California Mountains Buried Under Record Snowfall
California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range is grappling with historic snowfall, with some areas accumulating as much as 10 feet over the past five days, according to Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch).
The intense winter weather has brought blizzard conditions to the mountains, disrupting travel and prompting search and rescue operations. Officials are advising people to avoid travel in the Sierras due to the hazardous conditions.
The relentless storms, fueled by an endless supply of Pacific moisture, are expected to continue impacting the region through Wednesday. Snow levels may drop below 1,000 feet as an upper-level low moves overhead, potentially bringing flurries to lower elevations.
The heavy precipitation is not limited to the mountains. Southern California is also experiencing significant rainfall and flooding. San Bernardino County officials are currently searching for a person who was swept away after driving into a flooded road north of Devore Heights late Tuesday night, the county fire department reported.
Further north, the search continues for nine skiers who went missing following an avalanche in Truckee on Tuesday morning, according to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.
This is the third in a series of storms to hit California, and forecasters predict more precipitation is on the way. AccuWeather reports that more than 10 feet of snow is expected to accumulate in the mountains into next week.
The recent snowfall is a dramatic shift from earlier conditions. A video posted on YouTube shows the Sierra Nevada area completely transformed after weeks of dry weather. The snow is piling up across the Sierra Nevada, with some areas already seeing nearly 100 inches by Tuesday morning, according to Weather.com.
The sheer volume of snow is creating dangerous conditions, and authorities are urging residents and visitors to take precautions. The ongoing storms highlight the power of atmospheric rivers, systems that transport large amounts of water vapor and can deliver significant precipitation.
While the snowfall is creating challenges, it also offers a potential boost to California’s water supply. The Sierra Nevada snowpack is a crucial source of water for the state, and the recent accumulation could help alleviate drought conditions.
