Power Outage in Mammoth Lakes, CA

The public located at the Mammoth Mountain Ski base reported a major power outage across the region.

Widespread wind gusts between 63 and 82 mph were noted near highway 395. However, the Bridgeport RAWS measured a wind gust to 91 mph. Numerous trees (up to 18 in diameter) were downed near Mono City, with some broken windows and roof damage noted as well. According to the Mammoth Times, power lines were downed which caused widespread power outages north of Mammoth for at least a day.

Widespread gusts between 70 and 91 mph were reported on the 18th, mainly south of Bridgeport. Some higher gusts include: 91 mph 4NNW Lee Vining (gap wind), 86 mph at the Mammoth-Yosemite airport, and 70 mph at the Walker RAWS. High winds caused a downed power pole which closed highway 395 in Walker while a tractor trailer truck was blown into a ditch near the intersection of highways 395 and 167.

Snowfall totals reached a widespread 5 to 8 feet for the high Sierra, with almost 10 feet for the Mammoth ski area. For elevations below 7500 feet, 1 to 2 feet was reported with some rain at times below 7000 feet. Heavy snow caused the closure of highway 395 on the 19th. As far as winds, widespread wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph were widespread on the 19th, with winds up to 64 mph at the Walker RAWS. For the higher elevations, a 164 mph gust was noted at the Mammoth ski area chair 1. Strong winds caused some downed trees and power lines in Mammoth Lakes.

Very heavy, wet snow was followed by heavy rain and snow as snow levels rose to around 9500 feet late in the evening of October 13. The heavy, wet snow knocked down some power lines and tree branches in the Mammoth Lakes area. Snowfall totals before the switch to rain are as follows: 23 inches at the Mammoth Ski Area, 15 inches at the Leavitt Lake SNOTEL, and 12 inches at the Mammoth Lakes CO-OP.

A quick-moving Pacific storm and associated cold front brought high winds to the US Highway 395 corridor in Mono County on the morning of the 25th. Strong gusts caused a 100-mile segment of U.S. Highway 395 to close to high profile for a few hours on the 25th. Numerous power outages also occurred.

A cold system dropping south from the Gulf of Alaska pushed a powerful cold front through the region with strong winds followed by heavy snow for the Sierra and northeast California.

A powerful storm slammed into the region on the 27th and 28th bringing damaging winds to the Lake Tahoe area along with substantial rain and snow to northeast California.

A powerful winter storm moved through the northern and central Sierra Nevada and western Nevada.

One day after a powerful snowstorm deposited up to 4 feet of snowfall in the central Sierra Nevada an avalanche occurred at Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort.

A powerful winter storm brought heavy snowfall to the eastern Sierra and western Nevada.

A powerful snowstorm moved through the Sierra Nevada and western Nevada on the 23rd and 24th. Up to 3 feet of snow fell in the Sierra with up to a foot in portions of western Nevada. Strong winds also accompanied the cold front.

A powerful winter storm brought 2 to 3 feet of snow to the Sierra Nevada, and strong winds to the Sierra and western Nevada.

A powerful winter storm moved through the Sierra Nevada and western Nevada from January 4th through the 6th. Up to 10 feet of snow fell in the higher elevations of the Sierra with 1 to 2 feet in western Nevada.

A powerful winter storm brought strong winds and over three feet of snow to the eastern Sierra Nevada and Carson Range. Strong winds also occurred in western Nevada.

A powerful winter storm brought over 3 feet of snow to the higher elevations of the eastern Sierra Nevada over a four-day period.

A powerful winter storm moved through the northern Sierra and western Nevada the last week of December. Ahead of the system strong winds caused widespread damage across the region on the 26th. Then as the storm moved through on the 27th up to 2 feet of snow fell in the Sierra.

A powerful winter storm deposited up to 5 feet of snow in the higher elevations of the central Sierra Nevada. Heavy rainfall was reported in western Nevada.Storm total snowfall amounts:Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort (9000 ft.) 60 inchesJune Mountain Ski Area 33 inchesMammoth Lakes 20 inches

A powerful winter storm dumped up to 3 feet of snow in the higher elevations of the central Sierra Nevada.Storm total snowfall amounts:June Mountain Ski Area 34 inchesMammoth Mountain Ski Resort (9000 ft.) 28 inchesMammoth Lakes 24 inchesCrowley Lake 12 inches

The second major snowstorm in as many weeks hit the eastern Sierra and western Nevada from January 7th to the 11th. This was the most impressive series of snowstorms since January, 1916 (when four snowstorms moved through the region). Up to five feet of snow was reported at ski resorts in the Sierra and Carson ranges. Up to two feet of snow fell in the valleys of western Nevada. Water equivalents were high with up to five inches reported with the snow in the higher elevations of the Sierra. Dozens of flights were delayed or canceled at the Reno/Tahoe International Airport, many during the height of the snowstorm on the 8th. Three major routes across the Sierra crest were closed from the evening of the 7th into the 8th. Interstate 80 over Donner Summit was closed for 13 hours beginning the evening of the 7th. U.S. Highway 50 across Echo Summit, and Highway 88 over Carson Pass, both remained closed on the 8th. U.S. Highway 395 between Reno and Carson City was also closed for 24 hours. Roofs and carports collapsed due to the weight of the heavy, wet snow from this and the previous storm. Up to 2,000 customers were without power in northwest Nevada on the 8th.Storm total snowfall amounts:1 WNW Mammoth Lakes 77 inches10 WNW Bridgeport 50 inchesBridgeport 30 inchesMammoth Mountain(8900 ft.) 30 inchesMammoth Lakes (8200 ft.) 27 inches

