California – A long-duration winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow, strong winds, and dangerous travel conditions to the northern Sierra Nevada beginning late Friday and continuing through Monday afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service office in Sacramento, a Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 10 p.m. Friday until 4 p.m. PST Monday for western Plumas County, Lassen Park, and the west slope of the northern Sierra Nevada above 5,000 feet. Communities in the warning area include Quincy, Chester, and Blue Canyon.
Forecasters say snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches are expected above 5,000 feet, while 2 to 4 feet of snow could fall above 6,000 feet, with locally higher totals at the highest elevations. Wind gusts up to 55 mph may lead to blowing snow, reduced visibility, and the potential for tree damage.
Snow levels are expected to fluctuate during the storm. Levels will range from 6,500 to 7,500 feet Friday night into Saturday morning, lowering to 5,000 to 6,000 feet Saturday afternoon into Sunday, and dropping further to around 4,500 to 5,500 feet by early Monday. The heaviest snowfall is forecast for Sunday.
Officials warn that travel could be very difficult to impossible, with impacts likely from Friday evening through the Monday morning commute, particularly on mountain passes and high-elevation roads.
Drivers are urged to check the latest road conditions through Caltrans QuickMap or by dialing 511 before traveling.
For mountain residents, travelers, and workers, the warning highlights prolonged hazardous conditions across the northern Sierra through the holiday weekend.
