A strong and potentially historic Pacific storm is heading towards California, bringing with it powerful winds and heavy snowfall. Forecasters predict that this storm will be the strongest of the season, featuring blizzard conditions in the Sierra Nevada mountains and up to 10 feet (3 meters) of snow in the Lake Tahoe region by the weekend.

The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a blizzard warning for a 300-mile (482 km) stretch of the Sierra, from north of Lake Tahoe to south of Yosemite National Park, starting from early Thursday and lasting until Sunday morning. The storm will bring widespread blowing snow, leading to white-out conditions and near-zero visibility, making travel extremely dangerous. The heaviest snow is expected on Friday into Saturday morning.

The anticipated snowfall totals vary depending on different scenarios, but the Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland, is predicting that "March will be coming in like a lion for the West Coast states." The center stated that an "impressive winter storm will hammer the Cascades to the Sierra with blizzard conditions to end the week." Additionally, heavy snowfall is expected in the Rocky Mountains, while the coastal areas between San Francisco and the Olympic Peninsula of Washington can expect heavy rainfall.

In the Sierra Nevada mountains, the snowfall may even break the modern-day record of approximately 3.5 feet (1.1 meters) in a single day, set back in 1989. Andrew Schwartz, the lead scientist at the UC-Berkeley's Central Sierra Snow Lab, expressed his belief that the National Weather Service's snowfall predictions are conservative and that the actual snowfall may be on the higher side.

The impending storm has prompted locals to prepare. Kristi Anderson, a waitress at the Gateway Cafe in South Lake Tahoe, California, has already filled up her gas tank and stocked up on food and firewood. Anderson recalled the power outages during last year's storms, leading to difficulty in accessing food. She hopes people will avoid traveling to the area due to the treacherous road conditions.

Ski resorts in the Tahoe area, which had a slow start to the season, are now eagerly anticipating the heavy snowfall. Palisades Tahoe ski resort, where a skier tragically lost their life in an avalanche last month, expressed their enthusiasm for the prospect of abundant snowfall while simultaneously preparing for operational challenges. A spokesman for the resort stated that slick roads, reduced visibility, and closures on mountain passes are expected.

Road closures and power outages are likely as a result of this powerful storm. The National Weather Service in Reno is urging residents and travelers to take this storm seriously and stay prepared.