(KRON) — The National Weather Service is warning of “extremely dangerous” travel conditions in the Sierra Nevada due to heavy snow and strong winds forecast for this weekend. Anywhere between 5 and 12 feet of snow is projected to fall at elevations over 5,000 feet beginning Friday into Saturday.
At lower elevations between 3,000 and 5,000 feet, 1 to 4 feet of snow is expected. Accompanying wind gusts could hit 65 mph over higher ridgetops.
This weekend’s blizzard has the potential to bring record-breaking snowfall, according to the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab. A blizzard warning is in effect for areas above 2,000 feet beginning Thursday and lasting through Sunday. The NWS is advising people to “avoid mountain travel this weekend,” and to “be prepared if you live there.”
KRON4 Meteorologist John Shrable advises Sierra Nevada residents to be prepared for possible power outages as a “major system” could dump “feet upon feet” of snow on the region.
“No travel into the Sierra these next few days,” Shrable advised. “Roadways will be almost impossible to traverse.”
Snow level could drop to as low as 1,500 to 2,000 feet on Saturday morning, potentially dropping snow on some Bay Area mountain tops. The storm will also bring pockets of heavy rain to the Bay Area in the coming days.
The NWS advises to be on the lookout for downed trees, branches and powerlines, particularly on Friday and Saturday.
