Eureka, California – Drivers across Northern California’s interior mountains have just hours to prepare before heavy snow and 55 mph wind gusts begin shutting down key highways late Monday night.
According to the National Weather Service in Eureka, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for Del Norte Interior, Humboldt Interior, Trinity County, and higher elevations of Southwestern Humboldt through 4 p.m. Wednesday. Snow will begin as early as 7 p.m. Monday above 2,000 feet in Del Norte and interior Humboldt, expanding south by 10 p.m. Snow totals will range from 6 to 16 inches, with isolated peaks in Trinity County nearing 17 inches.
The most intense snowfall rates are expected late Monday night through Tuesday morning, when snow levels could briefly fall to 1,500 feet. Highways including 299 at Berry Summit and Buckhorn Summit, Highway 199 at Collier Tunnel, Highway 3 over Scott Mountain, and Highway 36 over South Fork Mountain face chain controls or closures. Mattole Road and Shelter Cove Road above 2,000 feet could also become impassable.
Wind gusts up to 55 mph in Southwestern Humboldt may bring down trees and power lines, raising outage risks in rural communities.
Travel through mountain passes may become impossible at times through Tuesday morning. Officials urge drivers to delay non-essential trips, carry emergency supplies, and check Caltrans road conditions by calling 511. Additional advisories could follow if snow levels fall lower than expected before the storm tapers Wednesday afternoon.
