Weather

CA Storm Aftermath: Here's What 17 Feet Of Snow Looks Like

See photos of snowfall in California as locals bundle up to ring in the new year!

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Sean de Guzman, chief of snow surveys for the California Department of Water Resources, checks the depth of the snow pack during the first snow survey of the season at Phillips Station near Echo Summit, California.
Sean de Guzman, chief of snow surveys for the California Department of Water Resources, checks the depth of the snow pack during the first snow survey of the season at Phillips Station near Echo Summit, California. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)

ACROSS CALIFORNIA — From avalanches to record snowfall, a series of winter storms this week pummeled the Golden State with road closures, mudslides, and rapid water rescues. When the storm clouds clear, ski conditions will be epic, but, in the meantime, residents up and down the state are dealing with hazardous conditions.

A series of back-to-back storms dropped several feet of snow in the California mountains from Big Bear to Tahoe. Low snow levels forced authorities to close several highways from the I-80 in Placer County to the full closure of the Golden State (5) Freeway at the Grapevine Thursday afternoon, the California Highway Patrol said. The 5, is a major artery for travel between Los Angeles County and Northern California, and authorities did not have an immediate estimate for when it would reopen Thursday. Drivers were advised to avoid the area or expect significant delays.

The I-80 remained closed due to poor visibility and heavy snow from the Nevada state line to Placer County, California, According to the Associated Press.

Find out what's happening in Across Californiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Further south, at least 27 people were rescued from a campground in Malibu, where downpours triggered flooding and mudslides.

Here is how California is dealing with the snow:

Find out what's happening in Across Californiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Heavy snow along U.S. 50 caused eastbound traffic to back up for miles Tuesday in Pollock Pines, California. Some motorists were able to exit their cars occasionally to stretch their legs. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)
Jonas Pao, left, and Phela Durosinmi, of Palo Alto, California, had time to build a snowman on the highway median while traffic was at a standstill along eastbound US 50 in Pollock Pines, California, Tuesday. ( Randall Benton/AP)
Jasmine DeGuzman 12, left, and her sisters Rachael 12, and Camille 7 shiver in the snow as their father Raymond DeGuzman of Hayward, Calif. removes snow chains from his tires in Camino, California, Tuesday. The DeGuzmans turned back short of their destination as heavy snow caused eastbound traffic along US 50 to a crawl. (Randall Benton/AP)
Rob Hager, of Redwood City, Calif., removes tire chains from his car at a roadside gas station in Camino, California, Tuesday, December 28, 2021. Hager and his family spent over five hours in stopped traffic along US 50. They were headed east to Lake Tahoe for skiing, but gave up and returned home. (Randall Benton/AP)

Sean de Guzman, chief of snow surveys for the California Department of Water Resources, prepares to measure the depth of the snow pack during the first snow survey of the season at Phillips Station near Echo Summit, California, Thursday, December 30, 2021. The survey found the snowpack at 78.5 inches deep with a water content of 20 inches. Statewide, the snow holds 160% of the water it normally does this time of year. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)

Anthony Burdock, left, and Sean de Guzman check the depth of the snow pack. (AP Photo/Randall Benton)

An avalanche blocked a state route that connects Tahoe City to some ski resorts in Olympic Valley and authorities urged motorists to avoid nonessential travel, the AP reported.

According to an Associated Press report, officials with the University of California, Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Laboratory said recent snowfall eclipsed the snowiest December ever.

Weather observers say the previous record of 179 inches set in 1970 fell and is now 193.7 inches.
More snow is expected.

Further south, torrential rain caused roadway havoc and evacuations.

In Orange County, evacuations were mandatory for residents in the Silverado, Williams and Modjeska canyon areas in the Bond Fire burn areas faced mudslides amid torrential downpours.
Forecasters were also warning residents that travel in the Sierra Nevada might be difficult for the foreseeable future.

SEE ALSO: Authorities Rescue 27 People From Leo Carrillo Beach Amid Storm

More wet and cold weather was expected in Southland communities through Friday.

Northern areas will continue to see the heaviest rain, while lighter amounts are expected for deserts and southern areas. Image and caption via the National Weather Service.

Snow was expected to continue through Thursday evening.


The heaviest snowfall is expected in the San Gabriel Mountains above 5500 feet. Image and caption via the National Weather Service.

In the Bay Area, the storm appears to have done the bulk of its work, but now residents can expect to see some king tides in the days ahead.

The Associated Press contributed to this post.

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