Massive Sierra Nevada Blizzard Sweeps California, Bringing 10 Feet of Snow and 100 mph Winds
As the first weekend of March approaches, the Sierra Nevada mountain range braces for an unprecedented snowstorm, while record warmth returns to the Plains and Northeastern regions of the United States.
The West Coast is set to experience a fierce start to March as the Sierra Nevada faces a prolonged blizzard from Thursday night through Sunday. The storm is predicted to unleash heavy snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour and powerful wind gusts ranging from 50 to 100 mph for an uninterrupted 72 hours, particularly affecting locations such as Donner Pass and Lake Tahoe.
The anticipated cold and windy conditions raise concerns about potential disruptions along the heavily trafficked I-80 corridor and pose significant challenges for communities as low as the Sierra foothills.
Snow intensity is expected to escalate across the northern and central Sierra on Thursday night into early Friday, with relentless heavy snow and strong winds persisting throughout the day. Simultaneously, coastal areas, including the Bay Area, will contend with windswept rain.
Saturday will witness the continuation of heavy snowfall in the Sierra, while Southern California braces for incoming rain. As the storm concludes on Sunday, snowfall measurements are projected to reach unprecedented levels, with up to 5 to 10 feet of snowfall at the highest elevations.
Detailed snowfall forecasts include:
Donner Pass: 5-10 feet
Blue Canyon: 4-7 feet
Lake Tahoe: 3-6 feet
Pollock Pines: 1-3 feet
This single storm could potentially eliminate snowfall deficits in the Sierra, which, up until this point in the season, have been running below average in some areas by 7 to 8 feet. The storm may even set records as one of the largest snowstorms on record and rival some of the largest single-day snowstorms in the central Sierra.
Warnings from area forecast offices highlight a high to extreme avalanche danger, emphasizing the potential for large to very large avalanches, especially in backcountry areas.
As the West grapples with cold and snow, the eastern regions are set to experience a continuation of the record warmth observed in February. The month saw record-high temperatures across the Lower 48 states, with exceptions in parts of California and the Florida Peninsula.
Cities like Fargo, Minneapolis, Des Moines, St. Louis, Tulsa, Little Rock, Green Bay, Chicago, Milwaukee, Syracuse, and Albany are noted for having their warmest February on record.
Following a brief temperature decline, record warmth is expected to return east of the Rocky Mountains from Friday through the weekend. Above-average high temperatures will likely result in record highs, with Sunday being the key day for potential records.
Cities expected to set record highs include Duluth, Green Bay, Wichita, Minneapolis, Tulsa, Burlington, Buffalo, Detroit, and Milwaukee. This warm spell could see temperatures reaching the 70s in Minneapolis and Chicago, while New York City may rise into the 60s by Monday.