The Sierra Nevada region of California has been hit by the most powerful blizzard of the season, bringing with it extreme weather conditions and heavy snowfall. With gusts reaching up to 190 mph, this blizzard has led to the closure of major roads, affecting Lake Tahoe and Mammoth Mountain.

Highway 395, the main road leading to the Mammoth Mountain ski resort, was shut down in both directions due to numerous spinouts, collisions, and whiteout conditions. Stretching for 75 miles from Bishop in Inyo County to Bridgeport in Mono County, it became impassable for several hours, prompting the California Department of Transportation to issue the closure.

At Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, nearly two feet of snow fell in some areas by 6 a.m. on Saturday. However, the resort had to close for the day due to extremely strong winds and blizzard conditions just two hours later. Similarly, a 76-mile stretch of Interstate 80 was closed between Colfax and the Nevada state line.

The blizzard caused chaos on the highways, making it difficult for emergency vehicles and tow trucks to reach stranded motorists. Multiple vehicles spun out and a big rig jackknifed, highlighting the dangerous conditions. The California Highway Patrol advised people to stay home and avoid putting themselves and their families in danger.

The National Weather Service reported a gust of 190 mph at Palisades Tahoe, while peak winds of 114 mph were recorded near Mammoth Mountain. Avalanche warnings were issued for the greater Tahoe region and the Sierra backcountry. The fastest recorded wind gust in California stands at 199 mph, observed at Ward Mountain in 2017.

Forecasters warned residents to stay where they are unless there's an emergency, as it could take time for plows to clear the snow and restore normalcy. With predictions of up to 12 feet of snowfall in the highest elevations of the Sierra Nevada by Sunday, this storm could rank among the top 10 snowiest days in the central Sierra since 1970.

Various areas are expected to receive significant snowfall, with the Sierra crest estimated to accumulate 6 to 10 feet of snow, Mammoth Lakes predicted to receive 2 to 4 feet, and the Tahoe Basin expecting 3 to 6 feet. Snowfall rates could reach 1 to 6 inches per hour.

The UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab reported 3 feet of snow by Saturday morning, with more expected before Monday. Mammoth's ski resort encountered freezing temperatures and thundersnow, accompanied by lightning within the snowstorm, intensifying the already challenging conditions.

Ski resorts in the Sierra had to partially close sections or suspend operations entirely due to the severe blizzard. Clearing chair lifts and reopening slopes will require considerable effort. Local businesses experienced mixed impacts, with shops catering to tourists seeing increased activity, while residents opted to stay home to avoid the dangerous conditions.

Authorities are urging people to stay off the roads during this life-threatening blizzard, which is expected to persist until Sunday morning. A rare blizzard warning has been issued, extending from Lassen Volcanic National Park to Kings Canyon National Park. Snow showers are forecasted to continue through Sunday and Monday, with more chances of snowfall later in the week.

As Mother Nature blankets the Sierra Nevada in snow, safety remains paramount, and residents are encouraged to stay informed and prepared for potential emergencies.