conditions

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The stories of 10-15 hours to get to Lake Tahoe from the Bay Area on Friday were not isolated, and many of the repeat reports are occurring on Saturday.

Epic ski conditions have beckoned visitors to the mountains over the three-day holiday weekend, but what created those ski conditions has also caused local roads that aren't passable and clogged highways with frequent closures.

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Interstate 80 has reopened to eastbound/westbound passenger vehicles only. The road was closed Thursday night and all day Friday due to whiteout conditions and heavy snow.

R2 chain controls are in place from Alta to the Nevada state line.

Still no ETO for big rigs at this time.

Both eastbound/westbound travel is allowed on US50 over Echo Summit with R-2 chain controls from the 3000-foot level to Meyers.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The predicted winter storm is in full swing around Lake Tahoe, with feet of snow in the forecast through Sunday.

Moving about is not an easy task with snow plows attempting to keep up with the falling snow.

Here is a look at road conditions as of 9:00 a.m. Friday:

US50
Chains or Snow Tires Required - on US-50 from mile post 14.0 in Carson City County to mile post 29.4 in Lyon County in Nevada.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for Lake Tahoe from Valentine's Day through Sunday, February 17 at noon.

After a day that saw mostly rain at lake level, the National Weather Service updated the warning, extending the length of the warning that originally issued and lowering snow levels through the three-day period.

Good Morning Lake Tahoe Skiers & Riders…

Happy Valentine’s Day and Lake Tahoe Discovery Day! Fresh Snow reported at the highest elevations at all resorts… Wet Weather, Strong Winds and Threat of Lightning has most scheduled lifts on Hold… Many Resorts opting to CLOSE Today… Call Ahead! Winter Strom Warning in effect thru 10 pm Thursday with snow level expected to lower today. Backcountry Avalanche Danger is High! Stay Dry and Be Safe!

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Douglas County and the City of South Lake Tahoe are urging residents to prepare for the possibility of flooding and high winds as a storm with high winds and heavy rain enters the region.

Douglas County has sandbags available at nine locations and urges residents to assemble them on their property if there is a chance of flooding. Sandbag locations can are self-fill and the current locations are:

Zephyr Cove Park, Warrior Way - Sand is located in the upper parking lot

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - During the storm that hit Lake Tahoe on Saturday, February 9, several drivers decided to ignore closure signs on the Mt. Rose Highway and proceed without complying to chain requirements on the open portions. These vehicles became stuck in the heavy snowfall or stopped due to zero visibility white-out conditions, leading rescuers into what they call "life-threatening conditions."

LAKE TAHOE, CA/NV - After Caltrans attempted to open I80 this afternoon, it closed again for westbound traffic after a weather cell moved in, causing visibility issues. It is starting to move again but all tractor-trailer combinations are not allowed on I80 due to visibility at this hour.

From Kingvale to Truckee, chains are required on all vehicles except 4WD with snow tires.

From Meyers to South Lake Tahoe westbound traffic is backing up along Highway 50 towards the Y as cars are attempting to head west over Echo Summit.

Some road conditions as of 5:20 p.m. Sunday:

CA88

UPDATE 11:00 a.m. Sunday - Westbound traffic is now being allowed over Echo Summit on Highway 50. Other arteries remain closed.

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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - If you don't have to go anywhere through the Sierra this morning, stay home, stay dry and stay safe.

I80 is closed from the state line to Applegate.
US50 is closed from Meyers to Smith Flat. Not only is snow causing an issue, but there are also multiple trees down and powerline issues along the route.
SR 89 remains closed at Emerald Bay.
SR 88 is closed from Peddler Vista to Red Lake Creek, east of Kirkwood.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Another round of storms is headed to Lake Tahoe, but not quite as potent as last week's storms that dumped several feet over the Sierra.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Lake Tahoe from 4:00 p.m. Friday to 10:00 p.m. Sunday. Heavy snow is expected. Total lake level snow accumulations of 17 to 29 inches with the highest totals west of Highway 89, except 2 to 4 feet above 7000 feet expected. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph with ridge winds gusting as high as 95 mph.

Do you know what it is like to be caged like a wild animal? Do you know what it is like to scratch at the insides of a jail cell wall as you scream for your freedom? Do you know what it is like to have your nightmares as your only company?

I can’t say that I know what it’s like. I really can’t.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Refuse trucks will not go out in South Lake Tahoe Tuesday due to the conditions on the roadways. In many neighborhoods, the trucks cannot get through due to heavy snow.

They will not make it to commercial clients either.

Bring all trash cans and bags back to the home so they won't hamper snow removal operations.

Trash pick up will be on the resident's next scheduled day. South Tahoe Refuse will try to get to all commercial customers Wednesday if the dumpsters are dug out.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - If you were planning on crossing the Sierra this evening, you'll have to change those plans now that US50 over Echo Summit has been added to the road closure list.

Severe weather conditions have led to numerous accidents and stranded vehicles.

Snow at times has been falling at 4.5 inches an hour. Caltrans closed the roads for safety.

