Westbound traffic on Interstate 80 has reopened at the Nevada state line after multiple spinouts closed the highway earlier Tuesday, according to Caltrans.
Chain controls remain in effect in both directions across the Sierra. Westbound drivers must use chains from the Nevada state line to Colfax unless in a 4-wheel-drive vehicle with snow tires on all four wheels. Eastbound chain controls stretch from just east of Gold Run to Hirshdale Road near Truckee, according to Caltrans.
Eastbound I-80 remains open, but trucks are being screened at Applegate, and semitrailer combinations are prohibited past that point due to traction concerns.
Heavy snow continues to fall in the Sierra, with up to 2 feet of accumulation possible at Donner Pass by the end of the day, according to the National Weather Service in Sacramento. Another 3 to 7 inches is expected Tuesday night. Nearly a foot of snow could also fall in Tahoe through tonight.
A winter storm warning remains in effect through 11 p.m. Tuesday.
Update Tuesday 12:20 p.m.
Westbound traffic on Interstate 80 is being held from the Nevada state line to just east of Gold Run due to multiple spinouts, according to Caltrans.
Chain controls remain in effect, and drivers should expect significant travel delays.
Truck traffic is also being screened in both directions. Eastbound big rigs are prohibited past Applegate, and westbound trucks must carry chains and stop for brake checks west of Nyack, according to Caltrans.
Heavy snow continues to fall across the Sierra today. Up to 2 feet of new snow is possible at Donner Pass by the end of the day, according to the National Weather Service in Sacramento. Another 3 to 7 inches is expected Tuesday night.
A winter storm warning remains in effect through 11 p.m. Tuesday. Motorists are urged to delay travel through the Sierra.
Update Tuesday 7:45 a.m.
Westbound I-80 reopened Tuesday at the Nevada state line after spinouts shut the highway during heavy Sierra snow.
Chain controls remain in effect in both directions. Eastbound drivers must use chains from just east of Gold Run to the Nevada line unless in a 4-wheel-drive vehicle with snow tires on all four wheels. Westbound chain controls stretch from the state line to Colfax under the same guidelines.
Snow showers continue Tuesday in the Truckee area, with 3 to 7 inches expected during the day and another inch possible overnight. Winds may gust up to 25 mph, with lows dropping into the teens.
Motorists should expect winter driving conditions and travel delays in the I-80 corridor through Tuesday night.
Original story
A winter storm continued to hammer the Sierra and western Nevada on Monday, dumping feet of snow across the Interstate 80 corridor.
Westbound I-80 was shut down at the Nevada state line due to multiple spinouts, according to Caltrans. There was no estimated time of reopening as of Monday afternoon.
Eastbound I-80 remained open but under chain controls from just east of Baxter, California, to the Nevada state line. Only 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels are exempt.
Up to 4 feet of snow is expected at Donner Pass, with higher peaks possibly reaching 5 feet. A winter storm warning remains in effect through 11 p.m. Tuesday for the Tahoe region. Gusts along Sierra ridgelines may top 100 mph.
Rain mixed with snow was expected in the Reno area Monday night into Tuesday, though accumulation was expected to be light on the valley floor. Travel delays are likely through Tuesday.
Sierra traffic cameras and storm watch resources