Winter Storm Watch: Up to 7 Feet of Snow Forecast to Fall on NorCal Mountains
On November 1st, an early-season snowstorm blanketed the Northern California mountains with 4 feet of snow. Exactly a month later, another storm system is forecast to do the same thing, and it could even up the ante.
The first storm entered NorCal on Thursday night and is expected to fall through Friday. Then on Saturday, another major storm is expected to arrive and drop even more snow through Monday, finishing the week with up to 7 feet of snowfall.
The first storm is the smaller of the two, which is saying quite a bit. From early Thursday to Friday night, snow accumulations could reach 3-4 feet, with the most coming at the highest elevations of Lassen Volcanic National Park. Heavy snowfall is expected throughout NorCal, including Mt. Shasta, Tahoe and the Eastern Sierra. According to the National Weather Service, this storm could be fierce.
“Northern California mountains, including the Sierra Nevada, will have major impacts through tonight,” wrote the NWS in a statement. “At the peak, very heavy snow rates in excess of 3 inches per hour are forecast, leading to dangerous or impossible travel. Backcountry avalanches are also possible.”
After a brief break in the weather, the second storm is expected to arrive Saturday morning and drop another 3-4 feet throughout NorCal. After the storms pass on Monday, the high-elevation areas of NorCal will be BURIED.
The @NWSWPC has upped precipitation totals significantly in the Sierra Nevada, with up 6-8 inches of liquid expected along the crest and western slopes.
— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) December 1, 2022
By early next week, we could be talking about 5-7 feet of new snow along the Sierra Crest! #CAwx pic.twitter.com/K6BoDGjm2h
Snow is expected to fall all the way down to 2,500 feet, significantly impacting travel through the weekend. The roads had already begun to issue chain controls as of Thursday morning and we could even see full closures through the peak of the storms on Thursday and Saturday/Sunday. Mountain travel is high discouraged through the weekend.
Winds are expected to be fierce throughout the week. Forecasts show 100+ mph winds along high-elevation ridges, likely closing many ski resorts in Tahoe and the Eastern Sierra.
The question is, are you stoked for this winter storm?
