Update as of Thursday, Dec. 25 at 7:30 p.m. – According to CHP Truckee, “Westbound I-80 traffic is currently being turned around at Truckee due to multiple spin-outs and jackknifed big rigs over Donner Summit.

At this time, there is no estimated time of reopening.

Update as of Wednesday, Dec. 24 at 2:30 p.m. – All trucks are being turned at Stateline on I-80 eastbound and Applegate on I-80 westbound.

Cars are being allowed through intermittently as Caltrans attempts to keep the roads clear.

LAKE TAHOE, Nev./Calif. – What some are calling a Christmas miracle after a dry December, snow is falling in the Tahoe Basin. Here’s this morning’s report on the storm.

Overnight totals

The UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab measured 1.2 inches of snow Wednesday morning. That brings the 2-day total to 5.5 inches.

The lab reports heavy snowfall rates on radar, increasing snowfall predictions to 3-5 feet by late Thursday.

Road conditions

If you’re planning on traveling in the basin or over basin summits, bring chains or utilize the right vehicle. All major highways and roads in the Tahoe Basin currently have restrictions.

I-80

For eastbound traffic, chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires from Kingvale to Truckee.

For westbound vehicles, chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires from the Donner Lake Interchange to 4.7 mi west of Kingvale.

US 50

Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires from Twin Bridges to Meyers and over Spooner Summit near Glenbrook to just west of Carson City.

Mt. Rose Hwy./SR-431

Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel drive with snow tires.

SR-28

Chains or snow tires are required from Secret Harbor Chain Up Area to Memorial Point Scenic Overlook.

Kingsbury Grade Road/SR-207

From US-50 to Dagget Pass Chain-Up Area, chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel drive with snow tires.

SR -89

From Picketts Jct. to Meyers, chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires.

Chains are also required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires from Sugar Pine State Park to the Jct of I-80.

Monitor road conditions, visit quickmap.dot.ca.gov for California roads and nvroads.com/map for Nevada roads.

Avalanche report

An avalanche watch is in effect for the central Sierra Nevada. The Sierra Avalanche Center has ranked the area with a Level 3 or “considerable” danger on the North American Public Avalanche Danger Scale.

The center says to expect the avalanche danger to rise quickly as the storm impacts the area, and estimates the danger to become high on Thursday.

Unstable slabs of new snow will form first in wind-loaded areas and spread to sheltered terrain below the treeline as storm snow intensifies.

The center advises people to monitor the rapidly changing conditions, avoid steep slopes and recreate on lower-angle, non-avalanche terrain to reduce the risk of getting caught in an avalanche.

For more information, visit sierraavalanchecenter.org.