Major Storm Impacts Northern California: Heavy Snow and Rain

A powerful storm system continues to impact Northern California, bringing significant snowfall to the Sierra Nevada and soaking rains to surrounding areas. The KCRA 3 weather team has issued an Alert Day for Tuesday due to dangerous travel conditions, urging residents to avoid travel in and out of the Sierra whenever possible.

Travel Warnings and Road Conditions

With the potential for several feet of snow through Wednesday, chain controls are in effect on highways in the Sierra. All vehicles, except those properly equipped with four-wheel drive and snow tires, must use chains. Reduced speed limits are also imposed during these conditions: 30 mph on Interstate 80 and 25 mph on Highway 50.

Although the rainfall amounts will be less than the snowfall, the rain is anticipated to keep roadways wet, which may lead to minor flooding. However, forecasts indicate that rivers and creeks are not expected to overflow.

Current Road Conditions:

• Interstate 80: Closed from Colfax to the Nevada state line; chains are required from 3.4 miles east of Gold Run.
• Highway 50: Closed from Pointview Drive in Placerville to Meyers; chains required 9 miles east of Placerville.
• Highway 88: Closed from 3.5 miles east of Silver Lake; chain requirements from Pine Grove.
• Highway 89: Closed at Emerald Bay State Park; chains required from Truckee to Sierra-Plumas County line.
• Highway 4: Chains required from Arnold to the Mt. Reba turnoff.

Weather Alerts and Advisories

The National Weather Service has also issued a Wind Advisory valid from Monday at 10 a.m. to Wednesday at 10 p.m., predicting gusts of 35 to 45 mph. These strong winds could lead to power outages and downed tree limbs, posing additional risks for residents.

Live Updates from the Region

Tuesday Highlights:

• 12:46 p.m.: Approximately 6,300 customers in Nevada County are without power due to storm-related outages, with no estimated restoration time.
• 12:02 p.m.: A group of backcountry skiers is reported missing after an avalanche in Castle Peak, prompting a search and rescue operation.
• 11:51 a.m.: El Dorado County has closed all administrative buildings in South Lake Tahoe due to severe whiteout conditions.

Ski Resort Reports:

• Palisades Tahoe: Reported 29 inches of new snow in the past day and a total of 41 inches over the last week, expecting up to 50 more inches by week’s end.
• Bear Valley Mountain Resort: Recorded 23 inches of fresh snow in the previous day, anticipating additional snowfall.

Community and Safety Information

As conditions remain hazardous, several schools, including the Pollock Pines Elementary School District and Silver Fork Elementary School District, have canceled classes for Tuesday. Residents are encouraged to stay informed of local conditions and follow guidelines related to travel and safety.

For further road conditions, Doppler radar tracking, and school closures, visit Caltrans and KCRA. Stay safe, and prepare for ongoing winter weather impacts in the region.