Chain controls in effect on many Tahoe roads; More snow in forecast
Provided/Caltrans
TRUCKEE, Calif. — Many roads in Truckee-Tahoe Wednesday morning have chain or snow tire requirements after an early season storm that is expected to impact the region through the evening.
The National Weather Service in Reno has a winter weather advisory in effect through 8 p.m. The updated advisory Wednesday morning calls for 3 to 6 inches of snow above 7,000 feet and 1 to 3 inches at lake level.
Travel will continue to be difficult, especially over mountain passes.
“Showers may bring rapidly changing conditions with a quick 1 to 2 inches of accumulation,” the advisory said. “Be prepared for sudden changes in visibility and road conditions. Even light snowfall causes major travel delays, especially during periods of high traffic volume.”
On Interstate 80, chains are required west of Truckee, from California State Route 89 over Donner Summit. The California Highway Patrol, Truckee office, has responded to dozens of collisions on I-80 since the storm hit Tuesday afternoon.
On U.S. Highway 50, chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel drive with snow tires on all four wheels from Meyers to Twin Bridges.
Chains are not required in Meyers and South Lake Tahoe.
The restrictions on US 50 pick back up at Stateline and chains or snow tires are required all around the East Shore and over Spooner Summit.
Chains or snow tires are required on Nevada State Route 28, from US 50 through Incline Village and Crystal Bay.
Just beyond Crystal Bay, chains are required on California State Route 267 from Kings Beach to Northstar.
On SR-89, chains are required after Camp Richardson through Emerald Bay and the restrictions ease to chains or snow tires on 4-wheel drives from Emerald Bay to Tahoma and also from Tahoe City to Olympic Valley.
Chains are also required on SR-88 from Woodfords to well beyond Carson Pass and Kirkwood.
The storm is expected to move out of the region Wednesday night leaving cold temperatures on Thursday, with a high of 38 and overnight low in the low teens.
The temps rise into the 50s for the weekend but the service says more precipitation could be coming.
“A cool, wet and unsettled pattern begins late Saturday and persists through the middle of
next week,” the service said.
For information on chain controls, visit https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips/chain-controls.
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