Severe weather affected various parts of the U.S. over the weekend, causing dangerous conditions such as heavy snow in upstate New York, a significant ice storm in Midwest states, severe weather warnings near Lake Tahoe, and unusual tornado activity in Central California. The ice storm that started on Friday evening led to hazardous driving conditions in Iowa and eastern Nebraska, resulting in temporary closures of Interstate 80 due to cars and trucks sliding off the road. Upstate New York reported over 33 inches of snow near Orchard Park, a common area for lake-effect snow.
On Saturday, a tornado struck near a shopping mall in Scotts Valley, California, causing damage to cars, trees, and utility poles. Several people were injured and taken to hospitals. San Francisco also experienced tree damage, prompting an assessment to determine if a tornado hit the city, which had not occurred since 2005.
The storm brought more than a foot of snow to Lake Tahoe ski resorts, with strong winds recorded at Mammoth Mountain resort. Despite the winter storm warning, the Tahoe Live music festival at Palisades Tahoe ski resort proceeded as planned, featuring performances by Lil Wayne and Diplo. Interstate 80 was closed for a stretch, but was reopened to vehicles with appropriate chains or tires.
In the Midwest, the severe weather led to at least one fatality in Nebraska. As temperatures began to rise, businesses announced plans to open later in the day. Warmer air moving in was expected to melt the ice, offering temporary relief from the extreme conditions.
A meteorologist named Usins from the National Weather Service’s office in Davenport, Iowa, was mentioned in the news. It was reported that tens of thousands of individuals in western Washington state experienced power outages on Saturday due to a weather system that brought heavy rain and strong winds. Various local news outlets shared this information. Additionally, reporters from the Associated Press, including Olga R. Rodriguez in San Francisco, Julie Walker in New York, Becky Bohrer in Juneau, Alaska, and Scott Sonner in Reno, Nevada, made contributions to the coverage of the event.
