The NWS has released a weather alert for California as a spring storm is expected to bring up to 4 feet of snow to high-elevation areas near Sacramento. This heavy snowfall poses a potential travel hazard.
Several weeks after a massive snowstorm hammered California earlier this month, an approaching storm is on the horizon. This previous storm had dumped over 100 inches of snow in certain high-elevation regions.
California has been experiencing an abundance of winter precipitation, with many cities already exceeding their average annual rainfall. Even though spring has officially begun, more snow is expected, potentially causing challenging travel conditions in the Golden State.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued the warning in the early morning hours on Friday, and it will continue to be in effect until early Sunday.
The forecast warns of heavy snowfall, with an expected accumulation of 1 to 3 feet. Additionally, winds are predicted to gust as high as 45 mph. As a result, travel conditions may become extremely challenging, with potential delays, snow-covered roads, and chain controls. It is important to note that the strong winds have the potential to bring down tree branches.
Snowfall in the West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada, specifically on Interstate 80 over Donner Pass and Highway 50 over Echo Summit, may reach or exceed 4 feet.
The warning advised travelers to carry an additional flashlight, food, and water in their vehicle as a precautionary measure in case of an emergency.
According to NWS meteorologist Chelsea Peters, the primary concern with the upcoming storm is travel. In an interview with Newsweek, Peters stated that the heaviest snowfall is expected to occur on Friday night after 7 p.m. local time. During this time, snow will fall at a rapid rate of 1 to 3 inches per hour.
According to Peters, the majority of the snowfall will occur above 5,500 to 6,000 feet, with the heaviest precipitation expected tonight.
Northern California and the eastern part of the state along the Nevada border have been issued a winter weather advisory, in addition to the winter weather warning. Furthermore, a wind advisory has been issued for a significant area in the southern part of the state.
The storm’s radar progression was shared by the NWS office in Sacramento in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
According to the post, there will be periods of showers, isolated thunderstorms, and mountain snow spreading over NorCal on Friday and lasting through the weekend.
Winter storms are anticipated to impact the Sacramento region in the upcoming week. Another storm is predicted to commence on Tuesday afternoon, bringing with it additional snowfall. Furthermore, there is a possibility of a third storm affecting the area towards the end of the week, although specific information is still uncertain.
