Multiple Weather Warnings Including Avalanche Watch in Effect Over Sierra Counties as Powerful Winter Storm Passes Through California

The Sierra Counties are up for multiple weather warnings, with Avalanche Watch being one, as the powerful winter storm passes through California.

Northern California is anticipated to receive several inches of rain and strong winds from the same potent winter storm.

Slick I-80

The I-80 chain controls have been removed, according to the California Highway Patrol, but authorities are still cautioning drivers to use caution because the roads are very slick and wet right now. Drivers must drive more cautiously and slowly.

Chain restrictions are currently in place on a significant Sierra highway. R2 from the Donner Lake interchange to Rainbow on Interstate 80 in the westbound direction. According to Caltrans, R2 runs eastbound from Kingvale to Donner Lake. Highway 50 is not currently subject to any restrictions.

Bus Bridge

According to Sacramento RT, there is a bus bridge in place on the Gold Line in both directions from Mather Field/Mills to the Sunrise stations. It's unclear what exactly justifies the requirement for a bus bridge.

Localized Urban Flooding

The National Weather Service has issued a warning that the Sierra could experience increased runoff and localized urban flooding due to the heavy rain expected between now and Tuesday. They also issued warnings about lone thunderstorms that may produce hail and lightning.

Severe Winter Storm

Beginning late Monday, the severe winter storm is predicted to make landfall in Northern California, bringing with it several inches of rain and strong winds.

It is being referred to as a "major weather pattern change" by the National Weather Service office in Sacramento, which will bring numerous rounds of snow and rain through the week and into the weekend.

Tuesday could see 1 to 3 inches of rain in coastal areas from an atmospheric river, or a weather system that transports high concentrations of water vapor outside of the tropics, according to the National Weather Service. Higher elevations could see up to 3 to 5 inches of rain.

The strongest possible rating for the atmospheric river is Category 3, with a maximum rating of 5.

The NWS predicts that a low-level pressure system currently forming will move through Washington late Tuesday and drag a plume of extremely moist air over California early Tuesday through early Wednesday.

Multiple Weather Watches

High Wind Warning. A high wind warning will be in effect beginning Monday at 10 PM and continuing through Tuesday at 10 PM, according to the National Weather Service. Along the ridges, they predict gusts of more than 100 mph and southwest winds of up to 65 mph. Travel will be challenging for prominent vehicles. Trees and powerlines may sustain damage. Power outages are predicted, and hazardous boating conditions are issued.

Wind Advisory. There will be a wind advisory for Pyramid Lake and the western Nevada Basin and Range. At 10:00 pm, that warning will take effect. it starts on Monday and lasts until Tuesday at 10 PM.

Winter Storm Warning. A winter storm warning will be in effect for Mono County and the Greater Lake Tahoe area starting at 10 AM on Tuesday and lasting until 10 AM on Wednesday.

Winter Weather Advisory. The eastern Plumas, Lassen, and eastern Sierra counties will be under a winter weather advisory beginning at 10 AM Tuesday and lasting until 10 AM Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Travelers are advised to be ready for challenging road conditions in the eastern Sierras on Tuesday, which will spread out on Wednesday.

Avalanche Watch. For the eastern Sierra, in the counties of Inyo and Mono, there is a Backcountry Avalanche Watch in effect.

Powerful Winter Storm

The change in weather occurs as millions of Americans struggle to survive a bitter winter storm that has engulfed much of the country.

According to CBS News, that storm was responsible for at least 38 weather-related fatalities nationwide.

The storm's size, which stretches from the Rio Grande close to the Mexican border, stretching to the Great Lakes near Canada, has almost never been seen before. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures fell sharply below average from east of the Rocky Mountains to the Appalachians, and about 60% of the US population was under one or more winter weather advisories or warnings.

According to the flight tracking website FlightAware, thousands of US flights were canceled on Saturday and nearly 3,000 more as of Sunday night.