OMAHA, Neb. — Severe weather impacted multiple regions across the United States this weekend, bringing heavy snowfall to upstate New York, a significant ice storm in the Midwest, severe weather alerts around Lake Tahoe, and unusual tornado activity in Central California.
The ice storm that began on Friday evening resulted in dangerous driving conditions throughout Iowa and eastern Nebraska, leading to temporary closures of Interstate 80 as numerous vehicles slid off the road. Reports indicated over 33 inches (84 centimeters) of snow in areas near Orchard Park, New York, known for its lake-effect snow.
In a remarkable weather event on Saturday, a tornado touched down near a shopping mall in Scotts Valley, California, approximately 70 miles (110 kilometers) south of San Francisco, at around 1:40 p.m. The tornado overturned vehicles and uprooted trees and utility poles, causing injuries that required hospitalization, according to local authorities.
Damage from the tornado extended to San Francisco, where trees fell onto cars and streets, damaging roofs. Officials are currently assessing the extent of the damage to confirm whether the city experienced an actual tornado, as there have been no recorded tornadoes there since 2005.
Meteorologists from the National Weather Service indicated that the warning for a potential tornado in San Francisco marked a historic first for the city, with no advanced alerts issued before the last tornado incident nearly two decades ago.
Amid the chaos of the storm, families were advised to seek shelter, yet many local homes lack basements. Meteorologist Dalton Behringer emphasized the importance of finding interior spaces for safety.
In the Sierra Nevada mountain range, ski resorts around Lake Tahoe recorded over one foot (30 centimeters) of snow, with gusts reaching 112 mph (181 kph) at Mammoth Mountain. Forecasts predicted snowfall up to 3 feet (91 centimeters) in some mountain areas.
Despite a winter storm warning, the Tahoe Live music festival at the Palisades Tahoe ski resort proceeded as scheduled over the weekend, featuring performances from notable artists.
An avalanche warning remains in effect for elevations above 8,000 feet (approximately 2,400 meters) around Tahoe, lingering into the following night, while a winter storm warning was set to expire on Saturday evening.
Interstate 80 faced closures along an 80-mile (130-kilometer) stretch from Applegate, California, to the Nevada border, although it reopened in the afternoon for vehicles equipped with chains and snow tires.
The Midwest storms also tragically resulted in a fatality; a 57-year-old woman died in Nebraska after her pickup truck lost control on Highway 30 and collided with another vehicle. The other driver sustained minor injuries.
As temperatures began to rise on Saturday afternoon, businesses announced delayed openings, allowing warmer air to melt the icy conditions in many areas.
In western Washington state, tens of thousands faced power outages as heavy rains and gusty winds swept through the region.
