SIERRA NEVADA, CALIFORNIA — A powerful atmospheric river is expected to unleash a dangerous and potentially life-threatening winter storm across the Sierra Nevada range next week, with forecast models showing 4 to 8 feet of snow in higher elevations from Monday through Thursday. Winds could exceed 55 mph at lower elevations and top 100 mph at high elevations, creating extreme travel and avalanche conditions.
The event is shaping up to be one of the more significant mountain storms of the season for California.
4 to 8 Feet of Snow Expected in the Sierra
Forecast guidance indicates prolonged heavy snowfall across much of the central and northern Sierra Nevada, including areas near:
- Lake Tahoe
- Yosemite National Park
- Mammoth Mountain
- High-elevation passes along Highway 50 and Interstate 80
Snowfall totals in the most favored terrain could reach 48 to 96 inches, with some localized peaks potentially exceeding that range depending on storm duration and moisture intensity.
The heaviest snowfall is projected along the western slopes of the range, where strong Pacific moisture will be forced upward by the mountains — a process known as orographic lift.
Powerful Atmospheric River Driving the Storm
This event is being fueled by a robust Pacific atmospheric river, a long corridor of concentrated moisture aimed directly at California’s central coastline and Sierra region…