This is a developing situation and information may change. We’ll update this article as more information becomes available. The most recent information will be updated at the top of the article, with the earlier reports below.
2/28/24 2:12 p.m. — The National Weather Service Eureka (NWS Eureka) is forecasting this afternoon that the following mountain passes in Mendocino County can expect the following inches of snow Friday night into Sunday morning:
- State Route 1, 4 miles west of Leggett: between 5 and 8 inches
- U.S. 101 at Rattlesnake Summit in Laytonville: between 9 and 13 inches
- State Route 20, 5 miles west of Willits: between 2 and 3 inches
- U.S. 101 at Ridgewood Summit/Willits Grade: 5 to 8 inches
- State Route 20 at the Mendocino/Lake County border: 3 to 5 inches
- State Route 253, 10 miles west of Ukiah: 4 to 7 inches
Travel is not recommended Friday and Saturday if possible along these roads. If you must travel, mountain pass forecasts are available here. You can find resources on staying safe while traveling during winter weather here.
MENDOCINO Co., 2/27/24 – March is coming in like a lion as a winter storm is anticipated to bring snow, rain, wind and possibly hail to Mendocino County starting Thursday, Feb. 29. The most impactful weather is expected Friday, Mar. 1 and Saturday, Mar. 2 before transitioning into light showers followed by partly sunny conditions on Sunday, Mar. 3.
Most of inland Mendocino County is under either a National Weather Service winter weather watch or a winter storm warning due to expected dangerous weather conditions. Areas above 1,000 feet in elevation could see between two and seven inches of snow, with mountain passes seeing up to 20 inches and wind gusts of up to 40 mph, creating dangerous driving conditions.
Other parts will see heavy rain, a mix of rain and snowfall, gusty winds and the possibility of hail — so batten down the hatches.
We’ve put together an overview of what’s still to come, and included some additional resources at the end of the article. We also have a winter weather info guide we recommend you bookmark, and information about FEMA assistance, CalFresh replacements, and other storm aid on our website.
A winter storm warning, followed by a winter weather watch, in place for Covelo, Round Valley
Covelo and Round Valley can expect heavy snow Friday through early Sunday, resulting in National Weather Service Eureka (NWS Eureka) issuing three different weather alerts for the area. The storm will start out with rain and high winds on Thursday, Feb. 29, resulting in a wind advisory in place from 4 a.m. until 4 p.m. Southwest winds between 25 and 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph at high elevations can be expected.
A winter storm warning has been issued for northeastern Mendocino County interior areas, including Round Valley, and northern Lake County, starting Friday, Mar. 1 at 4 p.m. through Saturday, Mar. 2 at 10 a.m. NWS Eureka forecasts that elevations above 2,500 feet will experience heavy snow between four and seven inches with wind gusts up to 45 mph.
After the winter storm warning expires at 10 a.m. on Saturday, a winter storm watch will go into effect until 4 a.m. on Sunday, Mar. 3. NWS Eureka forecasts elevations above 1,000 feet will at times experience heavy snow. Higher elevations could see between eight and 16 additional inches of snow and wind gusts up to 45 mph.
With these alerts come travel impact concerns from NWS Eureka: “Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Tire chains may be necessary if traveling through mountain passes. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. Visibility may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow.” NWS Eureka advises that all travel be delayed if possible.
Winter storm watch in effect for Willits, Laytonville, Leggett, Potter Valley and Highway 101
Parts of northwestern and central inland areas of the county are under a wind advisory and winter storm watch. The wind advisory is in place on Thursday, Feb. 29 from 4 a.m. until 4 p.m. Southwest winds between 25 and 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph at high elevations can be expected.
Northwestern and central inland areas of Mendocino County, including Willits, Laytonville, Leggett and Potter Valley are under a winter storm watch from 10 a.m. Saturday, Mar. 2 until 4 a.m. Sunday, Mar. 3. This also includes two high elevation summits on U.S. Route 101: Ridgewood Summit (a.k.a. Willits Grade) and Rattlesnake Summit near Laytonville.
