A significant Pacific storm is barreling towards California with forecasters predicting it to be the strongest of the season. The storm is expected to bring blizzard conditions to the Sierra region, with up to 10 feet (3 meters) of snow anticipated in the mountains around Lake Tahoe by the weekend.

The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a blizzard warning for a 300-mile stretch of the Sierra, extending from north of Lake Tahoe to south of Yosemite National Park. The warning will be effective from early Thursday to 10 a.m. Sunday, with near-zero visibility expected due to widespread blowing snow and dangerous travel conditions on Friday into Saturday morning.

The weather service forecasts snow totals of between 2 and 4 feet in towns along Tahoe's shore, and 5 to 10 feet at the highest elevations, accompanied by winds gusting in excess of 100 mph over Sierra ridgetops. This may lead to road closures and power outages across the region.

The Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland, has warned of an "impressive winter storm" affecting the Cascades and the Sierra, with heavy snow and blizzard conditions anticipated. Additionally, heavy rain is expected for coastal areas between San Francisco and the Olympic Peninsula of Washington.

Residents and businesses in the affected areas are preparing for the storm, with some recalling the challenges faced during previous severe weather events. Ski resorts in the Tahoe area are looking forward to the heavy snowfall as the storm presents a promising outlook for the winter sports season.

The lead scientist at a Sierra snow lab mentioned the possibility of breaking their modern-day snowfall record from 1989. The scientist highlighted that the forecasted snow totals may be conservative, indicating that the storm could be even more severe than predicted.

Overall, the storm is expected to have significant impacts, with slick roads, reduced visibility, and mountain pass closures being likely outcomes. Despite the disruptions expected, many are bracing themselves for the powerful storm and its potential aftermath.