Multiple winter storm warnings have been issued as a powerful system moves across parts of the western United States and Alaska, bringing the threat of heavy snowfall, high winds, and dangerous travel conditions. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), some areas could receive up to 20 inches of snow, with wind gusts reaching 70 miles per hour from Sunday or Monday through Wednesday.
The warnings cover counties in California, Nevada, and Alaska, where forecasters say a combination of deep snow and strong winds is likely to produce whiteout conditions. The NWS has urged residents to prepare carefully, advising anyone who must travel to keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in their vehicle and to call 511 before departure for updated road information.
California Faces Heavy Mountain Snowfall and High Winds
In California, the most severe impacts are expected in higher elevations. Communities across the Frazier Mountains, Piute Walker Basin, and Tehachapi could see up to 20 inches of snow and wind gusts of 50 mph from Sunday evening through Wednesday evening. The NWS warned that travel in these areas “could be very difficult to impossible.”
The Sierra Nevada is forecast to receive even greater totals. According to the NWS, up to 5 feet of snow could accumulate above 6,000 feet, with as much as 7 feet possible across the highest peaks by Wednesday night. Winds in the region may gust to around 60 mph. Areas below 4,000 feet could still see between 1 and 2 feet of snow.
Along the eastern Sierra slopes, forecasters expect wind gusts of up to 70 mph and more than 3 feet of snow above 8,000 feet, with up to 16 inches possible at or below 6,000 feet from early Monday morning through Wednesday night. The agency has advised residents to “consider delaying all travel” and to “stay indoors until conditions improve.”
Further north, parts of Humboldt and Del Norte interior counties could receive up to 15 inches of snow and 40 mph winds from Monday night into Wednesday night. Trinity County may see up to 2.5 feet of snow above 3,000 feet. In Siskiyou County, including stretches of Highways 97 and 89 and Interstate 5 south of Weed, up to 12 inches of snow and 40 mph winds are forecast through Wednesday.
Nevada and Alaska Brace for Whiteout Conditions and Continued Snowfall
In Nevada, winter storm warnings cover Esmeralda County in the west and central Nye County. Between 5 and 10 inches of snow and wind gusts of 45 mph are expected from mid-Monday morning through Wednesday night. According to the NWS, “whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening,” particularly along Highways 95 and 266 over the Lida summit.
The Sheep Range and Spring Mountains, including Red Rock Canyon, could receive up to 2 feet of snow above 9,000 feet and up to 12 inches at or below 5,000 feet, with gusts reaching 50 mph. Parts of southwestern Humboldt County are also forecast to see between 6 and 12 inches of snow and 50 mph winds, disrupting travel on roads above 2,000 feet.
In Alaska, several regions (including the central Interior, the Nenana area, the northern Denali borough, and the White Mountains) could receive up to 8 inches of snow and 40 mph winds through Sunday. Light snow showers may linger into Monday before another round of heavier snowfall is expected Tuesday through Thursday, according to the NWS.
