Powerful storm approaching California could dump 10 feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada

California is bracing for a powerful winter storm that could bring up to 10 feet of snow and high winds to the Sierra Nevada mountains.

“A second winter storm will impact the West Coast on Thursday and Friday,” the National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Prediction Center announced. mentioned in the prediction discussion Thursday.

“The storm will bring heavy snow to the mountains, impacting many mountain passes. High areas, including many of the Cascades and Sierra Nevada, especially at elevations above 5,000 feet, will likely see several feet of snow (with an 80 chance % or more),” the notice added. “Heavy snowfall of more than 3 inches per hour is possible.”

On Wednesday, the forecast center warned that blizzard-like conditions, including 5 to 10 feet of snow, could occur by the weekend, especially in the higher elevations of the mountains.

They also warned of the possibility of avalanches.

“This will create a travel nightmare on the affected mountain passes and many roads are likely to be closed,” the center said. “Higher areas of the Northern Rockies will also experience moderate to heavy snow, but not as much as the Sierras and Cascades.”

NWS office in Reno, Nevada Winter storm warning issued On X, formerly known as Twitter, we post the Greater Reno-Carson City-Minden area Thursday night through Saturday night and northern Washoe County to Surprise Valley Thursday night through Saturday night. .

“Snow accumulation may impact Friday morning and evening commutes. Please plan ahead in advance,” the Reno office said. I said it in a later post. “Winds will pick up during the snowy part of Friday.”

“Whiteout conditions could occur late Friday into Saturday, making travel extremely difficult or impossible,” it warned.