Heavy Snow Socks Sierra; Blizzard Conditions Shut Down I-80, Highway 50
TRUCKEE (CBS SF/KPIX) -- Blizzard and avalanche warnings have been issued as a winter storm across the Sierra Nevada blanketed the region with heavy snow Monday, closing a number of roads Monday and schools.
Caltrans closed Interstate 80 Monday from Colfax to the Nevada state line due to whiteout conditions. Earlier, traffic was held for about two hours after several cars crashed because of a jackknifed trailer truck about 13 miles west of Truckee.
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Caltrans said it was also holding Highway 50 traffic in Meyers and Echo Summit.
The California Highway Patrol said if drivers don't need to be here, don't come.
Caltrans helped vehicles already in the Truckee area off the freeway so snow removal equipment would have a clear path.
All traffic, including four wheel drives, was being stopped. No one was allowed past Colfax.
Dina Vialpando was trying to return to Reno to get her daughters cancer meds.
"She needs a bone marrow transplant so, we're trying to get her back so she can get her medicine in Reno. She came to get us in Santa Rosa so we're trying to get back to her medication. We didn't think she was going to be gone this long, said Vialpando.
Meanwhile downhill, no trucks were allowed past Applegate. Big rig trucks were lining up, waiting while the freeway was closed.
Robin Liang and his family are just up the road at Colfax,
"We're trying to get to Lake Tahoe to have some fun," said Liang.
The Placer County Sheriff's Substation was digging out their vehicles as snowfall was reported in some places up to three-and-a-half feet, in the last 48 hours.
Ski resorts were also digging out.
Heavenly and Northstar each received nearly two feet in the last 24 hours. On Monday it was still coming down hard. Low visibility made skiing difficult and the ski patrol was out in full force.
KRCR-TV of Redding reports classes at three Shasta County schools were canceled due to snow.
We're seeing about 110mph wind gusts over the ridges and a steady 55 mph winds at the mountain base. ???? That's a storm folks‼️ #CAwx #CAstorm pic.twitter.com/QAs2Tj4yaG
— Placer Sheriff (@PlacerSheriff) February 4, 2019
Traffic Alert:
— CHP Truckee (@CHP_Truckee) February 4, 2019
Traffic on I-80 is currently closed both eastbound and westbound from State Line to Colfax due to whiteout conditions and spin outs. No ETO at this time.
Expect delays.
This is a photo of a CHP Chevy Tahoe with the emergency lights activated on Donner Summit. pic.twitter.com/sC80M3I1d8
A Blizzard Warning was in effect for western slopes of the Sierra until 10 p.m. Monday, and a Avalanche Warning was in effect for the Central Sierra Nevada between Yuba Pass (Hwy 49) on the north and Ebbetts Pass (Hwy 4) on the south, including the greater Lake Tahoe area.
Meanwhile, a Winter Storm Warning was in effect until 4 p.m. Tuesday
Sierra storms have dumped at least eight feet of snow over the past two days, with more expected.
© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.