A powerful series of winter storms swept across the western United States on Tuesday, bringing drenching rain, heavy mountain snow, and high winds that turned roads treacherous and triggered deadly incidents. In Colorado, a massive pileup involving dozens of cars and semi-trucks left four people dead and 29 hospitalized, while in California, an avalanche in the Sierra buried a group of skiers, leaving 10 people missing.
The severe weather has rippled far beyond the immediate impact zones. Nearly 150 miles of freeway were closed in parts of California due to blizzard-like conditions, and flight delays climbed past 4,000 nationwide, according to NBC News. Forecasters also warned that a separate storm system is set to bring rain and snow from the upper Midwest to New England, raising concerns about further disruptions later in the week.
Deadly Pileup in Colorado and Avalanche Emergency in the Sierra
In Colorado, authorities reported that visibility dropped sharply amid windblown dust, contributing to a chain-reaction crash involving dozens of vehicles on Interstate 25. The collision shut down I-25 in both directions, leaving what one observer described as a “mangled mess.” Emergency crews worked to account for all drivers and passengers as traffic ground to a halt.
According to NBC News, four people were killed and 29 others were taken to hospitals following the crash. Officials said the sudden loss of visibility played a central role in the incident, as strong winds swept dust across the highway corridor.
Farther west, a separate emergency unfolded in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. A group of 16 skiers went missing after an avalanche struck the area during near whiteout conditions. Rescuers confirmed that six people survived, while 10 remained missing as search operations continued. Blizzard conditions also affected motorists in the region, prompting the closure of nearly 150 miles of freeway as snow and wind reduced visibility to near zero.
Flooding, Mudslide Fears, and Mounting Travel Disruptions
The storms also brought intense rainfall to lower elevations in California, including areas near Los Angeles. Streets filled with water, sidelining delivery robots and forcing autonomous vehicles operated by Waymo to pull off roads until conditions improved. Drivers described vehicles skidding on slick surfaces as rain poured down across the region.
In Altadena, concerns shifted toward the threat of landslides. Concrete barriers were installed at the base of fire-scarred hillsides to protect nearby neighborhoods in case saturated slopes gave way. According to the same source, officials said the barriers are designed to slow or stop debris should mud and rock begin to move downhill, especially with additional rainfall expected through the week.
The cascading effects of the storms have extended nationwide. Flight delays surpassed 4,000 across the country, underscoring how severe weather in one region can disrupt travel far beyond state lines. Meanwhile, meteorologists warned that another storm system is forecast to bring rain and snow from the upper Midwest to New England, potentially compounding delays and hazardous conditions.
While the West braces for more precipitation in California and the Rockies later this week, emergency crews and transportation officials remain on alert. The combination of heavy snow, strong winds, and saturated ground has already proven deadly and disruptive, and authorities continue to monitor evolving conditions across multiple states.
