If you’re in Nevada or California, get ready—a massive winter storm is moving in, bringing feet of snow, crazy winds, and roads that could be completely undriveable through Friday.
The National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Warnings for Lake Tahoe, Mono County, and the Sierra Nevada, and they’re not messing around. This storm could make travel nearly impossible, cause power outages, and bring dangerous whiteout conditions.
Planning a trip to the mountains? You might want to rethink that. This storm is shaping up to be the kind that can shut everything down.
🌨️ What’s Happening?
This beast of a storm is rolling in and bringing:
✔ Heavy snowfall—measured in feet, not inches
✔ Hurricane-force winds at higher elevations
✔ Blinding whiteout conditions that could make driving impossible
The worst of it hits late Wednesday night and lasts through Friday, right when a lot of people might be heading out for the weekend. If you can delay your trip, do it.
📍 Who’s Getting Hit the Hardest?
🏔️ Lake Tahoe & Sierra Nevada (California & Nevada)
✔ 2 to 4 feet of snow expected in higher elevations—yes, feet!
✔ 10 to 18 inches at lake level, which means even lower areas will be a mess.
✔ Winds up to 100 mph on mountain ridges—that’s hurricane strength.
📍 Mono County & Western Nevada
✔ 1 to 3 feet of snow, with up to 5 feet in the highest spots
✔ Wind gusts up to 50 mph, blowing snow everywhere
✔ Major highways like US-395 could be completely shut down
🚨 Why This Storm Is So Dangerous
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Travel Could Be Impossible
- Highway 89, US-395, and I-80 could be buried in snow, making them impassable.
- Snowfall rates of 2 inches per hour mean plows won’t be able to keep up.
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Extreme Winds & Whiteouts
- Winds up to 100 mph at the Sierra crest will create total whiteout conditions.
- Even experienced drivers in 4WD vehicles could struggle to stay on the road.
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Power Outages & Avalanche Danger
- Heavy snow and strong winds could take down power lines—be ready just in case.
- Avalanche danger will be extreme, so stay out of the backcountry.
🚗 If You Have to Travel…
✔ Postpone your trip if possible—this storm is no joke.
✔ If you must drive, bring an emergency kit with blankets, snacks, water, and a flashlight.
✔ Check road closures before heading out—expect delays and shutdowns.
✔ If you get stuck, STAY IN YOUR CAR! Walking in a blizzard is extremely dangerous.
🚨 Check road conditions before traveling:
- California (Caltrans): quickmap.dot.ca.gov
- Nevada (NDOT): nvroads.com
🏠 How to Prepare at Home
✔ Stock up on food, water, and supplies—you might not be able to go out for a while.
✔ Charge your phone and have flashlights ready in case of power outages.
✔ Refill prescriptions and check on elderly neighbors to make sure they’re set.
✔ Bring pets inside and stay bundled up—this storm is bringing some serious cold.
⏳ When Will It Be Over?
- Heavy snow will keep falling through Friday night, tapering off Saturday.
- Even after the snow stops, roads could stay dangerous all weekend.
- Another storm might hit next week, so don’t put away that snow shovel yet.
This storm isn’t just another winter flurry—it’s a major weather event. If you don’t absolutely have to travel, stay home, stay warm, and wait it out. If you do have to go out, be prepared for extreme winter conditions and major delays.
