Winter Storm Warning Issued for White Mountains of Inyo County; Heavy Snow and High Winds Expected

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Las Vegas, NV, has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the White Mountains of Inyo County. The alert is effective from 4:00 AM PST on Monday, February 16, through 10:00 PM PST on Wednesday, February 18.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the White and Inyo Mountains. Officials note that travel on Highway 168, especially through Westgard Pass, will be difficult to impossible at times during this weather event.

What You Should Do

Residents are urged to stay indoors until conditions improve. If you must go outside, dress in multiple layers of clothing to maintain body heat and cover exposed skin to reduce the risk of frostbite or hypothermia. Essential items include gloves, a scarf, and a hat.

Authorities recommend delaying all travel. Motorists who find travel absolutely necessary should use extreme caution.

Expected Conditions

Heavy snow is possible across the region with the following total accumulations expected:

• Above 8,000 feet: Exceeding 2 feet
• Above 7,000 feet: 1 to 2 feet
• Down to 6,000 feet: 8 to 16 inches

Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. These conditions may cause visibilities to drop below one-quarter mile due to falling and blowing snow. Additionally, strong winds could cause tree damage.

Timeline

The warning begins at 4:00 AM PST on Monday and is scheduled to expire at 10:00 PM PST on Wednesday. Snowfall rates are expected to decrease for a period from late Monday night into Tuesday morning, before increasing again by mid-day Tuesday.