Whiteout Conditions with 4 Feet Snow Expected for Sierra Nevada, 6-Inch Rain Could Soak Rest of California

Whiteout conditions are very likely in the Sierra Nevada with 4 feet of snow. However, the rest of California may get soaked because 6-inch rain is also anticipated.

This week, the West is once again in for a messy weather pattern as a combination of two distinct storm systems is expected to bring torrential rain, significant mountain snowfall, damaging wind gusts, and the potential for far-reaching and dangerous effects.

Whiteout Conditions

This storm is anticipated to have a significant impact on California through Wednesday.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, on Monday, the first wave was already sweeping the state from north to south. Late on Monday, the second wave arrives, and through Wednesday, there will be rain and significant mountain snowfall.

Heavy snowfall is predicted higher up in the mountains, such as the Sierra Nevada, in which 1 to 4 feet of snowfall is predicted above 4,000 feet.

Travel throughout the mountains will be extremely dangerous, if not impossible, due to wind gusts of 40 to 55 mph and heavy snowfall. Since most highways along the Sierra already require chains, which include Donner Pass on Interstate 80, Winter Storm Warnings were issued due to the anticipated risky travel conditions.

Winter Storm Warning

Due to the potential for 8 to 14 inches of snow, with isolated areas of up to 20 inches, above 6,000 feet, in the mountains of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura, and Riverside counties in Southern California, winter storm watches are in effect. On Wednesday morning, there may even be light snowfall along Interstate 5, near Grapevine, north of Los Angeles.

Until then, Southern California's lower mountains could receive 4 to 6 inches of rain. This would likely bring an end to the fire season in the Golden State and make it the second-least active season in the previous ten years.

According to Weather Nation, when cold air meets moisture on Tuesday morning through Wednesday, it will follow a period of intense rain that fell overnight Monday through Tuesday, raising the possibility of icing and more flash flooding.

Britta Merwin, a meteorologist from FOX Weather, said that Improvements won't start until midweek. The Sierra Nevada will likely receive a significant amount of snow, especially at higher elevations.

Blowing Snow

In Nevada, gusts of 65 mph or more will accompany strong winds and blowing snow, which will be a major concern for the lowland areas given that rainfall amounts are predicted to persist on the lighter side.

In the higher mountains, particularly in western Nevada where significant snowfall is possible, the storm's effects will be more widespread. Power outages could result from falling trees and limbs because of the snow and blustery winds. As cold air moves behind the weather system, temperatures will drop.

According to Yahoo News, the coldest air of the season is anticipated to arrive in Idaho and Montana's northern Rockies on Monday and stick around for the majority of the week.

Merwin said that Conditions could become dangerous for those who are caught off guard as a result. Pervasive mountain snow is anticipated in terms of precipitation, and travel implications in the passes are likely.

Significant snowfall is anticipated in the mountains approaching Thursday in Utah, to the south.

Soaking Rainfall

It is anticipated that precipitation will start on Monday and spread out over several rounds through Thursday, aided by numerous atmospheric rivers.

The mountains could receive over 1 to 2 feet of snow and winds of more than 60 mph in addition to the 1 to 2 inches of rainfall predicted.

Some travel-related effects are anticipated to persist Monday in Oregon and Washington, where stormy weather already has been present since the weekend, with snow levels falling to 2,000 feet.

It is possible that a few early-season snowflakes could be seen in the lowlands and valley floors, but the buildup is unlikely.

While widespread rain is anticipated to continue in the lowland areas, afternoon thundershowers are a distinct possibility. Highs are predicted to stay in the 40s, which is significantly below average for the area.

Gusty winds are anticipated to persist through Monday along with the precipitation, but they will mainly be constrained to southern Oregon, Fox Weather reports.