Massive California snowstorm to dump snow, make travel ‘impossible’ in these areas
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for parts of the Sierra, which was expected to see an inundation of snow and winds of up to 50 mph in some places.
National Weather ServiceA winter storm warning was issued for a large swath of the Sierra mountains, where major snowfall was expected to create “impossible driving conditions” starting Tuesday night and through Wednesday, according to weather officials.
The warning was in effect from 10 p.m. Tuesday through 10 p.m. Wednesday for Western Plumas County, the Lassen Volcanic National Park area and the west slope of the northern Sierra Nevada, including Interstate 80 over Donner Pass, Highway 50 over Echo Summit, and Highway 88 over Carson Pass, according to the National Weather Service.
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Light snow was expected to begin falling Tuesday in the Sierra Nevada, and heavier snow — possibly 1 to 3 inches an hour — will likely start falling about 4 a.m. Wednesday, said Craig Shoemaker, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Wind gusts of up to 50 mph were also expected.
Areas above 3,500 feet will likely see the heaviest amounts of snow, from 1 to 2 feet, the weather service said. About 4 to 8 inches of snow was expected above 2,500 feet. About 19 inches is possible in Blue Canyon (Placer County), 24 inches in Kingvale (Nevada County) and around 20 inches in Soda Springs and Donner (Nevada County), according to Shoemaker. Pollock Pines (El Dorado County) could see between 6 to 7 inches of snow.
The major storm will make roads dangerous to drive on, possibly leading to delays, chain controls and closures, Shoemaker said.
“They’re going to be quite hazardous,” Shoemaker said of Wednesday’s road conditions. “People definitely need to be prepared, keep up with all of the latest road conditions … and preferably just don’t travel tomorrow.”
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The following highways could see impacts, according to the weather service: Interstate 80 and Highways 50, 89, 49, 88, 44, 299 and 26.
The snow will begin to diminish late Wednesday night with dry weather returning Thursday, weather officials said.
In the Bay Area, residents could expect rain, chilly temperatures and gusty winds Wednesday. Chronicle meteorologist Anthony Edwards says the East Bay hills, the North Bay, Peninsula and Santa Cruz Mountains could see up to a quarter inch of rain. The Tri- and Santa Clara valleys may see about a tenth of an inch or less. Temperatures could drop into the 30s inland and lower 40s near the bay Wednesday night, except in San Francisco, Edwards said.
Reach Jessica Flores: jessica.flores@sfchronicle.com; Twitter: @jesssmflores
Jessica Flores is a reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. Before joining The Chronicle in 2021, she worked for USA Today, NPR affiliate KPCC and Curbed LA. Originally from L.A., she received her master’s degree in journalism from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree from Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles.
She can be reached at Jessica.Flores@sfchronicle.com.
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