California battles fifth day of snowstorms and 190mph winds as life-threatening blizzard knocks power out for 23,000 residents and freeways shut down - with MORE winter weather on its way

Snow storms are set to continue battering northern California for a fifth day - while hurricane-force winds are blowing the blizzard into neighboring states. 

Meteorologists have recorded gusts of up to 190mph striking the Sunshine State over the weekend, while the snow has closed off a 100-mile stretch of the Interstate 80 from the Nevada border to Colfax, CA. 

More than 6.5 million people are covered by winter weather alerts across the California Central Range, Shastas, and Sierra Nevada. Meanwhile, blizzard warnings cover the Sierra Nevada and the east of Nevada state. 

The storm moved over California on Thursday, and it shows little sign of letting up over the coming days with an additional two feet of snow on the way. Some 23,000 people remain without power. 

Snow storms are set to continue battering northern California for a fifth day - while hurricane-force winds are blowing the blizzard into neighboring states. (Pictured: Snow piles up in front of a church during a storm, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Truckee, CA) 

Meteorologists have recorded gusts of up to 190mph striking the Sunshine State over the weekend, while the snow has closed off a 100-mile stretch of the Interstate 80 from the Nevada border to Colfax, CA. (Pictured: Truckee, CA, on Sunday) 

An 'additional 1-2 feet of snowfall' is expected in parts of Nevada and California through Monday morning

'Extremely heavy snowfall rates of 2-6 inches an hour combined with very strong winds exceeding 100 mph at times will maintain impossible travel conditions in the Sierra Nevada,' the Weather Prediction Center said Sunday. 

The center warned of 'substantial disruptions to daily life and travel' in the Sierra Nevada region due to 'dangerous blizzard conditions'. 

An 'additional 1-2 feet of snowfall' is also expected in parts of Nevada and California through Monday morning. 

'Avalanches are increasingly likely in the Sierra Nevadas as additional snowfall piles up,' meteorologists at the center said. 

Gusts across California hit 200mph over the weekend - which is well over the 157mph threshold for a category 5 hurricane. 

The California Highway Patrol warned that there was 'no estimated time of reopening the freeway' after it was closed due to heavy snow. 

Hundreds of travelers were trapped in their vehicles for several hours, and 8,000 homes in California were without power as of Sunday morning.  

'We suggest you stay home, stay warm and don't put yourself and your family in a dangerous situation,' the California Highway Patrol in Truckee said on social media. 

The storm moved in over California on Thursday, and it shows little sign of letting up over the coming days

TikTokers near Lake Tahoe documented the apocalyptic weather conditions 

A motorist checks on a truck that rolled over as high winds hit US Route 395 near Big Pine, Californa, on March 3, 2024

Snow covers street signs at an intersection during a storm, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Truckee

A man uses a snow blower as snow piles up during a storm, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Truckee

Snow is cleared from a sidewalk during a storm, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Truckee

A snow blower is prepared to clear snow during a storm, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Truckee

Birds gather on a mound of snow during a storm, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Truckee

A man uses a snow blower as snow piles up during a storm, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Truckee

The snowstorm caused so much disruption that several ski resorts were forced to close.

Palisades Tahoe, the largest resort on the north end of Lake Tahoe and site of the 1960 Winter Olympics, closed all chairlifts Saturday because of snow, wind and low visibility. 

It planned to reopen late Sunday morning after getting an estimated 5 feet  of snow on the upper mountain as of Saturday night.

'We will be digging out for the foreseeable future,' officials said on the resort's blog.

Meteorologists said some ski areas reported getting nearly 7 feet of snow. 

More than 10 feet of snow was expected at higher elevations, National Weather Service meteorologist William Churchill said Saturday.

The storm began barreling into the region Thursday. A blizzard warning through Sunday morning covered a 300-mile stretch of the mountains. 

A second, weaker storm was forecast to bring an additional 1 to 2 feet of snow in the region between Monday and Wednesday next week, according to the National Weather Service office in Sacramento.

Near Lake Tahoe, the Alibi Ale Works brewpub and restaurant was one of the few businesses open on Saturday. 

Snow is clear from the entrance to a business during a storm, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Truckee

A person shovels snow as high gusts of wind blow snow around during a blizzard in Mammoth Lakes, California, on Saturday 

A section of the Sierra Nevada mountain range covered with snow in Mammoth Lakes, California, on Saturday 

A dangerous winter storm has arrived in California and will unload feet of snow, powerful winds and rare blizzard conditions in the mountains through the weekend and early next week

A vehicle is covered in snow during a storm, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Truckee, California

Vehicles are covered in snow during a storm, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Truckee

The National Weather Service has warned people in the affected regions not to travel because conditions are still 'extremely dangerous'

Bartender Thomas Petkanas said about 3 feet of snow had fallen by midday, and patrons were shaking off snow as they arrived.

'It´s snowing pretty hard out there, really windy, and power is out to about half the town,' Petkanas said by telephone.

California authorities on Friday shut down 100 miles of I-80, the main route between Reno and Sacramento, because of 'spin outs, high winds, and low visibility.' 

There was no estimate when the freeway would reopen from the California-Nevada border west of Reno to near Emigrant Gap, California.

Rudy Islas spent about 40 minutes shoveling his car out before heading to work at a coffee shop in Truckee, California, on Sunday morning. Neither he nor his customers were fazed by the snow, he said.

'To be honest, if you´re a local, it´s not a big deal,' he said. 'I think a lot of people are used to the snow and they prepare for it.'

The National Weather Service has warned people in the affected regions not to travel because conditions are still 'extremely dangerous'.  

'If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay in your vehicle,' the service said.