"Sierra Nevada Blizzard Forces Evacuations and Power Outages"

A dangerous winter storm is impacting the Sierra Nevada mountains, with a blizzard warning in effect and the potential for up to 12 feet of snow. Nine states in the West have winter alerts due to heavy snow and gusty winds, with wind gusts reaching up to 167 mph. The storm has led to road closures, trapped vehicles, and ski resort closures. Heavy snow is expected to continue before tapering down on Sunday, with another round of snow forecasted for Monday. Additionally, a rare tornado hit Madera, California, causing damage but no injuries.