Snow storm packing up to 10 feet; blizzard warnings issued in California

The most powerful Pacific storm of the season began to approach the Sierra Nevada on Thursday, bringing multiple feet of snow and severe gusts that forecasts say would create blizzard conditions. (Image credit: AP)

With the biggest effects of the snow storm expected Friday afternoon, Sierra Nevada was under a blizzard warning stretching through Sunday. (Image credit: AP)

The National Weather Service has predicted up to 10 feet (3 meters) of snow in the mountains surrounding Lake Tahoe by the weekend, 3 to 6 feet (0.9 to 1.8 meters) in the lake's shore communities, and more than a foot (30 centimeters) in the valleys on the Sierra's eastern front, including Reno. Wind speed is likely to exceed 115 mph (185 kph) over Sierra ridgetops and 70 mph (113 kph) at lower elevations. (Image credit: AFP)

Informing that it has seen no new scenarios that suggest a weakening of the storm, the Reno weather service said in its latest forecast on Thursday, “Snow amounts have increased, if that is even possible.” (Image credit: AP)

Backcountry avalanche warnings were issued throughout Lake Tahoe, as well as in areas surrounding Yosemite National Park that extended down to Mammoth Lakes. “Very dangerous avalanche conditions are expected from Friday afternoon through Sunday,” the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center in Mammoth Lakes said. (Image credit: AP)

The California Highway Patrol restricted movement on a long stretch of Interstate 80 between Reno and Sacramento, requiring cars to use chains on their tires. At lunchtime Thursday, a stretch of roadway was stopped for several hours while crews cleaned the debris of a semi-trailer vehicle that toppled in Truckee, California. (Image credit: AP)