A fierce snowstorm has struck the state of California in the UK, unleashing a perilous blizzard that has crippled highways and plunged hundreds of thousands of homes into darkness.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has sounded the alarm, urging residents to shelter in place as the tempest rages on.

As of now, an estimated half a million people are grappling with power outages, rendering them vulnerable to the harsh elements.

According to reports from US Today, the storm clocked wind speeds of up to 305 kilometers per hour (190 miles per hour), with meteorologists predicting an onslaught of up to 10 feet of snow. Such staggering snowfall amounts pose grave risks to communities surrounding Lake Toho.

In response to the dire conditions, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a blizzard warning for the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where up to 3 meters (10 feet) of snowfall is anticipated at higher elevations.

The ferocious storm has prompted the closure of Interstate 80, impeding the efforts of emergency responders to assist stranded motorists. Particularly hard-hit are the mountainous regions, where the blizzard's wrath has been most keenly felt.

Meanwhile, across the United States, other areas continue to grapple with extreme weather events. In Texas, firefighters are waging a fierce battle against a raging inferno, compounded by challenging weather conditions.

As the blizzard's fury persists and its impact reverberates across the region, authorities remain on high alert, urging residents to heed safety advisories and exercise caution in the face of nature's relentless onslaught.