California Facing Another Record Winter Storm with Historic Snowfall

Snowfall forecasts in the Sierra Nevada have remained consistent over the past few days, with the probability of higher-end totals increasing as the storm approaches. Up to 12 feet of snow is possible along the western Sierra crest, including Donner Pass, with up to 4 feet in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Locations along Interstate 80 in Placer County, including the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab, could set single-day snowfall records, topping the previous high of 49 inches, set at Squaw Valley (now Palisades Tahoe) in 1958. A blizzard warning is in effect from Thursday morning through Sunday morning.

Fox Weather notes that the record snowfall in California’s mountain regions could be as high as 10 feet, with the worst of it being felt in the Sierra Nevada. People have been advised to avoid mountain travel through the weekend.  The NWS Reno Office even warned that walking outside could be hazardous.

“We’re getting to the point where snowfall amount probabilities in the Sierra/northeast (California) won’t even matter,” warned the NWS Reno Office. “Snow amounts will be so much and difficult to accurately measure due to strong winds producing prolonged periods of near-zero visibility and blowing/drifting snow capable of burying vehicles and making it difficult to locate roads.”

“Even walking outside would not be advised during this storm as a person could quickly become lost or disoriented,” it added.

First impacts of the storm have already been felt in Washington and Oregon.

Paul Roland Bois directed the award-winning feature film, EXEMPLUM, which can be viewed for FREE on YouTube or Tubi. “Better than Killers of the Flower Moon,” wrote Mark Judge. “You haven’t seen a story like this before,” wrote Christian Toto. A high-quality, ad-free stream can also be purchased on Google Play or Vimeo on Demand. Follow him on Twitter @prolandfilms or Instagram @prolandfilms.