California is bracing for yet another brutal blast of winter, as a powerful cold storm and back-to-back Pacific systems threaten to bury mountain communities in several feet of snow, drench cities with relentless rain and trigger life-threatening flooding and travel chaos across much of the state in the coming days. From the Sierra Nevada to the San Francisco Bay shoreline and the high passes linking Northern and Southern California, officials are urging residents and travelers to prepare now for what forecasters describe as “dangerous to near impossible” conditions on the roads and in the air.
Storm Setup: A Cold Winter System With a Powerful Punch
Meteorologists say the latest winter onslaught taking aim at California combines a deep, cold low-pressure system dropping out of the Gulf of Alaska with a steady feed of Pacific moisture, creating a volatile mix of heavy mountain snow, strong winds and soaking rain at lower elevations. After an already active pattern in early February, the new storm began pushing into Northern California on Sunday, February 16, with rain spreading across the Bay Area and Central Valley as the atmosphere cooled.
According to forecasters with the National Weather Service, the key driver of the storm’s intensity will be the temperature profile over the state and the persistent jet stream steering waves of moisture directly into California. The system is cold enough to drive snow levels steadily downward over the next 48 to 72 hours, turning what begins as rain in some foothill locations into accumulating snow as the week progresses. In the high Sierra and other major ranges, that means heavy, prolonged snowfall on top of increasingly strong winds.
Authorities caution that the storm will arrive in phases. The first wave is delivering widespread rain and mountain snow from Sunday into Monday, followed by an even more potent surge of cold air and moisture Tuesday into Wednesday. Another system is expected to trail close behind late in the week, extending the period of hazardous weather across much of the state and significantly increasing the risk of cumulative impacts, from deepening snowpack to saturated soils and repeated flooding.
Snowfall Totals Measured in Feet, Not Inches
The most dramatic impacts are expected in California’s mountains, where storm totals are being measured not in inches but in feet. A winter storm warning has been posted for elevations roughly at and above 2,000 feet in the Sierra foothills and higher terrain, extending through at least Wednesday night. Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are forecast in many areas, with the potential for even heavier bursts during the peak of the storm.
By midweek, forecasters say, some of the state’s most heavily traveled mountain passes could be buried under extraordinary accumulations. Donner Pass, along Interstate 80, is projected to receive up to 7 feet of snow through Wednesday, while Blue Canyon could see between 3 and 6 feet. Farther downslope, foothill communities such as Colfax may pick up several inches, with snow levels dropping at times to as low as 1,000 to 1,500 feet, a rare occurrence that could bring wintry conditions to communities unaccustomed to significant snow.
Elsewhere in the Sierra, especially on west-facing slopes and high ridgelines, totals will stack up quickly as each new surge of moisture moves inland. Winter weather alerts already in place for parts of Northern and Central California anticipate “dangerous to near impossible travel conditions,” and the prospect of another storm arriving later in the week raises the likelihood of multi-day snowfall totals reaching many feet in the most exposed locations. Strong winds, with gusts topping 100 miles per hour along the highest ridges, will only intensify the fury of the storm, producing deep drifts and frequent whiteout conditions.
Flooding Threat Grows as Rain Pounds the Coast and Valleys
While mountain towns wrestle with enormous snow, lower elevations from the North Coast to the Los Angeles Basin face their own set of hazards. A broad shield of rain spread across the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California on Sunday, with forecasters warning that heavy downpours will continue at times through Monday and into early Tuesday. The National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood advisory for shorelines along the San Francisco and Monterey bays, noting that high astronomical tides coinciding with storm surge could produce minor but widespread flooding of low-lying areas through at least Tuesday.
In urban corridors, the primary concern is stormwater that simply has nowhere to go. Periods of intense rainfall risk overwhelming drainage systems, quickly ponding water on roads and backing up at highway on- and off-ramps. Local officials are warning drivers to avoid attempting to cross flooded roadways, stressing that even 12 inches of moving water can be powerful enough to sweep a vehicle away. Low-lying underpasses, intersections with poor drainage and areas near creeks and small rivers are all being closely monitored for sudden rises and potential flash flooding.
Farther south, additional rounds of rain are expected to soak coastal and inland communities later in the week as the storm track remains active. That raises particular concern in burn scar areas where wildfires have stripped slopes of vegetation, making them especially vulnerable to debris flows and mudslides under heavy rainfall. Emergency managers in multiple counties are on alert for the need to issue evacuation warnings or orders should rainfall intensities exceed thresholds known to trigger dangerous slope failures.
Travel Chaos on Roads, Rails and in the Air
Transportation networks across California are already straining under the first impacts of the storm, with conditions expected to deteriorate rapidly as snow and rain intensify. By Monday morning, chain controls were in place along major trans-Sierra arteries, including Interstate 80 from east of Baxter in Placer County to Truckee and Highway 50 from Twin Bridges to Meyers. Officials have warned that additional restrictions, lengthy closures and detours are likely as plows struggle to keep up with heavy snowfall and powerful gusts that blow snow back over cleared lanes.
State transportation agencies are urging drivers to postpone or cancel nonessential mountain travel entirely for the first half of the week. Those who must venture into higher elevations are being told to carry tire chains, emergency supplies, and enough fuel, food and water to endure prolonged delays. Low visibility caused by blowing snow and near-whiteout conditions will compound the danger, as will the risk of spin-outs and jackknifed trucks on steep grades and sharp curves.
Air travel is also facing mounting disruptions. While major California airports remain open, strong crosswinds, turbulence and low cloud ceilings associated with the storm are expected to cause delays and cancellations, particularly during the heaviest periods of rain and mountain snow. Late winter is already a busy travel period for ski vacations and business trips, and the timing of this storm, following earlier severe weather across the United States, is likely to reverberate through national flight schedules as aircraft and crews fall out of position.
