Massive winter storm could dump more than 10 feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada

• Monster snowstorm in Sierra Nevada this week.
• There could be up to 10 feet of snow.
• Residents are warned to prepare.

A massive winter storm is looming over Sierra Nevada this weekend.

According to the National Weather Service, the storm could dump more than 10 feet of snow in the next three days.

Meteorologists from Sacramento issued a warning about the possibility of zero visibility and dangerous travel conditions from 4 a.m. Thursday until 10 a.m. Sunday.

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The cold air mass, moving from the Gulf of Alaska toward the West Coast, promises «a tremendous amount of snow.»

In addition to heavy snowfall, winds of up to 50 to 80 miles per hour in the Sierra are expected, which could lead to road closures and power outages.

«This is probably the biggest snowstorm potential that we’ve had in the last three years and the coldest storm we’ve seen so far this winter,» NWS Sacramento meteorologist Craig Shoemaker said, according to KQED.

«That time [in 2021], Highway 50 was closed for days. There were a lot of trees down from that system, and power was out for a long time,» he added.

Businesses prepare for massive snowstorm in Sierra Nevada

Ski resorts, such as Heavenly in South Lake Tahoe, anticipate increased business with the arrival of the storm.

But they also anticipate possible lift closures due to high winds.

«A lot of the powder hounds are excited to get out there in the deep stuff and have those fresh tracks,» said the resort’s communications manager Cole Zimmerman.

«With that being said, we do expect heavy winds. There’s a chance that some of those upper mountain lifts could be closed down because of winds that could reach up to 100 miles an hour,» he added.

Preparations for the snow

Lead scientist at UC Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Lab, Andrew Schwartz warns that climate models have overestimated precipitation this year.

Although 7 to 9 feet of snow is expected throughout the Sierra, residents and visitors are advised to prepare for the storm as they would for a hurricane.

It is suggested that people have supplies for three to five days, including food, water and flashlights.

Despite the storm’s potential to increase the snowpack, it would still need more precipitation to reach the annual average, which is at 71% of the April 1 average.

Impact on the community

The Sierra Nevada is on high alert for the imminent arrival of a historic snowstorm that could drastically affect travel and living conditions in the region.

The National Weather Service strongly urges people to avoid traveling to the mountains until the storm subsides.

This is to ensure the safety of residents and visitors.

However, it’s important to remember this is not the first time the region has faced such a situation.

Snowstorm in Sierra Nevada

A similar warning was issued in late February last year, and that snowstorm resulted in road closures to Tahoe and triggered an avalanche.

These past events serve as a reminder of the importance of taking precautions and following the recommendations of authorities in extreme weather conditions.

The zero visibility warning and dangerous travel conditions are cause for concern for the communities of the Sierra.

The storm is expected to bring strong winds of up to 50 to 80 miles per hour, which could lead to road closures and power outages.