Caltrans advises people to avoid traveling on Interstate 80 in Sierra
TRUCKEE – All traffic was being held on Interstate 80 in the Sierra as a winter storm dropped heavy snow Thursday afternoon.
Caltrans said eastbound traffic was held at Drum Forebay while westbound traffic was held at the state line and Truckee due to spinouts. Caltrans officials also advised people not to travel over the Sierra on I-80.
Eastbound traffic was released around 4 p.m., but remained closed to all tractor-semitrailer combinations from Applegate to the state line. Westbound traffic was still being held in Truckee.
Chain controls have been up on I-80 for most of the day in the Sierra.
The California Highway Patrol Truckee posted a video of whiteout conditions at about 3 p.m. on its Facebook page.
Highway 50 had chain controls in place from Twin Bridges to Meyers.
Heavy snow and southerly winds up to 70 miles per hour were expected in the Sierra Thursday afternoon.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect until 10 p.m. Friday for elevations about 4,500 feet.
The latest road conditions can be found on Caltrans' website.
