Pacific storm to bring heavy snow, strong winds, and dangerous travel conditions to Sierra Nevada and northern California
Updated forecasts indicate heavy snow and rain in California from Wednesday, March 11, to Thursday, March 12, 2025, with increasing winds and snow expected in the southern Intermountain West later in the week and the northern Great Plains over the weekend.
A Pacific storm is forecast to bring heavy snowfall and strong winds to the Sierra Nevada and northern California from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday, March 13, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Prediction Center (WPC).
Wind gusts of 64–113 km/h (40–70 mph) below major mountain passes will create hazardous to potentially impassable travel conditions in affected areas.
Snow accumulations of 30–90 cm (1–3 feet) or more, combined with high winds, may result in scattered power outages.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall with rates of up to 13 mm (0.5 inches) per hour is expected in southern California from Wednesday through Thursday morning. This may cause flash flooding, shallow debris flows over burn scars, isolated rockslides, and hazardous travel conditions due to water accumulation and slick roads.
Heavy snowfall above 1 520 m (5 000 feet) and strong winds from Thursday through Friday, March 13–14, will result in widespread hazardous travel conditions across much of the southern Intermountain West and the Rockies.
Between Friday and Saturday, March 14–15, the low-pressure system will intensify as it moves from the Central to Northern Plains, producing heavy snowfall and strong winds that may lead to blowing snow and blizzard conditions, making travel hazardous. A wintry mix is also possible in parts of the Dakotas and Minnesota.
References:
1 Short Range Forecast Discussion – NWS/WPC – March 11, 2025
2 CW3E AR Update – CW3E – March 10, 2025
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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