Much of California is preparing for a significant winter storm poised to bring a range of hazardous weather conditions, including treacherous thunderstorms, high winds, and substantial snowfall across mountainous regions. Winter storm warnings have been issued from southwest Oregon all the way to California's southern border, prompting officials to urge residents and travelers to take immediate precautions.

Forecasters from the National Weather Service, including meteorologist Jacob Spender in Sacramento, advised the public to assemble winter safety kits, particularly for those planning to travel. The storm is expected to deliver up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) of snow to the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, northern Shasta County – which encompasses sections of Interstate 5 – and parts of the state’s Coast Range before it fully departs late Wednesday. These severe conditions, coupled with low visibility, are anticipated to make travel extremely dangerous, if not impossible. Already, drivers navigating the Sierra Nevada are required to use chains on their vehicles to traverse the snowy roads, a clear indicator of the challenging conditions ahead. The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office echoed these warnings, noting in a social media post that despite recent "spring-like" weather, "winter is set to show it’s not quite done yet."

In anticipation of widespread impacts, utility companies and emergency services are mobilizing. Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) announced it is leveraging artificial intelligence and machine-learning enhanced weather models to strategically deploy crews and essential equipment, such as power poles and transformers, in advance of the storm. PG&E highlighted the unusual nature of this weather event, which is expected to unfold in "several phases" with multiple storm systems, likely intensifying the risks from wind, rain, and snow. Concurrently, California’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) is prepositioning fire and rescue personnel and resources in areas identified as having the highest risk for flooding, mudflows, and debris flows, especially in regions vulnerable to recent wildfires.

The storm's effects have already begun to manifest in various parts of the state. Rain started falling in the San Francisco Bay Area on Sunday, leading officials to issue warnings about potential flood risks. In coastal Santa Barbara County, a large eucalyptus tree fell across the 101 freeway, causing the closure of the southbound lanes. Further south, residents in some Los Angeles neighborhoods, still recovering from last year’s devastating wildfires, were placed under an evacuation warning through Tuesday due to the heightened potential for mud and debris flows. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass confirmed that emergency crews and city departments are on standby to address any arising issues. Local residents are also taking proactive measures; Kashawna McInerny, a realtor in Wrightwood, a mountain community northeast of Los Angeles, spent Monday trenching her yard to divert stormwater and installed barriers to protect her home from mud and debris, recalling significant damage from previous winter storms. Despite the arduous preparations and past experiences, McInerny expressed a sense of calm, stating, “We’re not panicking yet. At least I’m not.”

Beyond California, other Western states are also contending with hazardous weather. Parts of eastern Colorado received warnings for high fire danger on Monday due to a combination of unusually high temperatures, gusty winds, and dry conditions. These fire risks are projected to escalate, with gusts up to 60 mph (96 kph) expected on the Colorado eastern plains on Tuesday. Red flag warnings were also in effect for portions of Texas, New Mexico, and Kansas, indicating widespread dangerous weather patterns across the region.