Monster Sierra snow: Winter storm brings big travel problems

One of the strongest winter storm of winter has arrived, bringing dangerous travel conditions to the the California Sierras and Cascades. More than 10 feet of snow will fall in parts of the Sierra.

As our WeatherRadar shows, coastal and valley rain and mountain snow extends from central California northward into Washington. Through the weekend, the storm will bring rain and snow across the West.

Here is the rundown of what the storm will produce:

Heavy rain will continue to soak the West Coast through Saturday, with the heaviest continuing to fall along the California and Oregon coastlines. A couple inches of rain will add to the winter water surplus developing across many parts of the West.

The biggest trouble from this major winter storm will be mountain snow hitting the Cascades and Sierras.

The Cascades will receive several days of snow, with several feet of snow causing problems.roblems.

It will be even worse in the Sierras. Heavy snow is walloping the entire length of the range and it will continue through the weekend. Several feet of snow has already piled up by midday Friday, with even more expected, especially at elevations above 5,000 feet. Snowfall rates in excess of 3 inches an hour are possible through Saturday and there will be places that could receive more than 12 feet – yes feet -- of snow by the time it ends.

At a snow lab high in the Central Sierras, this snowfall could be the biggest one since records began in 1950.

The snow is very dense and is sticking to everything. This is why travel is discouraged and Yosemite National Park has closed due to the expected bad weather.

The storm is producing high winds as it roars ashore. Winds over 60 mph are likely with higher gusts found across the Sierras. A gust of 145 mph was recorded at a ski resort near Lake Tahoe.

These high winds are producing blizzard conditions throughout the Sierras, making it impossible to travel as snow drifts across roads and white-out conditions can be disorienting. Traveling isn’t recommended.

A blizzard warning is in effect, and the last blizzard warning issued this late in the year for the Sierra’s was in 2018.

The high winds will also cause problems along the coast and many valley locations. High waves will batter the coast while blowing dust will lower visibility in the Central Valley, Inland Empire and across the Great Basin. Localized power outages are possible.

The Weather Weather & Radar Task Force is in effect and our team of meteorologists will be providing updates throughout the event.