(Twin Bridges, CA) — The window for Sierra travel is closed as a major snowstorm begins to hammer much of eastern California. The California Highway Patrol says snow and high winds are creating whiteout conditions that make it too dangerous to drive over the mountain passes.

The CHP says, if anyone must drive on I-50 or I-80, they should pack food, water, warm clothes and a blanket in case they get stranded. A blizzard warning is in place for the Sierra Nevada and nearby foothills at two-thousand-feet and above until ten o’clock Sunday morning.

Five to 12 feet of snow is expected to fall above the five-thousand-foot elevation line.