Blizzard is expected to bring “life-threatening” conditions to California

A rare warning for “life-threatening snowstorm conditions” is in effect for the Sierra Mountains, including Lake Tahoe, for a storm that could bring three feet of snow or more from Thursday through Sunday. according to forecasters.

Blizzard warnings are reserved for the worst snowstorms with blizzard conditions that can last for hours or, in this case, days, with the weather likely to make travel in the region treacherous. The National Weather Service in Reno, Nevada, has issued only eight blizzard warnings since 2002. The last warning in the Tahoe area was almost exactly a year ago: February 27, 2023.

Last year’s storm dumped two feet of snow in less than 24 hours, which, combined with previous snowfall, made it difficult to distinguish houses from snowbanks. Winds of up to 50 miles per hour combined with the light snow made it difficult to see things just a few feet away.

Back-to-back winter storms could happen in March.

Similar to last year’s late February storm, a storm off the Pacific Northwest coast will likely create a favorable pattern to transport moisture from the Pacific Ocean, combined with a cold air mass and strong winds into the Sierra. That will likely lead to additional days of snow and possible snowstorms. Snow has fallen in the region this year, but not nearly as much as last winter.

Snowpack in the Sierra, which provides 30 percent of the state’s water supply this year, is only about 80 percent of what it should be on Feb. 28. This storm could help the region catch up.

After a brief interruption late on Sunday, another storm could develop on Monday. Forecasters don’t believe the storm will be as strong as this weekend’s storm, but warn it will be worth watching.