(CNN) -- More than 10 feet of snow could fall on California mountains by Sunday and winds could reach the strength of an extremely strong hurricane as powerful winter storms move through the state.

"Travel is not advised in the mountain areas this weekend. It could be a life-threatening situation for you," CNN meteorologist Jacqui Jeras said Friday.

"The combination of heavy snow and powerful winds will likely cause frequent whiteout conditions at the highest elevations," National Weather Service forecasters said. "Travel in the Sierra will put your life at risk. Extremely high snowfall rates will make it impossible for road crews and emergency personnel to keep roads passable and to assist stranded vehicles."

Winds in the mountains could gust to 145 mph, forecasters said, the strength of a Category 4 hurricane. A Category 4 can inflict extreme damage.

UPDATE: Good lord:

AN EXTREMELY POWERFUL PACIFIC STORM IS JUST ON THE DOORSTEP AT THIS TIME. SEE ALL THE SUPPLEMENTAL STATEMENTS...WATCHES...AND WARNINGS THAT ARE OUT. ALSO SEE THE LINKS FROM THE TOP OF OUR HOMEPAGE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...WINTER SAFETY TIPS...AND LATEST STORM REPORTS.

SATELLITE IMAGERY SHOWS AN IMPRESSIVE LOW PRESSURE AREA NEARING 130W RIDING A STRONG JET STREAM. SATELLITE DERIVED JET LEVEL WINDS ARE AS HIGH AS 235 KTS!!!! WV/IR SAT IMAGERY SHOWS AN IMPRESSIVE BAROCLINIC LEAF NOW INSIDE 130W AT AROUND 35N. THIS FEATURE IS POINTED DIRECTLY AT THE SIERRA AND WESTERN NEVADA WITH CURRENT RAINFALL RATES ESTIMATED CLOSE TO 1 INCH PER HOUR.

...

EXTREMELY HEAVY SNOWFALL WITH WIND GUSTS UP TO 60 MPH OR MORE WILL MAKE ANY TRAVEL NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE AND LIFE THREATENING. IN ADDITION...RIDGE GUSTS OF UP TO 200 MPH WILL OCCUR.

Excellent reasons not to be in Truckee right about now.