The National Weather Service has issued a severe winter storm warning for Northern California, threatening significant travel disruptions across the region during the Presidents Day holiday weekend. Communities are bracing for several feet of snow, with the Sierra Nevada and its popular ski resorts expected to face the brunt of the impact.
Major Travel Impacts Expected
Meteorologists are advising extreme caution for those planning journeys to and from the Sierra Nevada, highlighting the potential for major travel impacts. Dakari Anderson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sacramento, emphasized that while conditions remained quiet on Saturday, the storm is set to intensify from Sunday afternoon onwards.
Best Travel Window Identified
Despite the impending severe weather, there is a brief opportunity for safer travel. Anderson noted that Saturday through Sunday morning represents the best travel window for those making their way for the holiday weekend. However, this respite is short-lived, as heavy snowfall is forecast to begin later on Sunday.
Snowfall Projections and Affected Areas
Communities situated at elevations of 3,000 to 4,000 feet can expect to be blanketed with between 1 and 2 feet of snow. Higher elevations are likely to see much more substantial accumulations, possibly reaching 6 to 8 feet. Among the hardest-hit areas may be Blue Canyon, a sparsely populated unincorporated community at 4,695 feet of elevation, approximately 51 miles west of Lake Tahoe.
Anderson explained, "Our highest snow accumulations are going to be in those kind of more hard-to-reach places, but we’re still going to see some of those heavier amounts in communities that are populated."
Local Warnings and Preparations
The City of South Lake Tahoe has warned residents via social media that driving on Monday could lead to delays, possible road closures, and whiteout conditions. Similarly, the Shasta County Sheriff's Office urged residents to use the clear weather on Saturday to prepare for the storm, noting that winter is not quite done yet despite the spring-like conditions earlier in 2026.
Broader Regional Impact
This winter event is expected to span several days and could also affect portions of western Nevada and southern Oregon, extending the travel disruptions beyond California's borders. The storm serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of winter weather, even as the season winds down.
Residents and travelers are strongly advised to monitor weather updates, plan accordingly, and exercise extreme caution to ensure safety during this hazardous period.
