Sacramento, California – Mountain travelers in California should brace for delays and dangerous road conditions as snow moves into the Sierra and southern Cascades beginning Friday evening.
According to the National Weather Service in Sacramento, a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 5 p.m. Friday to 11 a.m. Saturday for elevations above 6,000 feet. The advisory covers portions of the Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade ranges, where 3 to 6 inches of snow are expected, with localized totals reaching 10 inches on higher peaks. Wind gusts could reach up to 35 mph, further reducing visibility and increasing travel risks.
Highway passes including I-80 over Donner Summit and U.S. 50 near Echo Summit may see reduced traction and long delays, especially overnight Friday into early Saturday. Travelers heading toward Lake Tahoe, Mount Shasta, or Lassen National Park are urged to check conditions and carry chains.
Officials recommend delaying non-essential travel, charging phones before departure, and keeping emergency kits in vehicles. This system marks one of the latest-season snow events in recent years for the Sierra region.
Snowfall is expected to taper by late Saturday morning, but additional advisories are possible if conditions worsen.
