Grass Valley, California – A powerful winter storm will bury the northern Sierra and spread snow into lower foothills by Tuesday, creating dangerous travel on Interstate 80, Highway 50 and parts of Interstate 5 through Wednesday night.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 10 p.m. Sunday until 10 p.m. Wednesday for northern Shasta County, the Shasta Lake area, Burney Basin, the Motherlode, Western Plumas County, Lassen Park and the West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada.
Snow totals will vary sharply by elevation. Areas around 2,000 to 2,500 feet could see up to 1 foot. Between 2,500 and 3,500 feet, 1 to 2 feet is likely. Higher elevations in the Sierra may receive 4 to 8 feet by midweek. Wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph will create blowing snow and dangerous crosswinds.
According to the National Weather Service in Sacramento, snow levels will begin around 4,500 to 5,500 feet Sunday night into Monday, then fall to 2,500 to 3,500 feet Monday night. By Tuesday into Wednesday, snow levels could drop to 1,500 to 2,500 feet, with a chance of briefly reaching 1,000 feet in parts of the Coastal Range, Shasta County and the southern Cascades.
Travel conditions may become dangerous to nearly impossible. Chain controls and road closures are likely on Interstate 80 over Donner Pass, Highway 50 over Echo Summit and mountain routes near Quincy, Chester and Blue Canyon. Portions of Interstate 5 in northern Shasta County could also be impacted as snow levels fall.
Residents should delay non-essential travel, prepare for possible power outages and secure outdoor items ahead of strong winds. Check Caltrans QuickMap or call 511 for the latest road conditions before heading out.
