Winter Storm Warning Announced for up to 60 Inches of Snow This Weekend
Winter is in full swing, with snow falling in the Northeast, Midwest and even all the way out in California.
In fact, parts of the Golden State are under serious winter storm warnings through the weekend, with some areas of higher elevation possibly receiving multiple feet of snow.
60--yes, 60--inches may accumulate in some spots
The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Hanford, California issued a "Winter Storm Warning" on Thursday, which will go into effect at 1 a.m. local time on Saturday and run through 10 a.m. Monday morning.
The warning, which covers Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge, Kings Canyon National Park, the Upper San Joaquin River and Yosemite National Park outside of the valley, calls for "heavy snow," with 6-to-18 inches accumulating between 6,000 and 7,000 feet and 36-to-60 inches accumulating above 8,000 feet.
Winds above 40 mph are also expected, with travel labeled "difficult to impossible."
Yosemite National Park, as usual, has been experiencing heavy snowfall, with 100 inches recently forecasted for a three-day stretch in late December.
2-to-4 feet of snow possible elsewhere
There are two other winter storm warnings of note for California, one from NWS Hanford and the other from NWS Sacramento. Both run through Monday morning.
The former alert covers the Grant Grove Area, Sequoia National Park and South End of the Upper Sierra, including the cities of Johnsondale, Hume Lake, Lodgepole, Giant Forest, and Grant Grove. In this region, elevations above 8,000 feet may receive 2-to-4 feet of accumulated snowfall this weekend.
The latter warning, for West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada and western Plumas County/Lassen Park above 5000 feet, projects significant snowfall above 5,000 feet, with possibly 2-to-4 feet of snow above 6,000 feet.
"Snow levels 6500-7500 feet Friday night into Saturday morning, lowering to 5000 to 6000 feet Saturday afternoon into Sunday, and further to around 4500 to 5500 feet by early Monday morning. Heaviest snow expected on Sunday," the NWS said, adding that "hazardous conditions" are in play from Friday night through Monday, meaning residents should avoid travel if possible.