Got plans to hit the Sierra Nevada for this long weekend?
If you do, you may run into a few obstacles on the way… literally!
Weather-wise, the area is getting A LOT of snow.
There’s currently a Winter Storm Warning in effect until 4 a.m. Sunday, with an additional 3 to 6 feet of snow in the forecast, according to the National Weather Service Sacramento.
Wow, the snow is really coming down here in South Lake Tahoe! Hasn’t let up all day long pic.twitter.com/eqicxpo3i2— Emily Kirschenheuter (@ekirschenheuter) February 15, 2019
You can expect major travel delays, chain controls are likely, and there will be significant reductions in visibility.
I-80 was shutdown Thursday evening for low visibility, but as of 6:15 p.m. Friday, the CHP said the road had reopened with chain controls. The interstate is still closed for tractor trailers, the agency said.
And it’s OPEN!
I-80 is open with chain Control. R2 Alta to the Nevada State Line.
I-80 remains closed to all tractor trailer traffic at this time! pic.twitter.com/xGrEYGqnSp— CHP-Truckee (@CHP_Truckee) February 16, 2019
Looking at our Twin Bridges camera, we just put barricades up HOLDING eastbound traffic on Highway 50. Expect long delays if trying to get to @cityofslt today. pic.twitter.com/tbRquG8hSN— Caltrans District 3 (@CaltransDist3) February 15, 2019
Overall, travel is highly discouraged.
Earlier Friday, all three major routes to Tahoe — I-80, SR-88, and US-50 — were shut down due to white-out conditions.
Highway 50 was also closed briefly while officials conducted an avalanche control, which they say will be done throughout the weekend, so expect delays!
If you need further proof as to why the roads are closed, CHP Truckee posted a little explainer video showing you what current conditions look like on Donner Pass… and boy does it look rough up there!
If you’re still determined on making it to the Sierra, don’t forget you can track the storm with KRON4’s Interactive Radar or view live traffic maps.
Safe travels!
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