Massive Snowstorm Hits Sierra Nevada, Bringing 12 Feet of Snow and 100 MPH Winds
Residents in the Sierra Nevada region, including the Lake Tahoe area, are facing extreme weather conditions as a massive snowstorm descends on the area. With as much as 12 feet of snow expected at the highest elevations and winds gusting over 100 miles an hour, residents are hunkering down, ski resorts are closing, and snowplows are working tirelessly to clear roads.
The Sierra Avalanche Center has issued a high avalanche danger warning for the Central Sierra, prompting officials at Yosemite National Park to close the park through Sunday. Many ski resorts in the region have also announced closures for the day.
In Tahoe City, reports of brief power outages have been noted, and the streets are mostly empty as snow continues to pile up. Some residents, like Tristan Queen, are opting to travel by snowmobile for safety reasons.
Meteorologists have been warning about “life-threatening blizzard conditions” expected through Sunday in the Sierra Nevada. Forecasters are urging drivers to avoid traveling in the blustering winds with minimal visibility, advising people to stay put and hunker down.
Palisades Tahoe resort has seen intense snowfall and winds of 100 miles an hour, leading to its closure on Friday and Saturday. Conditions are expected to worsen into the night as a cold front moves in, potentially bringing five more feet of snow to mountain crests.
Despite the challenges posed by the snowstorm, residents and business owners in the area are prepared for the winter weather. Stores have stocked up on supplies, and locals are ready to wait out the storm.
Looking ahead, Palisades Tahoe has announced that it will remain open until the end of May, giving residents and visitors something to look forward to after weathering the current snowstorm. As one local business owner put it, “It’s just great fun to be able to ski in the morning and golf in the afternoon.”
