Northern California is no stranger to wild winter weather, but the storms that barreled through the region between February 16 and 18, 2026, have left even the most seasoned residents shaking their heads. Over just two days, feet of snow blanketed the Sierra Nevada—including lower elevations that rarely see such accumulation—while soaking rain drenched the Valley and foothills, causing widespread disruptions, power outages, and dangerous travel conditions.
According to KCRA 3, the storms dumped several feet of snow in the Sierra and lower foothills, with ski resorts like Heavenly Mountain reporting four feet of fresh powder and Sierra-at-Tahoe tallying more than five feet, forcing a closure on February 18 to manage the overwhelming accumulation. "We’re delaying our opening to clear excess snow," Heavenly Mountain announced, while Sierra-at-Tahoe said, "Three feet have fallen in the last 24 hours alone." Bear Valley Mountain Resort also measured 23 inches in a single day, expecting even more as the storm continued.
But the snow wasn’t the only concern. 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. These strong winds toppled trees—including one that crushed a Calaveras County Sheriff’s patrol car as deputies assisted stranded motorists. Miraculously, no one was injured. Power lines didn’t fare as well; Pacific Gas & Electric reported that by Tuesday night, over 38,700 customers were without electricity across counties including Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Stanislaus, Solano, and Sierra.
Travelers hoping to cross the mountains were met with a maze of closures and restrictions. As reported by FOX40.com and Caltrans, as of February 17, multiple major highways were closed: SR-4 (Ebbetts Pass), SR-88 from Silver Lake to Picketts Junction, SR-89 (Monitor Pass and Emerald Bay), and I-80 eastbound at Applegate for tractor-semitrailer combinations. I-80 at Folfax was also closed due to multiple spinouts, and all mountain passes had chain controls in place.
Caltrans made it clear: "Travel in the Sierra is not recommended today, but if you must travel please be prepared and carry chains." When chain controls are in effect, all vehicles except those with four-wheel drive and snow tires must install chains, and speed limits are reduced to 30 mph on I-80 and 25 mph on Highway 50. Even Interstate 5 north of Redding in Shasta County saw chain checks on February 17, with vehicles without chains barred from continuing north until conditions improved by early afternoon.
As of the morning of February 18, there was some relief: Caltrans announced Highway 50 was open in both directions and westbound I-80 was open to vehicles (though still closed to trucks), with eastbound I-80 estimated to reopen in about four hours. However, chain controls and closures persisted across the region, and Caltrans continued to urge extreme caution.
The impact wasn’t limited to motorists. School districts across the Sierra announced closures, including Camino Union, El Dorado Union High School, 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 of Amador County Unified. El Dorado County also shuttered all administrative buildings in South Lake Tahoe, citing whiteout conditions.
Outdoor enthusiasts faced hazards of their own. On February 17, a group of 16 backcountry skiers—four guides and twelve clients—were caught in an avalanche near Castle Peak, northeast of Lake Tahoe. According to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, six skiers were rescued (two hospitalized), while ten remained missing as of that evening. Captain Russell Green of the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office told KCRA 3, "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." The search effort was described as an "all-hands" operation, with Blackbird Mountain Guides, the company leading the tour, stating, "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."
Avalanche warnings were in effect for areas including Truckee, Lake Tahoe, and the regions south of the lake through 4 a.m. Wednesday, February 18. The Sierra Avalanche Center urged caution as heavy, wet snow and wind created unstable conditions on steep terrain. KCRA 3’s Brian Hickey, an experienced backcountry skier, noted, "There is steep terrain in the area that is prone to avalanches."
Elsewhere, the storms’ effects were felt in dramatic fashion. In Sacramento County, emergency crews rescued a man after he drove into a flooded roadway on Kiefer Boulevard, south of Grant Line Road—a road that had been closed for over a day. The vehicle became submerged in five feet of water, and the driver was nearly swept downstream before being pulled to safety.
Despite the deluge, rivers and creeks were not expected to flood, but minor flooding was possible on saturated roads. The combination of snow, rain, and wind made travel treacherous and prompted officials to repeatedly urge residents and visitors to avoid unnecessary journeys. As FOX40 Chief Meteorologist Adam Epstein warned, a Winter Storm Warning would remain in effect until 10 p.m. Thursday, February 19.
Even as the weather began to ease on Wednesday, the aftermath was still being felt. Crews worked around the clock to clear highways and restore power. Ski resorts scrambled to manage the bounty of new snow, balancing safety with the excitement of fresh powder. Families in communities like Pollock Pines found ways to enjoy the winter wonderland, while others sheltered at Red Cross centers set up in places like the Jackson Civic Center, especially as power outages and road closures lingered.
For those with a sense of adventure, the storms were a reminder of both the beauty and the danger that winter can bring to Northern California. For everyone else, the message from Caltrans and emergency officials was clear: stay safe, stay prepared, and when in doubt, stay home. The mountains will still be there when the roads are clear.