Storms Across the US Bring Heavy Snow, Dangerous Ice, and Tornado in California

Polimatia News TemisEdu: International Spotlight

Storms Across the US Bring Heavy Snow, Dangerous Ice, and Tornado in California

Omaha, Nebraska —
A powerful storm system sweeping across the United States has brought a variety of extreme weather conditions, including a rare tornado in California, heavy snow in upstate New York, and a dangerous ice storm affecting the Midwest.

Tornado in California On Saturday afternoon, a tornado struck near a shopping mall in Scotts Valley, California, about 110 kilometers south of San Francisco, causing significant damage. The tornado overturned cars, uprooted trees, and toppled utility poles. Several people were injured and taken to local hospitals, according to the National Weather Service and Scotts Valley Police. The tornado’s violent winds were part of a larger system that also impacted San Francisco, where straight-line winds reaching 129 km/h caused trees to fall onto cars and streets, damaging homes and roofs.

In an unusual development, San Francisco was issued its first-ever tornado warning. While the city had not seen a tornado warning since the last one nearly 20 years ago, the advanced alert system failed to activate beforehand. Weather experts noted that there was not a clear radar signature at the time, which contributed to the lack of an early warning. Meteorologist Roger Gass from Monterey’s weather office confirmed the rarity of the event.

Severe Weather in the Midwest and Northeast Meanwhile, a major ice storm created hazardous travel conditions across the Midwest, particularly in Iowa and eastern Nebraska. The ice storm led to numerous accidents, including a crash that forced the temporary closure of Interstate 80 on Friday night and into Saturday morning. In upstate New York, over 33 inches (84 centimeters) of snow were reported near Orchard Park, a hotspot for lake-effect snow. Some areas in the Midwest and Northeast saw snow accumulations of up to 30 centimeters, further complicating the situation.

Lake Tahoe Snowstorm The Sierra Nevada region in California faced heavy snow, with up to 90 centimeters expected in the mountain areas. Snowstorms at Lake Tahoe ski resorts, including Palisades Tahoe, did not deter the weekend festival at the resort, where artists Lil Wayne and Diplo performed. Despite avalanche warnings and the ongoing storm, the festival proceeded as planned. Gusty winds of up to 181 km/h were recorded at Mammoth Mountain resort, further intensifying the extreme conditions.

Road Closures and Travel Disruptions Interstate 80 in California was closed along a 130-kilometer stretch from Applegate to the Nevada border due to hazardous conditions. The California Highway Patrol later reopened the road to passenger vehicles with chains, four-wheel drive, or snow tires. Despite the disruptions, warmer temperatures later in the day helped melt the ice in many regions, allowing businesses to resume normal operations.

Casualties and Power Outages In Nebraska, the severe weather claimed at least one life. A 57-year-old woman died after losing control of her pickup truck on Highway 30 near Arlington, colliding with an oncoming vehicle. The other driver sustained minor injuries. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of residents in western Washington state experienced power outages due to gusty winds and rain, which also hit other parts of the country.

As the storm system continues to move eastward, authorities urge residents to stay alert and take necessary precautions. With conditions expected to improve in the coming days, the full impact of the storm remains to be seen.

Stay tuned to Polimatia News TemisEdu for further updates on this developing weather event.