SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – A Winter Storm Warning is in place for the Lake Tahoe Basin until 7 a.m. Wednesday, and the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has just issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Thursday from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Thursday storm won’t leave behind as much snow, with up to 6 inches forecast for the east shore, 6 to 10 inches on both the west and south shore, and up to 18 inches at the crest.
Roads around the Lake Tahoe Basin have been a mess all day, with multiple road closures, multiple big rigs stuck in snow, and other stranded drivers.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) said they were waiting during the day on tow trucks for the over-length big rigs that jacknifed at Emerald Bay on SR89 and Lake Tahoe Blvd, near Mule Deer Circle. The bigger trucks need bigger tow trucks, and those in the area were backed up on multiple calls and they called in some from Stockton.
A big rig attempting to turn around at US50 and Sawmill Road was stuck in the snow earlier today, blocking traffic.
Every storm sees drivers of over-length (64-feet maximum on US50) rigs attempting to circumvent the chain controls in Meyers and make it through the backroads like North Upper Truckee and the western end of Lake Tahoe Blvd. that haven’t been plowed.
CHP had numerous calls for vehicles stuck on the highways, leading many of those roads to be shut down due to spinouts.
There are still many vehicles stuck in local neighborhoods, so use caution if driving.
As of 8:30 p.m. Tuesday:
California
US50 – Is closed from Pointview Dr /in Placerville to Meyers (El Dorado Co) – due to spinouts – Motorists are advised to use an alternate route
SR88 – Is closed from Dew Drop (Amador Co) to 5 mi west of Picketts Jct (Alpine Co) – Due to snow – Motorists are advised to use an alternate route
SR89 – Is closed at the Alpine/El Dorado Co Line – Due to snow – Motorists are advised to use an alternate route. Is closed at Emerald Bay State Park (El Dorado Co) – Due to snow – Motorists are advised to use an alternate route. Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires on all 4 wheels from 5 mi north of the Jct of US 50 to Bliss State Park (El Dorado Co).
I80 – Is closed from Colfax (Placer Co) to the Nevada State Line – Due to snow – Motorists are advised to use an alternate route.
Nevada
SR207 Kingsbury – Chains Required, All Vehicles except 4-wheel drive with Snow tires the whole length.
SR431 Mt. Rose – Road closed on the lake side of the summit.
US50 from Stateline to Carson City – Chains Required, All Vehicles except 4-wheel drive with Snow tires
For current conditions in California, visit https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/, and in Nevada, visit https://www.nvroads.com/