First Big Winter Storm Hits Western States Two Weeks Before Winter's Official Arrival

A Winter storm coming down from the upper reaches of Canada has brought freezing temperatures, snow and freezing rain to the Western United States. The storm has dumped as much as four feet of snow in some areas.

School closures and non-essential government agencies in Reno close on Monday due to the storm

All schools in the Reno area were closed and all government agencies besides public safety officials were told to stay home. Reno was suffering through blizzard like conditions and received up to two feet of snow in some areas from the storm. Several flights out of the Reno-Tahoe International were canceled. The temperature in Reno is expected to be below zero degrees. The storm is expected to stay through tomorrow in Reno.

Residents that suffered through fire earlier in the year now must worry about mudslides.

Down in Southern California there wasn't much snow as of yet but some areas could expect as much as four inches of rain from the storm. Not good news for those in areas that suffered through the wildfires earlier this year. It is always a yearly double sucker punch to those in areas affected by wildfires. First they have to survive the wildfires. Then they have to survive the inevitable mudslides in the winter produced by winter storms. Usually Southern California gets heavy dose of rain in February.

San Diego was also bracing for high winds and the ensuing winds. In San Diego they are expecting rain all week from the storm. The city that sees 330 days of sunshine a year, will be darkened by the storm this week.
Also there are areas that were ravaged by fire that could face mudslides produced by this storm.

Northern California experiences snow just above San Francisco and possibly near Fresno to the south

San Francisco was bracing for rain from the storm, while outlying areas above San Francisco were already getting a dusting of snow. A frost warning has been issued from Napa to Fresno. Possibly putting some wineries in jeopardy due to the cold storm conditions. Not only wineries but other crops may be in jeopardy due to the frost produced by the storm.

In good news, the ski resorts are getting off to their best start of a ski season in years maybe even decades. Most resorts are reporting full pack snow and excellent conditions. To see live pictures of Heavenly Valley Lake Tahoe click here. To see live pictures of Breckenridge Ski Resort click here.

Northern Arizona, Southern Utah and Colorado face up to four feet of snow from the storm

Flagstaff, Arizona should see up to three feet of snow and hazardous conditions from the storm as well as the mountains of Southern Utah which are expecting four feet of snow. Colorado was facing the brunt of the storm throughout the Rocky Mountains. Most areas throughout the Rockies were digging out of four feet of snow.

The first winter storm of the year isn't quite through yet as most forecasts show it should be around through the end of the week. So bundle up, grab your shovel and your windshield ice scraper and be prepared for the bitter first storm of the season.

Sources:

National Weather Service
Heavenly Valley.com
Breckenridgeskiresort.com