A massive blizzard swept through the Sierra Nevada, causing the season’s most significant storm, leading to the closure of a long section of Interstate 80 in California. The storm brought strong winds and heavy rain, leaving thousands without power.
‘We knew this was coming’: western US hunkers down amid avalanche warnings and gale-force windsRead more
Up to 10ft (3 meters) of snow is expected in some areas. The National Weather Service (NWS) warned of extremely dangerous travel conditions due to widespread blowing snow. The Sierra Nevada experienced intense snowfall and wind gusts over 100mph (160km/h).
The weather service also issued a warning of ”high to extreme avalanche danger” in the central Sierra, including the Lake Tahoe area. California authorities closed 100 miles (160km) of I-80 due to spin outs, high winds, and low visibility. Pacific Gas & Electric reported 33,000 households and businesses without power.
Additionally, a tornado touched down in Madera county, causing damage to an elementary school. Ski resorts shut down to dig out from the storm, with plans to reopen on Sunday. Palisades Tahoe, the largest resort in the area, aimed to reopen some slopes but closed all chairlifts due to heavy snow and high winds.
The storm, which began on Thursday, prompted a blizzard warning covering a 300-mile (482km) stretch of the mountains. Despite the storm, some ski enthusiasts raced to the mountains, while others, like Daniel Lavely, chose to stay home due to the severe weather conditions.
As the storm continued to impact the region, the situation remained uncertain, with essential personnel working to maintain access roads and dig out chairlifts. The storm’s impact was significant, with widespread power outages and dangerous travel conditions, affecting both residents and businesses in the area.
2024-03-02 09:23:25
Source from www.theguardian.com