Storm Buries Sierra Under Several Feet Of Snow
TRUCKEE (CBS SF) -- A fierce winter storm, packing high winds and blinding snow showers, buried the Sierra under several feet of new snow Sunday, shutting down ski resorts and closing both Highway 50 and I-80.
A winter storm warning remains in effect for the Lake Tahoe area where both Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows ski resorts have been closed after receiving 3 feet of snow over the last 24 hours.
The National Weather Service reported that over the last 24 hours Heavenly got 42 inches of new snow, Northstar got 37, Sierra at Tahoe received 30 and Tahoe City got 27 inches.
The recent storm left many county roads in the Tahoe Basin waiting to be plowed. It may take several hours to get to some of those areas. If you have to travel, beware of snow removal equipment and workers. #CAwx #castorm #PlacerCounty #NorthLakeTahoe pic.twitter.com/zDfpLM7ltH
— Placer Sheriff (@PlacerSheriff) February 10, 2019
Caltrans District 3 tweeted that at the summit on I-80 there has been "60 inches (of new snow) in 24 hours!!!"
Caltrans announced that I-80 was open from the stateline at 5:19 p.m., except for big rigs.
The vehicle traffic is moving once again on I-80 westbound from stateline. Big rigs are being held and will update at 7pm. As a reminder drive slow and watch for snow equipment.
— Caltrans District 3 (@CaltransDist3) February 11, 2019
The wind was also playing a major role in creating hazardous conditions. The National Weather Service said winds were gusting as high as 55 mph with ridge winds gusting to a hurricane force 110 mph.
"While accumulating snow has caused issues, it has been the whiteout conditions that have had the largest impact," the weather service said. "Winds continue to whip up dry snow... the Sierra continues to pile on snow measured in feet with large drifts and travel is nearly impossible considering road closures due to whiteout conditions."
Avoid mountain travel through Sunday! Very heavy #snow tonight into Sunday morning making travel over the #Sierra near impossible. pic.twitter.com/gm2Neem6eP
— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) February 10, 2019
The Sierra Avalanche Center has issued a considerable to high warning for snow slides in the Lake Tahoe Area. The warning remains in effect until 7 a.m. Monday.
"Very dangerous avalanche conditions may occur. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended during HIGH avalanche danger," the center warned. "Large destructive avalanches could occur."