I received this notice a few minutes ago. Please, if you were planning on coming to the mountains this weekend, seriously consider putting it off. I've only seen three of these warnings in the years I've lived here and people take them VERY SERIOUSLY!!
Western Plumas County/Lassen Park-West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada-245 pm PST Wed Jan 2 2008
The National Weather Service in Sacramento has issued a blizzard warning...which is in effect from 4 am Friday to 4 am PST Saturday. The winter storm watch is no longer in effect.
The first in a series of storms is forecast to impact the Sierra Nevada late Thursday through Friday morning. A second more powerful storm will move through the Sierra Cascade range Friday afternoon through Saturday morning.
Snowfall amounts from 3 to 5 feet are expected over the Sierra Nevada between Thursday evening and Saturday morning above snow levels with several more feet of snow possible at the highest elevations. Snowfall is likely to accumulate at a rate of several inches per hour at times through the warning period...the heaviest snowfall expected Friday afternoon with the stronger second system.
In addition to the heavy snowfall...strong winds are expected. Wind speed gusts in excess of 65 mph are expected with the Thursday night system and wind speed gusts in excess of 100 mph possible on Friday afternoon with the second system. The combination of heavy snow and powerful wind will likely cause frequent whiteout conditions. Travel over the higher passes will be very difficult...if not impossible at times between Thursday evening and Saturday morning.
The wind and snow may decrease by mid day Saturday...but will not entirely end. A third...colder storm is expected to move over the area late Saturday into Sunday with a foot or more of additional snow possible.
Snow levels will begin around 5500 to 6000 Thursday night into Friday. Lower snow levels are expected Friday night into Saturday...from 3500 to 4500 feet. Even lower snow levels are forecast for Saturday night and Sunday.
A blizzard warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout
conditions...making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If you must...have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded...stay with your vehicle.