Los Angeles, CA – A powerful winter storm is bringing heavy snow and rain to California, with impacts expected to continue through Thursday. The storm will intensify as it moves east, creating hazardous travel conditions across the Intermountain West and Rockies. Blizzard conditions are possible in parts of the Northern Plains by the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the Sierra Nevada and higher elevations of Northern California could receive 1 to 3 feet of snow, accompanied by wind gusts of 40-70 mph. These conditions will make travel extremely dangerous, with potential road closures and scattered power outages.
In Southern California, heavy rain rates of up to 0.5 inches per hour are expected through Thursday morning. The NWS warns of flash flooding, particularly in burn scar areas and near steep terrain. Slick roads and ponding water will create hazardous driving conditions in major metro areas like Los Angeles and San Diego.
Further east, strong winds and snowfall in the Intermountain West are likely to disrupt travel through Friday. As the system strengthens over the Great Plains, widespread high winds and blowing snow could result in blizzard conditions for parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota by Saturday.
Residents in affected areas should monitor weather alerts, avoid unnecessary travel, and prepare for potential power outages and road closures.
