A late winter storm is currently slamming parts of California, particularly the Sierra Nevada mountains, with severe weather conditions. More than three feet of snow has already fallen in some areas, with blizzard conditions causing reduced visibility on roads, power outages, and hurricane-force winds exceeding 75 miles per hour. Mammoth Mountain experienced winds reaching up to 100 miles per hour on Saturday.
Winter weather alerts have been issued for six million people in the region, with tens of thousands currently without power. Sections of Interstate 80 have been closed due to the extreme conditions, and the closure is expected to remain in effect until further notice.
In addition to the heavy snowfall and strong winds, a tornado touched down in Madera County near Fresno on Friday, causing damage to an elementary school. Fortunately, no students were present at the time of the incident.
The blizzard conditions are forecasted to persist throughout the weekend, with meteorologists warning of dangerous and life-threatening impacts. Heavy snowfall rates of up to four inches per hour have been reported, leading to snowfall totals measured in feet, such as 27 inches at Homewood Mountain and over 40 inches in King Vale, California.
As the storm system continues, gusty winds are spreading inland towards the central plains, with wind gusts of up to 30 miles per hour expected in certain areas. The combination of dry air and strong winds is also heightening the risk of wildfires, particularly in regions with low relative humidity values.
Temperatures in affected areas are soaring into the 70s and 80s, significantly above average, further contributing to the dry air conditions. The ongoing storm and associated weather patterns are expected to persist, posing challenges for residents and authorities in the impacted regions.
