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From Mammoth to Tahoe: California braces for powerful blizzard
A significant storm is on the horizon for California, set to arrive on Thursday and potentially unleash a powerful blizzard across the Sierra Nevada region. The National Weather Service office in Reno is anticipating snowfall of 5 to 12 feet at elevations above 5,000 feet, making this storm one of the most impactful of the winter season. The sheer magnitude of this snowfall is expected to make it the largest storm of the season so far.
Areas along Highway 395 in Mono County, such as Mammoth Lakes and June Lakes, could see 1 to 3 feet of snow, with the Tahoe Basin potentially receiving up to 4 feet of snow along the Sierra crest. Popular spots like South Lake Tahoe, Incline Village, and Tahoe City are also forecasted to see over 3 feet of snow. In addition to heavy snowfall, winds on the ridges of the Sierra Nevada mountains could reach speeds exceeding 120 mph, creating blizzard conditions with near-zero visibility at times.
With the impending storm approaching, forecasters are urging residents to take advantage of the calm weather leading up to Thursday to prepare for the severe conditions ahead. Travel is expected to be extremely difficult from early Thursday morning through Sunday, with road closures and whiteout conditions likely. The National Weather Service office in Sacramento has advised travelers to pack extra food, water, and warm clothing in case of emergencies.
Yosemite Valley may experience snow showers on Saturday, with the potential for heavy snowfall at times. In Los Angeles County, the storm is anticipated to bring rain starting late Friday, with higher chances on Saturday and possibly lingering into Sunday. Rainfall amounts could range from 0.75 to 1.5 inches in coastal and valley areas, and 1 to 3 inches in the mountains. Alternatively, there is a chance of drier conditions with lower rainfall totals.
For L.A. County, the storm is expected to bring cold temperatures, possibly leading to snowfall in areas below 3,000 feet. The weather service office in Oxnard has cautioned about frost and freeze concerns in sheltered valleys on Sunday and Monday morning. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Bay Area may see rain returning late Thursday through Saturday, accompanied by cold temperatures, gusty winds, and moderate rainfall.
In the Sacramento Valley, strong winds gusting from 35 to 55 mph could pose a risk of power outages, particularly in areas northward from Marysville in Yuba County. Overall, this storm system is poised to bring significant impacts across California, with various regions bracing for challenging weather conditions.
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University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Protesters reach an agreement to dismantle encampment
Protesters at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have agreed to end their pro-Palestinian encampment following an agreement reached with the school, university officials announced on Sunday. The encampment, which had been in place for two weeks, will be dismantled by Tuesday, marking the end of what was believed to be the last standing encampment at a Wisconsin college.
University officials had allowed the encampment to remain on a patch of lawn between Mitchell Hall and a busy thoroughfare on the campus’s southern boundary, opting not to involve law enforcement. This approach differed from the response at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where police were called in to remove tents after negotiations fell through. Despite initial efforts to disband the encampment, Wisconsin-Madison eventually reached an agreement with protesters to voluntarily dismantle the camp prior to commencement ceremonies.
Chancellor Mark Mone of Wisconsin-Milwaukee stated last Wednesday that the university had exhibited “the widest possible amount of patience and restraint.” However, he also cautioned that patience was wearing thin and hinted at potential action by the school. Following discussions with the UWM Popular University for Palestine Coalition, the university agreed to advocate for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, condemn the destruction of schools and universities in Gaza by Israeli forces, and hold meetings with protest leaders regarding university investments.
Additionally, the university pledged to urge the Water Council, a Milwaukee organization of water technology companies, to sever connections with two Israeli government-owned entities, Mekorot and the Israel Innovation Authority. Chancellor Mone serves as the treasurer on the Water Council’s board of directors.
In return for these commitments, the protesters agreed to dismantle the encampment beginning on Sunday and completing the process by Tuesday. They also agreed not to disrupt the university’s commencement ceremonies scheduled for Sunday. In a statement, the protesters expressed their satisfaction with the agreement, stating, “After hard fought edits and careful consideration by the coalition, we determined we had obtained all possible benefits from the encampment.”
The resolution of the encampment at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee represents a successful outcome of negotiations between university officials and protesters. By reaching a compromise that addresses the concerns of both parties, a peaceful resolution has been achieved, allowing for the encampment to be taken down without incident.