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Winter Storm — West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada, California
October 21, 2012 · NOAA Storm Events record
Event narrative (NOAA)
Criteria is lower for the first storm of the season. Snow began at approximately midnight (PST) and increased to over 4 inches of snow by 5am (PST) at levels above 5000 ft. Snow levels had dropped to approximately 4000 ft in local areas. Snowfall ended by early morning on October 23rd. Highest snow amounts at highest elevations were measured approximately 2-3 ft. Blue Canyon (5280 ft) received 17, Boreal Ski Resort received 24-28, Kingvale (6200 ft) received approximately 27 total, and Sugar Bowl Ski Resort received 21-28 ft. Winds were 20-30 mph sustained with peak gusts over 50 mph at high elevation mountain passes. One fatality occurred: A 14-year old boy froze to death due to winter storm exposure after getting lost during a hunting trip. The body was found approximately 3 miles west o
Other notable winter storm events in California
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database. Deaths and injuries are those NOAA classifies as direct. Damage is the reporting office's estimate at the time and is not inflation-adjusted. This is a catalogue record, not a forecast.