California Hit by Powerful Presidents Day Storm

High winds, heavy rain, and snow in mountain areas cause chaos across the state

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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California was pummeled by a powerful winter storm on Presidents Day, bringing treacherous thunderstorms, high winds, and heavy snow in mountain areas. Millions of Los Angeles County residents faced flash flood warnings, and emergency crews were on standby to respond to any issues. The storm wreaked havoc on roadways, with traffic halted on major highways due to spinouts and crashes. Forecasters warned of dangerous travel conditions due to the heavy snow, wind, and low visibility.

Why it matters

This powerful storm comes amid a snow drought across much of the American West, with snow cover and depth at the lowest levels in decades. The storm highlights the ongoing challenges California faces with extreme weather events, which are expected to become more frequent and severe due to climate change.

The details

The storm brought treacherous conditions, including thunderstorms, high winds, and heavy snow in mountain areas. In Los Angeles County, millions of residents faced flash flood warnings, and emergency crews were on standby. The storm caused major disruptions to transportation, with traffic halted on I-80 near the Nevada state line and a large tree toppling onto US-101 in Santa Barbara County. Forecasters warned that the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, northern Shasta County, and parts of the Coast Range could see up to 8 feet of snow before the storm moves through late Wednesday.

  • The storm hit California on Presidents Day, Monday, February 16, 2026.
  • The storm is expected to continue through late Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Karen Bass

The mayor of Los Angeles, who ordered emergency crews and city departments to be ready to respond to any problems caused by the storm.

Kashawna McInerny

A Realtor in the mountain community of Wrightwood, about 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles, who was still dealing with debris from previous storms and taking precautions against the latest one.

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What they’re saying

“It has seemed 'springlike' for a large part of 2026, but winter is set to show it's not quite done yet.”

— Shasta County Sheriff's Office (Social media post)

“We're not panicking yet. At least I'm not.”

— Kashawna McInerny, Realtor

What’s next

The storm is expected to continue through late Wednesday, February 18, 2026, with the potential for more disruptions to transportation and infrastructure.

The takeaway

This powerful storm highlights the ongoing challenges California faces with extreme weather events, which are expected to become more frequent and severe due to climate change. The state's efforts to prepare for and respond to these events will be crucial in the years to come.