Rail and bus services are preparing for knock-on effects as well. Past California storms of similar intensity have forced Amtrak and regional rail operators to suspend or curtail service along segments vulnerable to landslides, washouts or snow-blocked tracks. Public transit agencies are staging additional personnel and equipment but warn that service adjustments may be unavoidable if conditions worsen or infrastructure is damaged.
Power Outages, Dangerous Winds and Structural Strain
Beyond flooding and travel, this storm’s strong winds are expected to test California’s power grid and infrastructure. Southerly winds accompanying the first phases of the system are forecast to gust up to 50 miles per hour in parts of the Bay Area and coastal Northern California, prompting wind advisories from Monday into midweek. As the storm migrates south and inland, valleys and coastal plains across the state will see periods of gusty winds, while mountain ridges endure far more extreme conditions.
High winds, especially when combined with saturated soils and heavy snow loading, pose a dual threat. Trees with shallow root systems may topple more easily in waterlogged ground, bringing down power lines and blocking roads. In higher terrain, the weight of several feet of wet, dense snow on roofs, decks and carports can become a serious structural concern, particularly for older buildings or those not designed for such loads. Officials are reminding residents in snow-prone areas to monitor accumulating snow on roofs and safely remove excess where possible, while staying mindful of the risks of working at height in icy, windy conditions.
Utilities across the state have pre-positioned crews and equipment in anticipation of outages. In previous winter storms of similar scope, hundreds of thousands of customers have lost power as lines were felled by falling branches or coated with ice and snow. Prolonged outages during freezing conditions can quickly turn dangerous, especially for vulnerable populations who rely on electric heat or medical equipment. Authorities are advising residents to ensure they have flashlights, blankets and backup charging options on hand and to avoid using outdoor grills or generators indoors, where carbon monoxide can accumulate to deadly levels.
Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Slammed by the Storm
California’s lucrative tourism industry, which benefits from both winter sports in the mountains and year-round coastal attractions, is likely to take a hit as the storm unfolds. Ski resorts in the Lake Tahoe region and in the central Sierra are welcoming the deep snow that replenishes their slopes and bolsters the state’s water supply. But the sheer intensity of the storm, coupled with dangerous travel conditions on approach roads, is forcing many operators to weigh temporary closures of lifts or entire resorts until conditions stabilize.
Visitors already in mountain communities may find themselves effectively snowed in as plows focus on keeping primary routes open for emergency access. Hotels and vacation rentals are preparing to extend stays and provide additional services for guests stuck longer than planned. At the same time, local authorities are discouraging new arrivals during the height of the storm, warning that rescues may not be possible in whiteout conditions or when avalanche danger rises.
Along the coast and in major cities, from San Francisco’s waterfront to Southern California’s beaches and theme parks, persistent rain and wind are dampening visitor numbers and forcing the cancellation of outdoor tours, cruises and special events. Operators are revisiting contingency plans developed during previous atmospheric river events and winter storms, shifting to indoor programming where possible or offering flexible rebooking policies. For small businesses that depend on steady tourist traffic, even a few days of severe weather can have outsized financial consequences.
How Californians Are Being Urged to Prepare
With so many hazards converging at once, emergency managers and weather officials are working to deliver a clear message: preparation in the hours before conditions deteriorate could be critical to staying safe. Residents in flood-prone areas are being encouraged to check local forecasts, sign up for emergency alerts and move vehicles and belongings out of low-lying zones wherever feasible. Sandbag distribution sites have opened in several counties, and crews are inspecting storm drains and culverts to improve runoff where they can.
For those living or traveling in mountainous or foothill regions, authorities stress that this week is not the time for unnecessary trips. People are advised to stock up on essential supplies, from food and drinking water to necessary medications, in case roads become impassable for several days. Drivers who must cross the Sierra or other high passes are told to equip vehicles with chains, warm clothing, blankets and basic emergency kits, and to inform friends or family of their routes and expected arrival times.
Urban residents face a more familiar but still serious set of precautions. Clearing gutters, checking sump pumps, parking away from large trees where feasible and keeping mobile phones fully charged can all reduce the risk of storm-related damage or disruptions. Authorities also urge people to check on neighbors, particularly older adults and those with limited mobility, who may have difficulty navigating flooded streets or coping with power outages and cold indoor temperatures.
A Longer Winter Pattern With More Systems Lined Up
Even as Californians focus on the immediate impacts of this powerful cold storm, forecasters warn that the broader pattern remains active and could keep the state under the gun for additional rounds of rain and snow. Meteorologists expect several more systems to line up over the eastern Pacific, guided by a jet stream that continues to funnel energy and moisture into the West Coast. That means the risk of cumulative impacts, including river flooding, saturated hillsides and towering mountain snowpack, will only grow in the days ahead.
This February’s storm follows a series of intense winter events over recent years that have brought both relief from drought and episodes of destructive flooding and avalanche danger. As scientists continue to study the links between a warming climate and the behavior of Pacific storms, Californians on the ground are once again confronting the immediate realities of powerful winter weather: closed highways, darkened neighborhoods, roaring rivers and relentless snowfall piling ever higher in the high country.
For now, the message from forecasters and emergency officials is consistent and urgent. The worst conditions may still be ahead over the next several days, particularly in the Sierra Nevada and other high terrain, and even lower-elevation communities should not underestimate the potential for flooding, damaging winds and travel upheaval. As the ultimate winter storm bears down, the question for millions across the state is no longer whether the fury is coming, but whether they are truly ready for its full force.