With winds topping 60 mph, the light and fluffy snow was whipping into massive drifts.
"During the periods of heavier snowfall, snowfall rates could still exceed 2-3"/hr for a time during these more intense accumulation periods," the weather service said."The colder nature of this storm will bring a lighter/fluffier variety of snow consistent with 15:1 snow ratios." After years of drought, the Sierra has had an overabundance of snow this year. Many areas at the higher elevations have already gotten more than 34 feet of snowfall since the beginning of winter.
At the UC Sierra Snow Lab near Donner Summit, researchers have recorded more than 36.9 feet of snow and are within striking distance of the 48 feet accumulated in the epic snow year of 2017. The cold air mass stalled over the mountain range will also result in sub-zero wind chills across the Sierra through Wednesday. "The quiet pattern won't last long as another system will be knocking on the door," forecasters said. This next wave could move through the region as early as midday Saturday." Thanks for reading CBS NEWS.Please enter valid email address to continue