Winter Storm Warning Issued As Up To 4 Feet Of Snow & 70 MPH Gusts Threaten Highways Across Multiple Western States

A late-season Sierra Nevada winter storm is taking aim at California today, Friday May 1, 2026, with the Weather Prediction Center flagging significant snow Sunday night through Tuesday as a Pacific low ejects onshore and drives moisture more than 90 percent above seasonal norms into the high country.

Peak Driving Danger Window

Sunday night through Tuesday morning across I-80, Highway 50, and Highway 395, when snow levels crash from 7,000 feet to as low as 4,500 feet and overnight ice forms on lower-elevation approaches.

What to Expect

• Snow totals: 1-2 feet above 6,000 feet, with up to 3-4 feet possible on the highest peaks
• Wind gusts: 50-70 MPH along the Sierra crest, locally to 80 MPH
• Snow level crash: Starts around 7,000 feet Sunday, drops to 4,500 feet by Tuesday morning
• Worst corridors: I-80 over Donner Pass (7,000 ft), Highway 50 over Echo Summit (7,382 ft), Highway 395 along the Eastern Sierra

Road Conditions

Caltrans will require chains on most vehicles above 5,000 feet, and AWD or 4WD with snow tires may still need them. I-80 and Highway 50 both face possible multi-hour closures Sunday night into Monday, and when both routes shut simultaneously there is no realistic alternative across the central Sierra.

Winter Driving Tips

California's Traction Law and chain controls apply through any active warning. Carry chains, a blanket, flashlight, portable charger, water, food, and a full tank of fuel before crossing any pass. Autoblog's best practices for driving in snow, ice, and rain covers the fundamentals, and our roundup of the best cars and SUVs for snow and winter driving is worth a look if your vehicle isn't set up for it. Check Caltrans QuickMap before you leave.

Timing

The system arrives Sunday evening, peaks Monday, and tapers Tuesday afternoon. We'll update this article as conditions evolve.

Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 4:49 PM.