Winter storm, winds could cause whiteout conditions on Interstate 5, power outages
A winter storm rolls over the North State this week, dumping more rain on Redding and more snow on the mountains and upper foothills in Shasta and Siskiyou counties.
That and gusty winds will likely close mountain roads and make driving conditions difficult across the North State according to the National Weather Service.
A “major winter storm” will drop as much as half an inch of rain on Redding and the surrounding foothills between Thursday night and Friday morning, according to the weather service’s Sacramento branch. That rain turns to snow for communities above 2,500 feet.
Daytime temperatures will stay in the 40s and low 50s around Redding through Sunday, then dip into the high 30s Sunday night.
More rain and snow will fall sporadically over the weekend, the weather service said.
On Saturday, gusty winds up to 45 mph will blow toward the north over Shasta and Siskiyou counties.
Those winds are strong enough to knock out power, the weather service said. It could also make driving difficult at low elevations from Redding to Cottonwood, and create "whiteout conditions" on mountain roads, including Interstate 5 in northern Shasta and Siskiyou counties, and on Highway 299 near the Shasta-Trinity County line.
Expect “near impossible mountain travel late Friday into Sunday,” the weather service said.
In Siskiyou County, the weather service’s Medford branch said it’s watching for more windy winter storms to roll in this weekend after it winter storm and wind advisory warning expire Thursday evening.
The Mt. Shasta Ski Park announced it expects to get 45 inches of snow between Thursday and Sunday, “which should make for some epic powder runs."
Through Sunday, daytime temperatures in the town of Mount Shasta will reach 34 to 36 degrees, and nighttime temperatures drop into the mid-20s to low 30s.
More:Mt. Shasta Ski Park, Mt. Ashland open season Saturday
In Yreka, temperatures will go into the high 30s and low 40s during the day, falling into the 30s on Friday night and mid to high 20s over the weekend.
Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and entertainment stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Winter storms, winds to cause whiteout road conditions on Interstate 5
