With storm headed to Lake Tahoe, Caltrans offers tools to help be prepared

With a forecast for the Sierra of a significant snowfall over both Donner Summit and Echo Summit, Caltrans issued a statement for motorists to take caution and to alert drivers of tools at their disposal to help them on their trip.

High winds are predicted with heavy snow, creating the potential for white-outs and even blizzard conditions on summit passes between Wednesday night and Friday morning.

The storm system could drop up to 2 feet of snowfall in the highest elevations as well as produce signifcant rainfall in the valley areas. Should travel be unavoidable, Caltrans is advising motorists to expect major travel delays for chain installation, holding of traffic for white-out conditions or traffic incident clean up, Caltrans snow removal operations or road restrictions or closures due to flooded roadways. Motorists are encouraged to carry chains, food, water, warm clothing and check to make sure they and their vehicle are prepared for winter driving conditions.

Before traveling over the mountains, check out Caltrans' “QuickMap” for current road conditions, view traffic cameras and see if there are chain requirements -http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov.

South Lake Tahoe has real-time cameras at Ski Run Blvd, the Y and Meyers, and then over the summit, at Sierra-at-Tahoe, Twin Bridges, Kyburz and Placerville. There are message boards near Stateline, at the Y and Meyers and they can also be viewed on the Caltrans site.

Motorists also can use the California Highway Information Network automated phone service by calling 1-800-427-ROAD (7623).