A severe winter storm system struck Southern California during the first week of 2008.  It brought large amounts of rain accompanied by high winds to the area.  This produced flooding in some parts of the state and fear of mudslides in the areas recently devastated by wildfires.  Los Angeles International Airport was briefly closed.

In the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the storm produced heavy snows.  As much as 3 meters of new snow fell on some peaks.  Nearly all of the mountain passes were closed.  Even the pass along Route 80, which is normally kept open all winter, was closed after the region was blanketed with over one meter of snow.  Many motorists were stranded in emergency shelters as road crews fought to open this main highway pass.

East of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, some of the valleys in eastern California and Nevada also experienced local flooding. 

The storm swept inland and dropped large amounts of snow on the mountains in Colorado and Utah.  This heavy snowfall is proving to be a great benefit to the ski resorts in California, Utah and Corlorado.