High Sierra Sees Wind Gusts Just Under 200 MPH
ALPINE MEADOWS (CBS13) - It was a seriously windy night across the region, especially in the high Sierra.
The National Weather Service reports a few Sierra peaks saw wind gusts just under 200 miles per hour overnight into Tuesday.
Powerful winds for Sierra crest! Preliminary Mesowest data-gusts 199mph Ward Mt. (SUMAM 8643 ft), 193mph Sierra Crest(SIBSV 8700 ft). #CAwx pic.twitter.com/j6GYrgeYo0
— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) February 21, 2017
Ward Mountain gusts topped out at 199 mph, while the Sierra Crest of Alpine Meadows had peak gusts of 193 mph.
California Highway Patrol reports near whiteout conditions at Donner Summit Tuesday morning.
Sierra-at-Tahoe resort has closed for the day due to the intense wind.
Sierra is closed today, Feb. 21, due to extreme winds. We plan to reopen tmrw, Feb. 22. Safety is #1, thanks in advance for your patience. pic.twitter.com/PPYcWDIfDn
— Sierra-at-Tahoe (@Sierra_at_Tahoe) February 21, 2017
Heavy snow showers are expected to continue in the mountains through Tuesday.
Periods of moderate to heavy snow continue across the northern Sierra Nevada into this evening. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/udcux5V7E7
— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) February 21, 2017
Rains are tapering off for the rest of Northern California, but NWS forecasters say there are still chances of rain showers and thunderstorms for the valley, delta and foothills.