Snow Could Impact Travel From Del Norte to Mendocino and from Eureka to Redding

Stock image by Eli Rohl 

The National Weather Service in Eureka has issued a Winter Storm Warning for large portions of Humboldt, Del Norte, and Trinity counties, forecasting heavy snowfall and dangerous travel conditions from late Sunday through Wednesday afternoon.

For interior Humboldt County and Del Norte County, including Berry Summit along Highway 299, Bald Hills Road, and the Highway 199 corridor near Collier Tunnel, the warning takes effect at 7 p.m. Monday and continues through 4 p.m. Wednesday for elevations above 2,000 feet. Forecasters say 6 to 20 inches of snow could accumulate, with the heaviest snowfall expected late Monday through Tuesday morning. Snow levels could drop to around 1,500 feet during the most intense periods of precipitation.

In Trinity County, the storm is expected to begin earlier. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 7 a.m. Sunday through 4 p.m. Wednesday. Snow is expected mainly above 5,000 feet through Monday, before snow levels fall to around 2,000 feet Monday night into Tuesday. The National Weather Service forecasts 6 to 10 inches of snow above 2,000 feet and 1 to 2.5 feet above 3,000 feet, along with winds gusting up to 35 mph in exposed areas. Mountain routes including Oregon Mountain, Buckhorn Summit, South Fork Mountain, Scott Mountain, and Hayfork Summit could see difficult or even impossible travel conditions.

A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect for the interior mountains of northern Mendocino County from Monday evening through Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Eureka. Forecasters say heavy snow is possible above about 2,500 feet. Both Rattlesnake Summit and Ridgewood Summit on Highway 101 are slightly below 2000 feet. The heaviest snowfall is expected early Tuesday morning, when snow levels could briefly drop to around 2,000 feet, potentially making travel difficult on mountain routes and during the Tuesday commute.

The storm system is expected to affect a broader portion of Northern California as well.  Siskiyou County, including communities such as Mount Shasta, Dunsmuir, McCloud, Etna, and Callahan, is forecast to receive heavy snowfall beginning Sunday, with additional accumulation through Wednesday and gusty winds in higher elevations. Snow levels in those areas are also expected to fall to around 2,000 feet Monday night into Tuesday.

Graphic from the NWS in Eureka

The National Weather Service warns that travel through mountain corridors could become very difficult or impossible, and motorists may be required to use tire chains when crossing higher elevations. Drivers are encouraged to check road conditions by calling 511 or visiting quickmap.dot.ca.gov before traveling.

Forecasters say conditions and snowfall totals may change as the storm approaches.