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Blizzard hits Truckee

Staff reportsA massive storm pounding the Sierra Nevada has dropped about two feet of snow on Truckee and snarled travel during the year-end holidays.After re-opening Interstate 80 at 8 a.m. Thursday after an approximately eight-hour closure, the main route over the Sierra was closed again at about 10:15 Thursday morning. Caltrans is currently holding traffic at the Nevada stateline and at Applegate, about 50 miles east of Sacramento, due to blizzard conditions at higher elevations. Moderate to heavy snow will continue through Friday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in Reno. Snow levels at Lake Tahoe are expected to reach two to four feet, with six feet of snow possible above 8,000 feet. Strong winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 55 mph will continue through Thursday evening. Gusts of more than 100 mph are expected over the ridges, the NWS forecast says.The winds will make for low visibility from blowing and drifting snow and local blizzard conditions.Caltrans spokesman Mark Dinger said visibility was what spurred the closure of I-80 early Thursday. But despite the conditions, Caltrans plow crews continue to work lest they fall behind Mother Nature.”We have the technology to plow even when the visibility is zero,” Dinger said.


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