California faced dramatically different weather threats Friday as the National Weather Service (NWS) issued severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings in the Central Valley while also warning of heavy mountain snow and dangerous travel conditions in the Sierra Nevada.
The overlapping warnings highlight a volatile spring forecast for California, with atmospheric conditions supporting severe thunderstorms, including tornado potential, in the Central Valley, while winter storm conditions develop simultaneously in the Sierra Nevada. Forecasters warned the same system is producing hail and dangerous storms at lower elevations while setting the stage for feet of snow, strong winds and potentially impossible travel in the mountains through the weekend.
California is among the states with the least tornadoes per year, averaging around eight twisters annually, The Weather Channel reported. Such a significant winter storm this deep into the state’s wet season is also a little unusual.
“We don’t normally get a system this powerful this late in the season,” NWS meteorologist Stephen McCoy told Newsweek, adding that “significant” snowfall could cause some roads to close.
Tornado Warning Hits California
At 2:42 p.m. local time, the NWS office in Sacramento issued a tornado warning for east-central San Joaquin and northern Stanislaus Counties. The warning was set to expire at 2:45 p.m.
“The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits,” an update from NWS Sacramento said. “Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. A brief weak tornado or funnel cloud is still possible with this storm.”
Severe thunderstorm warnings remain in effect, with NWS Sacramento issuing several such alerts. Radar indicated storms capable of producing quarter-size hail, which forecasters said could damage vehicles.
Heavy Snow Warning as 48 Inches Could Strike
A winter storm warning remains intact for West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada, along with Western Plumas and Lassen Park Counties, also issued by NWS Sacramento.
Up to 48 inches of snow is expected through late Sunday evening in the highest elevations, the warning said.
“Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact this evening’s commute and weekend mountain travel,” the warning said. “Heavy snowfall rates of 1-2 inch per hour, with the heaviest snowfall Saturday afternoon through Sunday.”
A winter storm warning was also issued farther south, by the NWS Hanford office, and the agency’s office in Los Angeles issued a winter weather advisory warning of up to 6 inches of wet snow.
“A couple of Pacific frontal systems will push across the West with widespread precipitation chances, including rain and mountain snow,” the NWS said in a Friday forecast. “Heavy mountain snow is expected in the Sierra Nevada through this weekend, especially late Saturday into Sunday as the second system moves onshore in California. Snow totals will likely reach 2-4 feet, which will create dangerous travel conditions.”
