It’s a ski-lover’s dream and a traveler’s nightmare.
A major storm rolling down the west coast of the U.S. is forecast to bring a crushing blizzard to the mountains and flooding rain to the lower elevations.
From Thursday to Sunday, the highest elevations of the Sierra Nevada mountains in California could eclipse 100 inches of snow. That is more than 8 feet!
In addition to the incredible snow accumulation, the wind will also be howling.
Wind gusts could top 60 mph, creating white out conditions and massive drifting. Blizzard warnings are in effect for the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
This part of the country is no stranger to extreme snowfall.
When a storm system slides down the west coast, Pacific moisture is forced inland and up the mountains. This process called orographic lift enhances precipitation.
When the moisture extends hundreds to miles into the Pacific, the event is known as an atmospheric river.
Flooding will be likely in the lower elevations through the weekend with several inches of rain expected. The weather will quiet down for the west coast early next week.
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