Chain controls up on many roads; Highway 50 over Spooner now open

Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/04/2017 - 8:29am

10:10 a.m. update 1/4/17 - Highway 50 over Spooner Summer is now open, but with chain or snow tire requirements from Stateline to SR28.

Update on current conditions:

US 50 from Meyers to Twin Bridges - Chains or 4WD with snow tires on all 4 wheels.

SR 89 from Christmas Valley to Hope Valley - Chains or 4WD with snow tires on all 4 wheels over the summit. At 9:32 a.m. a tree fell down onto the roadway and they are clearing it now.
SR 89 through Emerald Bay is closed at this time.
SR 88 is closed from Ham's Station to 5 miles west of Pickett's Junction due to snow. Chains or 4WD with snow tires on all 4 wheels from Dew Drop to Ham's Station and from 5 miles west of Pickett's Junction to Woodfords.
Kingsbury Grade is chains or snow tires from Lake Tahoe to the summit, then closed from the summit to the valley for "weeks."
I80 is Chains or 4WD with snow tires on all 4 wheels from Kingvale to Truckee. All trucks are being screened for maximum chains.

Many South Lake Tahoe roads are difficult to navigate with the rain and snow, creating a heavy, thick slush.

On the South Shore today there will be a high near 36 and a low around 29. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible if the temperatures drop. Tonight, snow before 10 p.m. then rain and snow. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible where below freezing.

An avalanche warning is in place from 4 p.m. Wednesday to 7:00 a.m. Thursday. Expect Highway 50 over Echo Summit to be closed periodically for avalanche control.

* * *
Numerous slide-offs and a disabled semi-truck at the intersection of US 395 and Highway 50 in Carson City has caused Nevada Highway Patrol to close the highway in both directions from SR28 to the valley.

With Kingsbury Grade closed, the only other way to Lake Tahoe from the valley at the moment is SR 88 and the Mt. Rose Highway. I-80 has been closed at times this morning.

Highway 50 over Echo Summit has also been closed at times due to avalanche control.

This story will be updated when conditions change.