Mammoth Lakes, CA – Damaging winds could sweep across California’s Eastern Sierra starting Wednesday afternoon, raising the risk of power outages and dangerous travel across Mono County as gusts intensify through Thursday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Reno, a High Wind Warning takes effect 2 p.m. Wednesday and continues until 11 a.m. Thursday for communities including Mammoth Lakes, Lee Vining, Bridgeport, and Coleville. Southwest winds are expected to increase to 35 to 45 mph, with widespread gusts reaching 60 mph across valley communities.
The strongest winds will target exposed areas along U.S. Highway 395, where narrow canyon corridors may experience gusts approaching 80 mph. Forecasters also warn Sierra ridgetops could exceed 100 mph, creating extreme conditions for higher elevations and backcountry areas.
Travel could become hazardous Wednesday evening and overnight. High-profile vehicles such as trucks, trailers, and RVs may struggle with powerful crosswinds, especially between Lee Vining and Bridgeport where the highway runs through wind-prone terrain.
Utility crews are also preparing for potential outages as strong gusts could bring down trees and power lines across Mono County.
Residents should secure patio furniture, trash bins, and other loose outdoor items before winds increase Wednesday afternoon. Emergency managers also recommend keeping flashlights, extra batteries, food, and water ready in case power interruptions occur overnight.
Wind conditions should begin easing late Thursday morning, though additional advisories could follow if the storm system remains strong over the Eastern Sierra.
