Winter Storm Warning Issued for White Mountains of Inyo County Through Wednesday Night

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 currently in effect and remains active until 10:00 PM PST on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the White and Inyo Mountains. Significant impacts are expected on Highway 168, particularly through Westgard Pass, where travel may become difficult to impossible at times.

What You Should Do

Persons 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. Use gloves, a scarf, and a hat to prevent heat loss. Officials recommend delaying all travel. If travel is absolutely necessary, motorists must exercise extreme caution.

Expected Conditions

Heavy snow is forecast for the region with the following accumulations:

• 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 are expected to gust as high as 50 mph. These conditions will likely cause visibilities to drop below a quarter mile due to falling and blowing snow. Strong winds may also result in tree damage.

Timeline

The Winter Storm Warning is effective through 10:00 PM PST Wednesday. Snowfall rates are expected to increase by mid-day Tuesday and will continue through Wednesday morning.