National Weather Service Issues Winter Storm Warning for 96 Inches of Snow and 60 MPH Winds

Even as reports are surfacing of record high temperatures, some areas of America are still facing serious winter weather conditions. Thankfully, the National Weather Service is there to help anyone who might travel in those areas to prepare by informing them of the intense conditions that are expected.

Early this morning, one such winter storm warning was issued by the agency that teased the possibility of an incredible amount of snow accumulating. If that wasn't brutal enough, the same region is also set to face high-speed winds, with those two factors combining to create extremely dangerous travel conditions.

Northern California’s Sierra Nevada Area To Be Hit With Days of Heavy Snow and High-Speed Winds

On December 22, 2025 at 10:15 AM PST, the National Weather Service published a winter storm warning detailing some fearsome weather conditions that could be arriving. The warning is in effect for the Western Plumas County/Lassen Park-West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada area, including the cities of Quincy, Blue Canyon, and Chester.

According to the winter storm warning, parts of those regions that are 5500 feet above the mean sea level are facing snow accumulation of 4 to 8 feet, or 48 to 96 inches. That snow is set to build up between December 23, 2025, and December 26, 2025, according to the NWS warning. The warning predicts that there will be between one and two inches of snowfall per hour over that time period. If the snow buildup wasn't enough, that area will also have to cope with wind speeds of up to 60 miles per hour.

Fortunately, some parts of the Sierra Nevada area will get off easier, though those regions will still have to deal with some snowfall. According to the National Weather Service's winter storm warning, parts of the Sierra Nevada area that reach levels of between 4500 and 5500 feet will only see up to 12 inches of snow accumulate.

Due to the most serious conditions the Sierra Nevada area is facing, the National Weather Service warned of poor traveling conditions, power outages, and more. "Dangerous travel conditions with chain controls and road closures. Localized tree damage, power outages, and low visibility due to the combination of heavy wet snow and strong winds."

The winter storm warning ends with an advisory for people in the area to closely watch for weather updates either online or by calling a phone number designed for that. "RECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… Check the latest road conditions from Caltrans online at quickmap.dot.ca.gov or dial 5 1 1."