NWS Eureka anticipates that “Heavy snow is possible for elevations above 1,000 feet. Total snow accumulations between six and 12 inches possible at highway pass level. Up to 20 inches at higher elevations. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.”
Travel along U.S. Route 101 is expected to be impacted, and NWS Eureka advises all travel should be delayed. Visibility could drop as low as 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow.
Ukiah, Hopland and Redwood Valley also under a winter storm watch
Rainy conditions start on Thursday, however, river flooding is not expected for the Russian River near Hopland.
Wintry weather will also impact the southeastern Mendocino County inland region resulting in Ukiah, Hopland and Redwood Valley being under a winter storm watch from Friday, Mar. 1 at 10:00 p.m. through 4:00 a.m. Sunday, Mar. 3.
According to NWS Eureka, “Heavy snow is possible for elevations above 1000 feet. Total snow accumulations between two and six inches possible, more at high elevations” from Friday evening through late Saturday night. The weather service warns that “Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Travel could be very difficult.”
The coast and Anderson Valley will be rainy
The entire Mendocino Coast can expect rainy conditions starting Thursday. Windy conditions are also likely on Thursday, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chances of showers will continue through Sunday morning before turning mostly cloudy.
Anderson Valley will see showers on Thursday and Friday. Saturday could see a mix of rain and snow showers before 7 a.m. Showers will continue until partly cloudy conditions prevail on Sunday. The Navarro River is not expected to reach flood stage.
Travel conditions will be dangerous
As mentioned above, road conditions will be treacherous along many roads. Conditions will decline rapidly on Friday along U.S. 101 at the Willits Grade (Ridgewood Summit) and northwards through Laytonville (Rattlesnake Summit), where snow is forecast starting in the evening and into Saturday night. In addition to northern U.S. 101, the following State Routes are likely to experience delays or closures due to snow, downed trees and power lines and traffic collisions:
- State Route 1 west of Leggett
- State Route 20 west of Willits
- State Route 175 east of Hopland
- State Route 162 south of Covelo
- State Route 253 west of Ukiah
Travel is not recommended Friday and Saturday if possible along these roads. If you must travel, mountain pass forecasts are available here. You can find resources on staying safe while traveling during winter weather here.
Conditions may vary widely across North Coast microclimates and on your travel routes, so we’ve included a list of useful resources below to keep you updated. You can check for the specific forecast for your neighborhood and on current road conditions as they develop.
Information is changing rapidly, and we’ll keep you updated on current conditions throughout the next several days. Although local agencies are preparing for the storm, emergency resources are likely to be stretched thin — if you can avoid travel, please stay off the roads for everyone’s safety.
Finally, be sure to bookmark our winter weather information guide. There are additional resources included at the bottom of the article so you can check the exact conditions in your area. Stay safe out there!
Sandbags stations:
Please note: this will change and depend on each specific weather event
- Hopland Band of Pomo Indians located at the corner of Hwy 101 and Hwy 175
- Friedman’s Home Improvement in Ukiah
- Redwood Valley Fire Station
- The Willits Justice Center located at 125 E Commercial Street in Willits
- Laytonville Fire Station
Mendocino Voice Winter weather resources:
- Our guide for winter weather emergency and preparedness info — we recommend you bookmark this
- Check your specific forecast at this link along with the National Weather Service advisories and warnings, as well as their Facebook page and their Twitter page
- Check the CalTrans QuickMap for current road closures or call 1-800-GAS-ROAD
- Check for current accidents at the CHP traffic update page
- Caltrans traffic cameras can be seen here, and here are the PG&E cameras
- You can also check out the Weather Underground to look for weather stations in your area
- Check the PG&E current outage map to find or report power outages
- NWS has flood stage predictions here; and you can find USGS current streamflow information here
- NWS is seeking snowfall reports, and you can submit them to this website.
- We recommend meteorologist Daniel Swain’s Weather West Blog as a good place to find more in-depth current weather analysis
