Blizzard, Avalanche Warnings Issued In Sierra, Tahoe Area
(CBS SF) -- Blizzard and avalanche warnings have been issued for much of the Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe area.
The National Weather Service said a Winter Storm Warning was in effect until 4 a.m. Friday in the Sierra for areas above 5,500 feet, while a blizzard warning was in effect for elevations above 6,500 feet.
Travel was reported to be very difficult to impossible, with damage to trees and power lines is possible. Snowfall accumulations of two to four feet were likely above 5,500 feet with local accumulations up to six feet over the peaks.
Chain controls are back up for Interstate 80 and Highway 50, with the worst of this current storm still to come. Avoid Sierra travel the next two days if possible. pic.twitter.com/4sIC8lctCn
— Caltrans District 3 (@CaltransDist3) January 16, 2019
On Interstate 80 near Donner Summit Wednesday, a jackknifed big rig and other crashes had shut down traffic in both directions for about two hours.
Winds gusts as high as 60 mph or higher were causing whiteout conditions and significant drifting of the snow was likely, the weather service said.
Update:
— CHP Truckee (@CHP_Truckee) January 17, 2019
I-80 has reopened.
Chain Control:
I-80 is R2 Cisco to Truckee.
Trucks are maximum.
SR-89 is R2 Pickett's to US-50.
R1 Truckee to Sierra County Line.
SR-267 is R2 Northstar to Kings Beach.
US-50 is R2 Twin Bridges to Meyers.
SR-88 is R2 Peddler Vista to RLC! pic.twitter.com/ml1ysg3vyv
Meanwhile, the Sierra Avalanche Center in Truckee issued a Backcountry Avalanche Warning for the greater Lake Tahoe area from Wednesday afternoon through 7 a.m. Friday morning.
The affected area is the Central Sierra Nevada mountains between Yuba Pass (Hwy 49) on the north and Ebbetts Pass (Hwy 4) on the
south, including the greater Lake Tahoe area.
Caltrans on Wednesday closed State Route 88 at the Carson Spur for avalanche control.
#TrafficAlert Alpine County State Route 88 is now closed at the Carson Spur for avalanche control. No ETO and @NWSSacramento has issued a Blizzard Warning through tomorrow. Travel not advised- check ahead: https://t.co/KHwTwDU7oo pic.twitter.com/oGWXA3idzF
— Caltrans District 10 (@CaltransDist10) January 17, 2019
The center warned people to expect widespread, large, and destructive avalanche activity in the mountains.