazard is the best way to minimize your exposure today.”
Eastern Sierras backcountry avalanche report on 4 March, 2024
(Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center)
Louise Boyle4 March 2024 17:35
Nevada experiences snow squalls
Parts of western Nevada experienced snow squalls through Sunday night as an intense blizzard swept the region.
The snow squall warning was in place until late Sunday for major highways, I-80, US-50, US-95, near Fernley, and US-50 and US-95 near Fallon, around one hour from Reno.
Louise Boyle4 March 2024 17:29
Two tornadoes touch down in central California
As a blizzard slammed northern California this weekend, two tornadoes touched down in central parts of the state.
A tornado briefly touched down in Madera county, about 30 minutes north of Fresno, on Friday. The twister struck close to an elementary school, forcing students to shelter in the cafeteria, according to ABC7.
The second tornado was spotted in Corcoran, Kings County on Saturday afternoon. The twister shifted east and then dissipated by the time it got to US Route 99, acccording to forecasters.
Louise Boyle4 March 2024 17:28
Massive mudslide in southern California
A massive mudslide has blocked State Route 150 in the small Southern California town of Santa Paula, transport officials reported on Sunday.
California’s Department of Transportation shared a photo of the slide and said that they were working to open the highway “ASAP” in the town, halfway between Santa Barbara and Malibu.
Southern California has experienced hundreds of landslides this winter after a series of atmospheric rivers slammed the state.
The mudslide in Santa Paula, California pictured on 3 March, 2024
(CalTrans)
Louise Boyle4 March 2024 17:11
California snow storm: Lake Tahoe blanketed in six feet of snow as residents dig their way out of homes
Lake Tahoe blanketed in six feet of snow as residents dig their way out of homes
Roads have been shut and people left without power following an intense blizzard across parts of northern California. Highways and ski resorts were forced to close on Sunday (3 March) after six feet of snow fell in Lake Tahoe. Communities across the region were beginning to dig out from the snowdrifts which had reached the roofs of some homes, and trapped people indoors. More snow is forecast today (4 March), along with scattered thunderstorms, the National Weather Service office in Sacramento said.
Louise Boyle4 March 2024 16:51
Snowed under in Truckee
One of the places hit by the powerful multiple day winter storm in the Sierra Nevada mountains was Truckee. Kevin Dupui, who lives in the town, just northwest of Lake Tahoe, said his snow blower broke, but it doesn’t really matter because there’s nowhere to put all the snow anyway. “We just move it around,” he said Sunday.
Dupui said residents and tourists seem to be mostly heeding warnings to stay home. “The roads haven’t been that safe, so we don’t really want people driving around,” he said.
Another Truckee resident, Jenelle Potvin, said at first some cynical locals thought “there was a little too much hype” made about the approaching storm. But then the unrelenting snow began Friday night.
“It was definitely a blizzard. And we woke up to a lot of snow yesterday and it never let up,” Potvin said Sunday. Her neighbors were snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the streets. (Associated Press)
A person uses a snowblower during a powerful multiple day winter storm in the Sierra Nevada mountains on March 03, 2024 in Truckee, California.
(Getty Images)
Louise Boyle4 March 2024 16:32
Meanwhile, further south…
Another round of stormy weather could be on the way for southern California, forecasters said on Monday.
The storm system could potentially move into the region between late Tuesday and Thursday, according to the National Weather Service’s Los Angeles office.
The rain forecast for southern California this week
(NWS Los Angeles)
Louise Boyle4 March 2024 16:11
Ski resort plans to open on Monday
Palisades Tahoe ski resort said that it planned to open on Monday, with the goal of having a few lifts going by 9am – but that it wasn’t guaranteed.
The largest resort on the north end of Lake Tahoe was among several ski mountains that closed most or all chairlifts this weekend because of snow, wind and low visibility.
Palisades reported a three-day snow total of 6 feet (1.8 meters), with more falling.
Louise Boyle4 March 2024 15:57
Watch: Northern California battered by blizzard
US: Intense Snowstorm Batters Northern California Causing Blizzard Conditions
Louise Boyle4 March 2024 15:40
Some routes begin to reopen
Some routes in northern California had begun to reopen early on Monday.
US 395 had been cleared between Bishop and Mammoth Lakes, and is open, according to California’s Department of Transportation.
However, the highway remained closed between Mammoth Lakes and Bridgeport while crews continued to clear snow off the roadway.
Some highways had begun to partially reopen in northern California on Monday, 4th March
(CalTrans)
Louise Boyle4 March 2024 15:20
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