Sacramento, California – A powerful winter storm could bury parts of the Sierra Nevada under several feet of snow, with dangerous travel developing Sunday evening and lasting through Wednesday.
A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for the west slope of the Northern Sierra Nevada, Western Plumas County, Lassen Park, northern Shasta County and surrounding foothills. Interstate 80, Highway 50 and portions of Interstate 5 near Shasta Lake could see major impacts.
Heavy snow is possible from Sunday evening through Wednesday evening. Snowfall totals remain uncertain, but early projections show around 1 foot between 3,000 and 4,000 feet. Higher elevations could see 4 to 8 feet of accumulation. Wind gusts may reach 55 mph, creating whiteout conditions at times.
According to the National Weather Service in Sacramento, snow levels will hover between 4,500 and 5,000 feet Sunday night through Tuesday before dropping to 3,000 to 4,000 feet late Tuesday into Wednesday. Some areas in the Coastal Range, southern Cascades and near Shasta County could see snow levels fall as low as 2,000 feet.
Communities including Grass Valley, Blue Canyon, Quincy, Chester, Burney and Paradise should prepare for chain controls, possible road closures and power outages. Blowing snow and reduced visibility could make travel dangerous to near impossible at times, especially over mountain passes.
Drivers are urged to delay non-essential mountain travel, carry tire chains and emergency supplies, and check Caltrans QuickMap or call 511 for the latest road conditions. Those in foothill areas should be ready for rapidly changing conditions as snow levels fluctuate.
This prolonged storm could significantly impact midweek commutes and mountain travel across Northern California.
