California blizzard leaves residents tunneling out with more snow on the way: Live
Communities across the region were digging out after snow reached up to roof lines in some towns
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Snow continued to fall across parts of California and Nevada on Tuesday after a blizzard dumped up to 10ft of snow, shutting down major highways for three days and trapping people in their homes.
Isolated, light snow showers would continue across the Sierra Nevada until Thursday morning, the National Weather Service reported, but drier and warmer conditions were expected by the end of the week.
Communities across the region were digging out after snow reached up to roof lines in some towns, and trapped people inside. More than 7,500 customers remained without power in some California counties, according to utility tracker poweroutage.us.
Localized, heavy rainfall is expected on Tuesday for northern California with downpours moving into southern California on Wednesday. Due a recent glut of atmospheric rivers hitting the state, there will be the threat of isolated flash flooding, NWS reported.
West coast weather forecast: The latest
An influx of moisture from the Pacific was targeting northern California and the southern Pacific Northwest into the northern Great Basin and Rockies.
Several more inches of snow are forecast from the southern Cascades and northern Sierra east to the Tetons in Wyoming. A cold front has also brought snow to lower elevations from southern Oregon to western Idaho.
In northern and central California, snowfall will taper off on Wednesday. However, localized, heavy rainfall is expected in southern California, the National Weather Service reported.
Due a recent glut of atmospheric rivers hitting the state, there will be the threat of isolated flash flooding, NWS reported.
Downpours incoming
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles shared the potential rainfall amounts for the incoming storm system. Rain and mountain snow is expected to spread through the area on Wednesday.
The heaviest downpours will be north of Pasadena, east of Ojai and north of Santa Barbara in Santa Ynez and Big Pine Mountain.
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Donner Pass, a stretch of road 7,088 feet above sea level in Nevada County, California, was hit with 80 inches of snow over the weekend as the state battled one of its most historic snowstorms.
What is the Donner pass, the California route notorious for cannibalism incident
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In pictures: Californians dig out from crippling blizzard
West coast weather forecast: The latest
An influx of moisture from the Pacific was targeting northern California and the southern Pacific Northwest into the northern Great Basin and Rockies.
Several more inches of snow are forecast from the southern Cascades and northern Sierra east to the Tetons in Wyoming. A cold front has also brought snow to lower elevations from southern Oregon to western Idaho.
In northern and central California, snowfall will taper off on Wednesday. However, localized, heavy rainfall is expected in southern California, the National Weather Service reported.
Due a recent glut of atmospheric rivers hitting the state, there will be the threat of isolated flash flooding, NWS reported.
2 snowmobilers killed in separate avalanches in Washington and Idaho
Two snowmobilers have been killed in separate avalanches in Washington state and in Idaho.
Two snowmobilers riding in the Cascade Mountains west of Yakima, Washington, triggered a slide Friday in a bowl near Darland Mountain, according to the Northwest Avalanche Center. The rider who did not survive was described as fully buried. The rider’s name wasn’t released.
“While we don’t know for sure, this avalanche likely failed on older persistent weak layers in the snowpack,” the organization said, adding that many other areas are dealing with the same problem. (Associated Press)
Wall of snow blocks door at California ski resort during severe storm
Wall of snow blocks office door at California ski resort during severe storm
A wall of snow blocked an office door at a northern California ski resort on Saturday, 2 March, after a powerful storm dumped more than 10ft (3 metres). Jon Slaughter's marketing team at Sugar Bowl had to dig down several feet and then tunnel through to the front door to get inside the building during the severe weather. Staff were confronted by a solid wall of snow filling the door to the outside on the second level of the building. The ski resort nestled recorded the highest amounts of snow from the storm that began on Thursday and was finally dissipating on Monday, National Weather Service in Sacramento said.
Texas wildfires rage on
Fire crews are still struggling to get a handle on the wildfires burning across northern Texas as one blaze jumped the state border into Oklahoma.
Strong winds and dry conditions this past weekend exacerbated flames, including the Smokehouse Creek Fire which remains only 15 per cent contained, according to the forest service. The fires began late last month.
Follow The Independent’s live blog below.
Texas wildfires: Massive blazes burn 1.3million acres as potential cause revealed
There’s still no end in sight for Smokehouse Creek fire which is now five times the size of New York City
Downpours incoming
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles shared the potential rainfall amounts for the incoming storm system. Rain and mountain snow is expected to spread through the area on Wednesday.
The heaviest downpours will be north of Pasadena, east of Ojai and north of Santa Barbara in Santa Ynez and Big Pine Mountain.
How to prepare for a blizzard
Residents under a blizzard warning should get food, water and medicine before a storm kicks in because nearby stores might be closed.
According to the American Red Cross, people should also create two types of supply kits: a go-kit and a stay-at-home kit.
A go-kit, which could be used if seeking shelter elsewhere, should have critical backup batteries and chargers for electronic devices. Emergency supplies to keep in a vehicle should include a blanket, warm clothing, a first-aid kit and boots.
Residents close to the snow storm site should avoid travel as much as possible.
A stay-kit should have at least two weeks of supplies. Individuals should also prepare to have appropriate clothing and set aside one gallon of drinking water per person. A one month supply of any necessary medication is also recommended.
Financial and medical records should be easily accessible.
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