California Snowpocalypse: Mammoth Blizzard Wreaks Havoc on Sierra Nevada

California Blizzard Brings Chaos and Danger : shuts down roads and ski resorts

Over the weekend, was slammed by a powerful blizzard that wreaked havoc across the Sierra Nevada mountain range. This formidable event, known for its combination of dry, powdery and fierce winds, even included lightning strikes. At its peak, the blizzard unleashed staggering snowfall rates of up to 152 mm per hour and gusts reaching a staggering 190 mph.

By Saturday morning, the Mammoth Mountain ski area had already received 0.6 meters of , prompting its closure for safety reasons. The National Service didn't mince words, describing the situation as life-threatening. As the night wore on, the snowfall persisted, with accumulations reaching a staggering 3.7 meters in the highest elevations by Sunday morning.

Warnings for extreme avalanches blanketed the greater Tahoe region until the afternoon, urging residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary risks. While conditions may appear calmer at the start of the week, the looming threat of further snowfall on Wednesday looms overhead.

Northern communities bore the brunt of the blizzard's impact, with the Sierra Nevadas facing relentless onslaught starting Thursday. High-elevation areas were buried under heaps of snow, accompanied by destructive hurricane-like winds.

The Prediction Center issued a dire warning on Saturday, citing "extremely heavy snowfall rates" of 2-6 inches per hour, coupled with winds exceeding 100 mph, which would maintain treacherous travel conditions in the Sierra Nevada.

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, a measure of intensity, classified sustained speeds between 96 and 110 mph as Category 2, signifying "extremely dangerous" conditions capable of causing extensive damage.

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Chief forecaster and ideologist of the weather forecast service Pogodnik. Co-author of scientific articles and specialized content for various online media.