Heavy snow expected throughout the day: Traffic held at times on US50, SR88 closed

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The forecast storm has hit, causing numerous delays on Lake Tahoe Basin highways. Drivers trying to avoid the backups caused by closed roads are making surface streets, such as North Upper Truckee in Meyers, impassable on Sunday morning. If you have to head west over Echo Summit on US 50, you may want to exit the roadway and wait in a warm, dry location.

Caltrans urges all drivers to stay on highways only and not venture through surface streets where they may not be plowed. Tow trucks are in high demand today and may not be able to reach you for hours. Mobile maps like Google and Waze may direct you when traffic is backed up, but moving to streets will not get you there faster and will, in turn, cause bigger delays.

The Winter Storm Warning is in place until 10 a.m. Monday.

As of 11:30 a.m. Sunday:

US50 over Echo: Traffic is being held temporarily due to numerous spinouts. When open, chains will be required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires on all 4 wheels from 1.6 mi west of Kyburz to Meyers.

SR88: Is closed to eastbound traffic 3 mi west of Silver Lake (Amador Co) due to multiple spinouts. Motorists are advised to use an alternate route according to Caltrans. In areas open, chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires on all 4 wheels from Cooks Station (Amador Co) to 1 mi west of Woodfords (Alpine Co).

I80: For Eastbound Traffic: Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires on all 4 wheels from 2.1 mi east of Baxter (Placer Co) to Hirschdale Rd /in Truckee/ (Nevada Co). For Westbound Traffic: Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires on all 4 wheels from the Nevada State line to 3.4 mi east of Gold Run (Placer Co).

SR89: Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires on all 4 wheels from (Alpine Co) to 2.7 mi south of the Jct of US 50 (El Dorado Co). Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires on all 4 wheels from 5.3 mi north of the Jct of US 50 (El Dorado Co) to Truckee (Nevada Co).

SR267 Kingsbury: Chains required on all vehicles except for 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires on all 4 wheels.

For road conditions on California highways, visit https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/, and in Nevada, visit https://www.nvroads.com/region/Carson%20City.

US50 at Pioneer Trail at 11:45 a.m.