Winter Storm Warning Issued for Mono County: Up to 4 Feet of Snow and 100 MPH Gusts Expected

Weather Alerts high NOAA · · Mono County, California

A major winter storm is forecast to bring heavy snow and dangerous winds to Mono County from Sunday night through Wednesday evening, making travel potentially impossible.

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Reno, NV, has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Mono County. The alert is effective starting at 10:00 PM PST on Sunday, February 15, and remains in effect until 10:00 PM PST on Wednesday, February 18.

Affected Areas

The warning covers Mono County. Specific areas mentioned include the Sierra crest, regions along and west of US395, and the Chalfant Valley.

What You Should Do

Officials advise that if you must travel, you should keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Residents and travelers should prepare for very difficult to impossible travel conditions and potential power outages. To check the latest road conditions, call 5 1 1.

Expected Conditions

  • Snow Accumulations: Heavy snow is expected throughout the region. Areas along and west of US395 can expect 1 to 3 feet of snow. The highest elevations along the Sierra crest may see accumulations between 3 and 4 feet. The Chalfant Valley is forecast to receive lesser amounts of 2 to 4 inches.
  • Wind Speeds: General wind gusts are expected to reach 35 to 45 mph. Wind-prone locations along US395 could see gusts up to 65 mph, while the Sierra ridge may experience extreme gusts exceeding 100 mph.
  • Hazardous Impacts: Periods of whiteout conditions are likely, which could make travel impossible. The combination of heavy snow and very strong winds may cause significant damage to trees and power lines.

Timeline

The Winter Storm Warning begins at 10:00 PM PST Sunday, February 15. Conditions are expected to rapidly deteriorate by Monday evening. The most intense snowfall rates are anticipated to occur from Monday night through Tuesday evening. The warning is scheduled to expire at 10:00 PM PST Wednesday, February 18.

Source: NOAA Official Notice