A powerful, cold storm system with heavy snow and gusty winds sometimes brought dangerous driving with whiteout conditions. Snow amounts of 3 to 5 feet were reported in the mountains. Heavy snow fell down into the foothills impacting travel. Numerous schools were closed or had delays due to the snow. Gusty winds of 40-50 mph were recorded across the area, with gusts locally higher in the high elevations of the northern Sierra. The winds and low snow combined to cause dangerous travel conditions with an extended closure of Interstate 80.

Hail in GLENN, CALIFORNIA
From 06-MAR-23 16:17:00 to 06-MAR-23 16:22:00 (PST-8)
Location: ORBEND
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

There was 1 inch hail reported along Highway 45 just south of County Road 26, reported via Twitter.

Hail in GLENN, CALIFORNIA
From 06-MAR-23 16:30:00 to 06-MAR-23 16:36:00 (PST-8)
Location: ORBEND
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

There was 1-3 inches of hail accumulated over the roadway.

Hail in BUTTE, CALIFORNIA
From 06-MAR-23 18:20:00 to 06-MAR-23 18:26:00 (PST-8)
Location: CHICO
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

There was 0.75 inch hail reported in Chico, reported via Facebook.

Winter Storm in WEST SLOPE NORTHERN SIERRA NEVADA, CALIFORNIA
From 04-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 07-MAR-23 16:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Heavy snow fell over the northern Sierra. UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab reported 60.9 inches storm total snow. Caltrans reported storm total snow amounts of 40 inches at Castle Peak, but was unable to report measurements on the 6th due to road conditions. Ski resorts reported 44 inches at Kirkwood Mountain Resort, 32 inches at Sierra-at-Tahoe, 52 inches at Palisades Tahoe, and 73 inches at Sugar Bowl Resort. Caltrans reported the closure of mountain highways due to heavy snow and strong wind, including Interstate 80 and State Route 49 due to heavy blowing snow bringing very low visibility and causing multiple spinouts. Interstate 80 was closed from Colfax to the Nevada State Line at 1:15 pm on the 4th and remained closed for nearly 34 hours. Several ski resorts were closed due to heavy snow and whiteout conditions. Winds gusted to 40 to 60 mph. Local broadcast media reported the closure of numerous schools in the Sierra, with extensive power outages.

Winter Storm in MT SHASTA/WESTERN PLUMAS COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
From 04-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 07-MAR-23 16:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP Observer in Quincy, CA reported 15 inches of snow by the morning of the 5th. A trained spotter in Quincy reported 17 inches of snow by the morning of the 5th, with a storm total snow amount of 29 inches. Lower Lassen Peak weather station reported 19.7 inches of storm total snow. Shingletown CoCoRaHS reported 6.9 inches of storm total snow, and Chester CoCoRaHS reported 11 inches of snow. Gusty winds were observed with this storm, with 44 mph reported at Cashman RAWS, 40 mph reported at Colby Mountain RAWS, and 44 mph reported at Saddleback RAWS. Widespread power outages were reported.

Winter Weather in MOTHERLODE/CAMPTONVILLE TO GROVELAND, CALIFORNIA
From 04-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 07-MAR-23 16:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Accumulating snow fell into the Motherlode foothills. CoCoRaHS snowfall reports included 3.0 inches at Grass Valley 2.7 SW, and 2.5 inches at Sonora 3.4E, 3.5 inches at Volcano 3.2N and 5.8 inches of snow at Camino 1.2 N. Schools and businesses were reported closed. Numerous power outages were reported, including continued outages from previous storms. Several storage units collapsed in Grass Valley due to heavy snow load. No injuries reported.

Winter Weather in BURNEY BASIN/EASTERN SHASTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
From 04-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 06-MAR-23 10:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

The National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center estimated 4 to 6 inches of snow fell for a storm total in the Burney Basin.

Winter Storm in MOUNTAINS SOUTHWESTERN SHASTA COUNTY TO WESTERN COLUSA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
From 04-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 07-MAR-23 16:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center estimated 6 to 18 inches fell for storm total snow in the mountains of southwestern County and western Colusa County.

Winter Weather in NORTHEAST FOOTHILLS/SACRAMENTO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
From 04-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 07-MAR-23 16:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Low elevation snow fell into the northeast foothills, with 2 to 6 inches estimated by National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center.