New York, USA – Ski resorts in California have taken preemptive measures by closing their doors in anticipation of a massive snowstorm set to hit the Sierra Nevada region over the coming weekend. State officials have blocked off roads as both California and neighboring Nevada brace for up to 10 feet of snow and wind gusts of over 140 mph in the mountains.
The storm, which began on Thursday, is expected to escalate after midnight on Friday with snowfall rates reaching up to three to five inches per hour on Friday and Saturday. The National Weather Prediction Center has issued warnings of significant disruptions and dangerous conditions in the Sierra Nevada, with avalanches also posing a risk.
As a result, sections of the I-80 highway in the Sierra Nevada have been closed down, while Yosemite National Park and numerous ski resorts around Lake Tahoe have ceased operations for the weekend. While no serious injuries have been reported so far, officials have responded to car collisions and vehicles sliding off the road in the treacherous conditions.
In addition to California, the storm is also set to bring strong and hazardous wind gusts to parts of Utah and Arizona. This weather event follows a slow start to the snow season in the region, where the snowpack in the mountains typically contributes significantly to California’s water supply.
Conditions are expected to improve by Monday, although there is a possibility of further snowfall in the region by the middle of the following week. Residents and authorities are urged to exercise caution and remain vigilant as the storm progresses.