images, the west getting the first powerful punch from this massive storm, as much as five feet of snow in the mountains of northern california. the images are extraordinary tonight, as they now dig out, and now the threat of what s coming next. abc s mola lenghi from california tonight. reporter: it br reporter: it brought feet of snow to the west, and now that massive powerful winter storm system is making a run across the country. blizzard warnings posted for the northern plains. the national weather service warning travel may become impossible due to the heavy snow and strong winds. on i-84 in utah, a charter bus traveling from boise to salt lake city overturning on slick roads before dawn. more than 20 people hurt. the storm blasting the sierra nevada mountains with snowfall rates over four inches an hour, and hurricane force wind gusts over the weekend. the storm dumped a few feet of snow on the lake tahoe area, burying homes, knocking out power lines, canceling schools.
surge of wind, snow, and freezing temperatures the winter storm system could bring two to three feet of snow to the cascades and dump six inches in portland oregon governor kate brown declaring a state of emergency all the way through early january. a storm sparking concern for a dangerous holiday weekend on the road with a little joy sprinkled in stay home and enjoy the holiday. reporter: steve patterson, nbc news, los angeles. well, all that rain and snow is putting a dent in california s historic drought. it is a welcome relief for farmers. but is it all enough to save california s hard-hit wine industry guad venegas reports from napa valley reporter: this is america s premier wine-growing region. famous for its beautiful hillside vineyards and some of the most expensive farmland in the country. but like the rest of california this past
i checked my phone and i looked on my phone and it just said flight canceled. reporter: the rapid spread of the omicron variant debilitating airlines and airports. how long should folks expect these cancellations? i don t think there is any reason to think that these cancellations are going to stop before the holiday travel period ends. reporter: the number of tsa agents out tripled in the last week. now more than 1,700 off the job with covid. and the faa today in a statement saying traffic volume at some facilities could be reduced, noting an increase in the number of its employees testing positive all this as a massive winter storm system sweeps across the country. snow and sleet making its way to the midwest overnight, expected to barrel down on key airport hubs from denver to dallas and chicago. look, expect the worst but hope for the best you will likely find delays you will likely have your flight canceled. reporter: a rocky start to the new year