The glaciers in California's Sierra Nevada, some of which have existed since the last Ice Age over 11,000 years ago, are rapidly retreating and are projected to disappear entirely within this century due to rising global temperatures, with significant impacts on local ecosystems and water resources.
Multiple wildfires ignited by lightning strikes in California's Sierra Nevada foothills have burned over 9,000 acres, destroyed buildings in the historic Gold Rush town of Chinese Camp, and prompted evacuation orders, with the largest fire, 6-5, affecting Chinese Camp and surrounding areas.
A mother and her nine-year-old son were rescued in California's Sierra Nevada after being lost for over 24 hours, leaving handwritten notes for rescuers, and were found safe after a search involving ground and air units.
June Lake, known as the 'Little Switzerland of California,' is a picturesque town nestled under the Sierra Nevada mountains, offering land for sale under $300,000. Once a retreat for 1920s Hollywood stars, the town is renowned for its alpine scenery, outdoor activities like hiking and skiing, and tranquil atmosphere. Despite its small size, June Lake provides a charming escape with its lakes, trails, and the June Mountain Ski Area, making it a desirable location for both tourists and potential homeowners.
A woman found dead in Downieville, California, last year was the victim of the state's first documented fatal black bear attack on a human. Authorities discovered Patrice Miller's remains after reports of a bear repeatedly returning to her home. DNA tests confirmed the bear responsible, which was later euthanized. This incident highlights increasing bear encounters in California.
California's above-average snowpack in the Sierra Nevada, while initially seeming like a positive sign, is overshadowed by the grim future of the state's mountain snowpack due to climate change. Rising temperatures will lead to a decrease in snowfall and faster snowmelt, posing risks of flooding and water scarcity. Efforts to address these challenges, such as increasing reservoir capacity, face bureaucratic and financial obstacles. The relationship between snowfall and climate change is complex, with various factors influencing snowfall patterns in different regions.
Climate change-driven shifts in the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains are expected to lead to earlier snowmelt streams, causing shifts in the timings of animals emerging and potentially leaving predators without food. Researchers found that these changes could lead to mismatches in food webs, impacting species ranging from birds and bats to lizards. However, some species may thrive in these conditions, as demonstrated by the increased numbers of Brewer's blackbirds due to a more abundant food source. The study highlights the potential impacts of climate change on ecosystems and the importance of understanding the timing of key life events in maintaining ecological balance.
A powerful winter storm in California's Sierra Nevada mountains brought up to 10 feet of snow and wind gusts of almost 200 mph, causing power outages, closing highways, and burying ski resorts. Yosemite National Park and a 50-mile stretch of Interstate 80 were shut down, with schools canceled and warnings of "life-threatening concern" for residents near Lake Tahoe. The storm left hundreds stranded in their cars and brought extreme blizzard conditions, with photos showing the impact of the blizzard in Northern California and Nevada.
A monster blizzard hit California's Sierra Nevada, dumping several feet of snow and causing incredible scenes of towns buried in snow, with drifts reaching rooftops and cars buried under three feet of snow. The blizzard brought ferocious winds, with peak gusts reaching up to 190 mph, and ski resorts receiving over 10 feet of snow. The storm caused travel disruptions and logistical challenges, but it also helped replenish California's snowpack to average conditions after a below-average start to 2024.
A winter storm blankets the Sierra Nevada with snow, causing chaos for residents and businesses, while a massive wildfire rages in the Texas Panhandle. In legal news, Jack Teixeira pleads guilty to leaking classified military documents, and the State Department urges Americans to leave Haiti as heavily armed gangs attack the main international airport. In international news, hard-liners maintain control of Iran's Parliament, and in business, the European Union fines Apple nearly $2 billion for antitrust violations, while JetBlue and Spirit Airlines cancel a planned merger.
The biggest snowstorm of the season hit California's Sierra Nevada mountains, with some areas receiving over 10 feet of snow, and more snow is expected for the Northwest. Ski areas near Lake Tahoe saw over 100 inches of snow in the last four days, and a new storm is forecasted to bring heavy mountain snow to Northern California, Oregon, and Washington. The southern portions of the Cascade Mountains could see 1 to 2 feet of snow through Thursday, while areas around Donner Summit may receive another 6 inches.
A massive blizzard has buried California's Sierra Nevada under 6 to 11 feet of snow, closing roads and ski resorts with white-out conditions and hurricane-force winds. More snow is expected through Tuesday, with winter storm warnings in effect. The storm has brought seasonal snow totals from below normal to above normal, and water levels in the state's snowpack have risen just above normal. Travel remains hazardous, with additional snowfall and moderate mountain travel impacts expected through Tuesday night, but drier and warmer conditions are forecasted for the latter part of the week.
A powerful blizzard in California's Sierra Nevada mountains dropped over 7ft of snow, closing highways and ski resorts amid dangerous whiteout conditions, with more snow and 100mph winds expected. Communities are digging out from snowdrifts, with power outages affecting thousands of homes. The Palisades Tahoe ski resort plans to reopen, but several others closed due to excessive snow, wind, and low visibility. Interstate-80 remains closed with no estimated reopening, and transport crews are struggling to clear roads due to extreme snow piles.
A massive blizzard in the mountains of California brought over 10 feet of snow, with wind gusts reaching 190 mph and leaving behind power outages, snarled roads, and stranded individuals. Ski resorts reported snow totals in the 100- to 120-inch range, pushing Sierra snowfall above average for the water year. The intense storm also caused significant wind damage, with neighborhoods experiencing power outages for several days.
A powerful blizzard has moved out of Northern California, but more snow is expected for the Sierra Nevada mountains. Highways and ski resorts were closed due to the blizzard, with over 7 feet of snow falling in some areas and fierce winds lashing the region. A new, less powerful system is forecasted to bring moderate mountain snow, causing traffic backups and closures. Some ski resorts remained closed due to snow, wind, and low visibility, with thousands of homes and businesses experiencing power outages. Residents and tourists are advised to stay home due to unsafe road conditions.