Major Snowstorm Sweeps Over California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains

A major snowstorm was creating hazardous conditions across California’s northern Sierra Nevada mountain range overnight into Monday, December 13, and forecasters said conditions would worsen later that day. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Sacramento forecasted 2 to 3 feet of snow to fall in many mountain areas, but between 3 and 6 feet of snow at elevations above 7,000 ft. Researchers at UC Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Laboratory (CSSL), situated at an elevation of 6,894 feet in Donner Pass, near Truckee, said 18.7 inches of snow had fallen at the station in 24 hours, bringing their 48-hour storm total up to 23.5 inches – “and it is still DUMPING outside,” they wrote on Twitter. This video shows heavy snow falling at the lab as they took their measurements Monday morning, the researchers said. The National Weather Service discouraged drivers from traveling through the mountains, warning that the “hazardous conditions” would get worse later on Monday, “with heavier snow and gusty winds.” Chain controls were in effect for several routes, including Interstate 80 between Drum Forebay and Truckee, meaning all vehicles were required to have tire chains or snow tires. Credit: UC Berkeley CSSL via Storyful

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