Current closures:

Interstate 80: Eastbound commercial vehicles are being turned at Applegate; passenger vehicles are being turned at Colfax. Westbound at the Nevada state line

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Motorists on roads throughout the Sierra have had to deal with heavy snow and chain controls and at times full road closures.

As of 3:00 p.m., the following closures are in place:

US 50 over Echo Summit is closed for avalanche control. Traffic is being held in Meyers and Twin Bridges.

SR 267 is closed from the I-80 junction to the SR 28 junction due to severe weather conditions.

The El Dorado County Superior Court is on a delayed start today, Monday, February 4. They will start at 10:00 a.m. They will probably close early so that staff and court users can get home safely.

The City of South Lake Tahoe offices will be open but the Recreation and Swim Complex will be closed all day today due to inclement weather and predicted dangerous blizzard conditions throughout the day.

All three local branches of El Dorado Savings will close at 2:00 p.m.

If any other businesses inform us they have different hours than normal today they will be posted on this story.

In anticipation of poor driving conditions and a blizzard warning in South Lake Tahoe, the Lake Tahoe Unified School District has closed schools for Monday, February 4, 2019.

Washoe County schools in Lake Tahoe at Incline Village are taking a digital day.

Douglas County schools at the lake have a snow day (ZCES and GWHS).

All Tahoe Truckee schools and offices are closed today.

Lake Tahoe Community College is closed.

Camino Union School District - Closed

Gold Oak Union School District - Closed

Indian Diggings School District - Closed

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It's the middle of a four-day storm in the Sierra with all mountain roads impacted by the snow. There is a Winter Storm Warning in effect until 4:00 p.m. Tuesday with the next wave of it expected to hit Lake Tahoe by 4:00 p.m. Sunday.

The first wave of a several-day storm in Lake Tahoe was mostly rain on the South Shore overnight but it was a different story on the North Shore and south near Kirkwood.

Road controls as of 10:00 a.m. Saturday:

US50
Chains Required, All Vehicles Except 4-Wheel Drive with Snow Tires - on US-50 from milepost 59.8 in El Dorado County to milepost 70.6 in El Dorado County in California.

Chains Required, All Vehicles Except 4-Wheel Drive with Snow Tires - on US-50 from Spooner Junction to Douglas Carson County Line in Nevada.

SR88

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There is a Winter Storm Warning in place for Lake Tahoe, one that starts on Friday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. and lasts until Monday night at 10:00 p.m. as two major storms take aim for Lake Tahoe.

The incoming storms have prompted travel officials to warn travelers to get to Lake Tahoe by 4:00 p.m. Friday night and to stay off mountain roads from then until early Monday morning.

The warnings are calling for heavy snow at lake level anywhere from 19" to 33" and up to five feet of snow above 7000 feet over the four-day period.

UPDATE -9:30 a.m. - That high pressure appears to be buckling, allowing for some storms to come inland and to Lake Tahoe. See the update here - http://southtahoenow.com/story/01/28/2019/change-weather-ahead-lake-tahoe.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - High pressure centered near the West Coast will bring dry conditions and above average temperatures through the first part of the
week. By Friday, an area of low pressure is forecast to move into to

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – California State Parks and the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District will continue prescribed fire operations over the next several weeks in multiple locations around Lake Tahoe, weather, staffing, and conditions permitting.

Six areas are currently scheduled for burning -

1. DL Bliss Campground - Acreage: 17 (Ongoing)
2. D. L. Bliss Gateway - Acreage: 4 (Ongoing)
3. Sunset Stables East - Acreage: 10 (Ongoing)
4. NV State Lands - Lower Kingsbury - Acreage: 5 (Planned start January 30)

LAKE TAHOE, CA/NV – Lake Tahoe needs our help. The “Jewel of the Sierra” is being loved to death. The vast amount of trips being made by motor vehicles have contributed to severe traffic congestion, unsafe conditions for cars, pedestrians, and cyclists, mounting air pollution, declining lake clarity, and other negative impacts.

Good Morning Lake Tahoe Skiers & Riders…

A Beautiful HUMP DAY to Get Out on the Mountain… Plenty of Machine Groomed Corduroy & Skier Rider Packed Powder… Respect All Patrol Closures. Get After It. Have Fun & Be Safe!

TODAY’S WEATHER: Expect Sunny Skies. Highs: 41F-46F. (31F-36F on the slopes) Light Winds.

TONIGHT: Partly Cloudy in the evening then clearing. Lows: 17F-27F. Light Winds.

Good Morning Lake Tahoe Skiers & Riders…

A Beautiful Tuesday to Get Out on the Mountain… Fresh snow and Machine Groomed Corduroy… Respect All Patrol Closures… A Few Road Controls posted. Get After It. Have Fun & Be Safe!

TODAY’S WEATHER: Expect Sunny Skies. Highs: 35F-40F. (25F-30F on the slopes) East winds 10-15 mph. Ridge Gusts up to 70 mph decreasing to 50 mph in the afternoon.

TONIGHT: Clear in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. Lows: 14F-24F. Light Winds.