Headaches on the roadway as storm enters Lake Tahoe Basin

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - If you don't have to be on the roads around Lake Tahoe today, don't go.

As the beginning of fairly strong weather system has just hit the Sierra, there are not only chain controls but also a series of collisions and spinouts. The storm shouldn't have surprised anyone as warnings have been in place all week.

As of 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 5, 2019, chain controls are up on all mountain roads around Lake Tahoe on the California side, expected to be going up soon on the Nevada side.

Many cars are stuck on SR-89 at Emerald Bay. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is holding northbound traffic at Tallac at this time.

Cars parked illegally to sled near the Lake Tahoe Airport are causing a major traffic issue and CHP says "20 vehicle are now double parked, making U-turns and blocking the roadway."

Pedestrians seeking snow play areas around Sawmill Pond Road and Highway 50 are causing traffic issues on slick roads. One driver told CHP that they almost hit them.

There is a stuck vehicle on North Upper Truckee and Mt. Rainer, and collisions on Pioneer Trail and Mandan, US 50 and Chiapa.

A vehicle driving on US-50 on Echo Summit just hit two parked cars, cars that were parked to enjoy snow play. Down the road a bit there is a collision at Twin Bridges.

For up-to-the-minute conditions for California, visit http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ and for Nevada, https://nvroads.com/.

Controls as of 3:30 p.m.

US-50
Chains Required, All Vehicles Except 4-Wheel Drive with Snow Tires - on US-50 from mile post 58.0 in El Dorado County to mile post 70.6 in El Dorado County in California.

CA-88
Chains Required, All Vehicles Except 4-Wheel Drive with Snow Tires - on CA-88 from mile post 52.4 in Amador County to mile post 58.7 in Amador County in California.

Chains Required, All Vehicles Except 4-Wheel Drive with Snow Tires - on CA-88 from mile post 6.1 in Alpine County to mile post 22.7 in Alpine County in California.

CA-89
Chains or Snow Tires Required - on CA-89 from mile post 0.0 in Placer County to mile post 8.7 in Plumas County in California.

Chains or Snow Tires Required - on CA-89 from mile post 8.6 in El Dorado County to mile post 11.1 in El Dorado County in California.

Chains Required, All Vehicles Except 4-Wheel Drive with Snow Tires - on CA-89 from mile post 21.4 in Alpine County to mile post 8.5 in El Dorado County in California.

Chains Required, All Vehicles Except 4-Wheel Drive with Snow Tires - on CA-89 from mile post 11.1 in El Dorado County to mile post 0.0 in Placer County in California.

SR-267
Chains or Snow Tires Required - on SR-267 from mile post 3.8 in Placer County to mile post 0.0 in Nevada County in California.

Chains Required, All Vehicles Except 4-Wheel Drive with Snow Tires - on SR-267 from mile post 9.9 in Placer County to mile post 3.8 in Placer County in California.

SR-28
Chains or Snow Tires Required - on SR-28 from mile post 0.0 in Placer County in CA to mile post 11.0 in Washoe County in NV.

SR-431
Chains Required, All Vehicles Except 4-Wheel Drive with Snow Tires - on SR-431 from Diamond Peak to Timberline Drive in Nevada.

At this hour no controls on US-50 Spooner or SR-207 but that can change.