One of the most powerful snowstorms to hit the region in 15 years continued to affect the northern and central Sierra Nevada and northwestern Nevada into the new year. As the snowfall tapered off on January 3rd heavy snow continued across Mono County, California. Up to two feet of snow fell in the higher elevations of the central Sierra. Communities throughout the region continued to dig out from the historic snowstorm which started nearly a week earlier in late-December.Snowfall storm total amounts:June Lake 12 inches1 WNW Mammoth Lakes 6 inches

One of the most powerful snowstorms to hit the region in 15 years pounded the northern and central Sierra Nevada and northwestern Nevada from December 29th through New Year's Eve. Almost 10 feet of snow fell in the higher elevations of the Sierra by the 31st, with up to 2 feet of snow in the valleys of western Nevada, and up to 5 feet of snow in the foothills of the Sierra and Carson Ranges.Interstate 80 across Donner Summit, and U.S. Highway 50 across Echo Summit, were closed intermittently on Dec. 30th. According to newspaper accounts, operations at the Reno/Tahoe International Airport were suspended late on the 30th to allow for the sanding and deicing of the main runway. According to an airport spokesperson, this was only the second time in 40 years that the airport had been shut down. A total of 25 flights were canceled on the 30th and 31st as a result of the heavy snowfall.In Nevada, the cities of Reno and Sparks, and Washoe County, issued states of emergency on the 30th. This was to allow for the plowing of major streets, and to assist in the use of emergency vehicles. According to a newspaper account, Nevada's governor sent all non-essential government employees home by noon on the 31st.Structural damage was experienced as the heavy snowfall caused many carports to collapse, often damaging the automobiles beneath them. Insurance officials reported that claims were already being made for roof damage. However, more claims would undoubtedly be made after the snowfall had a chance to melt and revealed additional damage. Electrical power was lost by up to 25,000 customers in western Nevada and the Lake Tahoe area, according to a spokesperson from the Sierra Pacific Power Company.Snowfall storm total amounts through December 31, 2005:1 WNW Mammoth Lakes 36 inchesCrowley Lake 24 inches10 N Bridgeport (7200 ft.) 21 inches

From the evening of October 19th through the morning of the 20th a powerful early-season snowstorm deposited up to 3 feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada. In the valleys of northeast California and western Nevada 1 to 2 inches of rainfall was reported at many locations.Storm total snowfall amounts:Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort 28-36 inchesMammoth Lakes Ranger Station 18 inches

A powerful winter storm moved through northeast California and northwest Nevada on the 25th and 26th. Ahead of the cold front on the 25th, heavy rain fell in the valleys east of the Sierra Nevada. Reno set a daily precipitation record for February 25th when 1.12 inches of rain was reported at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Up to two inches of rain fell in northeast California (a trained spotter at Portola reported 2.03 inches of rain as a result of the storm). Over 3 feet of snow was reported in the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada.Storm total snowfall reports:Crowley Lake 12 inchesLee Vining 14 inchesMammoth Lakes 28 inchesDevil's Gate Summit 30 inchesJune Lake 30 inchesMammoth Mountain 50 inches

A strong cold front moving through northern California on December 14 brought near-record nigh winds to northeast California and western Nevada. Wind gusts reports in the 60-80 mph range were common throughout the day across the entire region, with a few gusts near 100 mph. Remote wind sensors along the Sierra Crest measured wind gusts in excess of 130 mph. Strongest winds occurred just before the cold front moved into the area at about 5:30 p.m. Literally hundreds of trees and thousands of tree limbs were blown down across the region. In addition, there was widespread damage to roofs, fences, commercial billboards and signs, and power lines. Numerous power outages occurred, some lasting for several days after the event in rural areas. Across much of western Nevada, blowing dust and debris created near zero visibilities at times, resulting in temporary closures of highways in Mineral, Lyon, Pershing and Churchill counties. A few relatively minor traffic accidents resulted from the low visibilities. From these, a few minor injuries were reported but fortunately no serious injuries or deaths were reported. The regional electric utility lost 140 power poles and 18 transmission line due to the strong winds, with damages and repair costs estimated at over $3M. Total regional wind damage costs were estimated at nearly $10M.

Spotter report in coleville of winds sustatined at 55 mph with gusts to 70 mph causing power outages and blowing dust. Several outbuildings, power lines and small trees were blown down in Bridgeport Valley. Crowley Lake Store reported sustained winds of 70 mph causing fences to be blown down and considerable roof damage. California Highway Patrol reported high winds to be a major factor in a rollover accident north of Bridgeport on Highway 182. The driver sustained minor injuries and approximately 15 out of 30 head of cattle were killed, the truck was a total loss.