Winter Storm Warning Issued for Lake County and Northern Mendocino Interior

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Eureka, CA, has issued a Winter Storm Warning for elevations above 2500 feet. The alert indicates that severe winter weather conditions are likely and residents should prepare for significant impacts.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following regions in Northern California:

• Lake County: Including Northern and Southern Lake County.
• Northern Mendocino Interior: Including Northwestern and Northeastern Mendocino Interior.

What You Should Do

Residents are urged to stay indoors until conditions improve. If you must go outside, dress in multiple layers of clothing, including gloves, a scarf, and a hat, to reduce the risk of frostbite or hypothermia.

Travel is highly discouraged due to slick roadways and the possibility of downed trees and power lines. If travel is absolutely necessary, motorists should use extreme caution and keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in their vehicle for emergencies. For the latest road conditions, call 5-1-1. Do not touch downed power lines and report any outages to your local electric company.

Expected Conditions

• Snowfall: Heavy snow is expected above 2500 feet. Total accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are forecast, with localized amounts up to 14 inches possible for elevations above 3000 feet.
• Wind: Wind gusts could reach as high as 45 mph.
• Impacts: Roads, bridges, and overpasses are likely to become slick and hazardous. The combination of strong winds and heavy snow may down tree limbs and power lines, leading to sporadic power outages. The hazardous conditions are expected to impact Tuesday morning and evening commutes.

Timeline

The Winter Storm Warning is effective from 10:00 PM PST Tuesday, February 17, until 4:00 PM PST Wednesday, February 18.