As winter storms pummeled Northern California this week, the region’s high country was brought to a near standstill by snow, wind, and a tragic avalanche that claimed the lives of eight skiers. The relentless weather, which began on February 16, 2026, dumped several feet of snow across the Sierra Nevada and foothill communities, leading to widespread road closures, power outages, and emergency rescues.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Caltrans, by February 17, major arteries like Interstate 80 and Highway 50 were either fully closed or severely restricted. I-80 eastbound was shut down from Colfax to the Nevada state line, while westbound lanes, after being closed for much of Tuesday, reopened to regular vehicles around 8 a.m. Wednesday—but not to tractor-trailers, which remained barred due to traction concerns. Chain controls were in effect from near Gold Run to the Nevada border, with all vehicles except four-wheel-drives with snow tires required to install chains. On Highway 50, the closure stretched from Pointview Drive in Placerville to Meyers, but was lifted a little before 8 a.m. Wednesday. Chain controls persisted on that route as well, with speed limits reduced to 25 mph, echoing the 30 mph restriction on I-80.
Caltrans emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, "Travel in the Sierra is not recommended today, but if you must travel please be prepared and carry chains." Whiteout conditions battered the mountain passes, causing multiple vehicle spinouts and crashes. The closures were not limited to the highest elevations—lower foothill communities also saw rare accumulations, while steady rain soaked the valleys and lower slopes. The National Weather Service issued a Wind Advisory from 10 a.m. Monday through 10 p.m. Wednesday, warning of gusts up to 45 mph and the potential for downed trees and power lines.
By Wednesday morning, the aftermath of these storms was still being felt. More than 74,000 customers across California were without power, according to a state dashboard cited by KCRA 3. Hard-hit counties included Calaveras (10,100 customers), Tuolumne (8,540), El Dorado (7,860), Amador (4,890), Nevada (4,380), and Placer (1,280). Even Los Angeles County, far to the south, reported nearly 14,000 outages. The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office reported a narrow escape for deputies when a tree fell and totaled a patrol vehicle—they were unharmed, but the incident underscored the hazards facing first responders.
In the mountains, ski resorts were forced to close or delay openings as they struggled to manage the sheer volume of snow. Sierra-at-Tahoe Ski Resort reported more than five feet of accumulation and shuttered operations on Wednesday, while Heavenly Mountain ski resort received about four feet and announced a delayed opening. Palisades Tahoe and Bear Valley Mountain Resort also reported significant new snow, with Palisades anticipating up to 50 additional inches by week’s end.
But the most devastating event of the week unfolded near Lake Tahoe, where an avalanche swept through the Castle Peak area on February 17. According to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, a group of 15 backcountry skiers—four guides and 11 clients—was caught in the slide. Eight of the skiers perished, one remained missing as of Wednesday, and six others were rescued. Two of those rescued were hospitalized. The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued a warning for the area, which includes Truckee and Lake Tahoe, through early Wednesday morning, highlighting the perilous conditions.
Blackbird Mountain Guides, whose group was affected, said in a statement, "The leadership team at Blackbird Mountain Guides is working in full coordination with the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office and Nevada County Search and Rescue to support the ongoing rescue operation. Blackbird Mountain Guides is in direct contact with the emergency contacts of the affected clients and guides and is providing them with regular updates as verified information becomes available."
Captain Russell Green of the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office described the rescue effort: "People go out and use the backcountry at all times. We advise against it honestly, but I wouldn’t say that it’s uncommon, not that it was a wise choice." He noted that those awaiting rescue made a makeshift shelter with a tarp while teams worked to reach them.
Elsewhere, the storms led to a cascade of disruptions. School districts across the Sierra foothills and mountain towns announced closures for Wednesday, including Camino Union Elementary, El Dorado Union High, Gold Oak Union, Pollock Pines Elementary, Silver Fork Elementary, Pioneer Union, Mokelumne Hill Elementary, Pacific Crest Academy, Tahoe Truckee Unified, West Point Elementary, and most Amador County Unified schools. The Red Cross established an overnight shelter at the Jackson Civic Center for those displaced by power outages or flooding.
Emergency services were stretched thin. In Sacramento County, crews rescued a man who had driven into a flooded roadway south of Grant Line Road, despite the area being closed for more than a day. He was nearly swept downstream before being pulled to safety. CHP and Caltrans continually updated the public on closures and chain requirements, urging motorists to check road conditions before traveling and to expect significant delays.
On Interstate 5 north of Redding, in Shasta County, Caltrans began screening all vehicles for chains early Tuesday, only lifting the requirement at Fawndale by 1:45 p.m. Vehicles without chains were not permitted to continue north during the screening period, highlighting how the storm’s impact reached beyond the Sierra proper into other key transportation corridors.
Throughout the ordeal, meteorologists cautioned that the wet weather would persist into Wednesday, with additional snow—albeit lighter—expected at higher elevations and even some lower areas. Valley regions could see another quarter to half inch of rain, with further wind gusts threatening to bring down more trees and power lines. Thankfully, rivers and creeks were not expected to flood, but minor urban flooding remained a concern due to saturated ground and clogged drains.
Despite the travel chaos and tragic loss of life, some found ways to make the best of the situation. Families in Pollock Pines were seen enjoying the snow, and even a high school soccer game went ahead in Tuolumne, despite the wintry conditions. Yet for many, the focus remained on safety, recovery, and the hope that the worst of the storm had passed.
As the region begins to dig out, clear roads, and restore power, the events of this week serve as a stark reminder of both the beauty and the danger that California’s winter storms can bring.