173 mph wind whips Squaw Valley peak

High winds whipped the Sierra on Sunday as an atmospheric river bringing rain and snow moved through Northern California.

The most impressive gusts blew at 173 mph on a Squaw Valley summit and 175 mph atop a peak in Alpine Meadows.

These bursts were far stronger than the 110 mph winds that were forecast to be the record-breakers for the day.

Snow piles continue to grow in Mammoth Lakes, California, January 9, 2017 as a series of strong storms moves through the western US state. Snow piles continue to grow in Mammoth Lakes, California, January 9, 2017 as a series of strong storms moves through the western US state. Photo: DAVID MCNEW/AFP/Getty Images Photo: DAVID MCNEW/AFP/Getty Images Image 1 of / 90 Caption Close 173 mph wind whips Squaw Valley peak 1 / 90 Back to Gallery

What's more, they would have been tornado had they been cyclonic and sustained.

Many Tahoe ski resorts operated a limited number of lifts or closed entirely on Sunday, including Northstar, Sierra at Tahoe, Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows.

Winds were still gusting at well over 100 mph early Monday morning, and the National Weather Forecast office in Reno predicts the conditions will continue through Tuesday night and into Wednesday.

Check resort websites for updates on when they expect to reopen.