Severe Weather Hits U.S. Weekend: Ice Storm, Tornadoes, and Heavy Snow Cause Widespread Damage

Inclement weather plagued multiple regions of the U.S. over the weekend, leading to dangerous conditions, including a major ice storm in the Midwest, heavy snow in upstate New York, tornado activity in Central California, and extreme weather warnings around Lake Tahoe.

The ice storm, which began Friday evening, caused treacherous driving conditions across Iowa and eastern Nebraska. The storm prompted temporary closures of Interstate 80 after several vehicles slid off the road. In upstate New York, more than 33 inches (84 centimeters) of snow was reported near Orchard Park, a known hotspot for lake-effect snow.

In California, an unusual tornado touched down near a shopping mall in Scotts Valley, about 70 miles south of San Francisco, on Saturday afternoon. The tornado overturned cars, toppled trees and utility poles, and left several people injured. Damage assessments are underway to determine if San Francisco was also hit by a tornado, marking the city’s first tornado since 2005.

Severe weather continued to affect the Lake Tahoe area, where more than a foot (30 centimeters) of snow fell at some ski resorts. Gusts of up to 112 mph (181 kph) were recorded at Mammoth Mountain, south of Yosemite National Park, with up to 3 feet (91 centimeters) of snow expected for Sierra Nevada mountaintops. Despite a winter storm warning, the Tahoe Live music festival proceeded as planned, with performances from Lil Wayne and Diplo.

The storm also resulted in a deadly crash in Nebraska, where a 57-year-old woman lost control of her vehicle on icy roads, causing a fatal collision. The Midwest storm had already caused significant disruptions, including power outages, and was expected to ease as warmer temperatures moved in.
Tens of thousands in western Washington State also lost power due to the weather system, which brought rain and gusty winds to the region. As the storm system continues to move eastward, authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and prepared for further disruptions.