Eureka, California – Mountain travel across Northwestern California will begin shutting down as early as Sunday morning, with up to 2.5 feet of snow piling up in Trinity County before the storm expands into Humboldt and Del Norte counties Monday night.
According to the National Weather Service in Eureka, a Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Trinity County above 5,000 feet starting 7 a.m. Sunday, lowering to 2,000 feet Monday night, and continuing until 4 p.m. Wednesday. Interior Humboldt and Del Norte counties enter warning status at 7 p.m. Monday, with Southwestern Humboldt following at 10 p.m. Monday for elevations above 2,000 feet.
In Trinity County, areas along Highway 299 at Buckhorn Summit and Oregon Mountain, Highway 3 over Scott Mountain and Hayfork Summit, and Highway 36 at South Fork Mountain could see 1 to 2.5 feet of snow above 3,000 feet. Weaverville, Hayfork and Trinity Center will face chain controls and possible closures as winds gust to 35 mph.
Across interior Humboldt and Del Norte counties, including Berry Summit on Highway 299 and Collier Tunnel on Highway 199, 6 to 15 inches of snow is expected with gusts up to 40 mph. Southwestern Humboldt, including Mattole Road and Shelter Cove Road above 2,000 feet, could pick up 6 to 12 inches with 50 mph wind gusts, increasing the risk of downed branches and power outages.
Drivers should delay travel, carry chains and emergency supplies, and check Caltrans road conditions by calling 511. Warnings remain in effect through Wednesday afternoon, and additional road restrictions are likely as snow levels drop Monday night.
