The historic snowfall that’s hit the Sierras over the past few days shut down main highways into and out of the Lake Tahoe area. Downed power lines and trees were a problem on I-80 and Highway 50 was closed Monday night for avalanche control and then again Tuesday morning due to a jackknifed semi-truck near Meyers, according to local news reports from the Tahoe area. According to the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab at Soda Springs on Dec. 28 at 8 a.m., “8.4” (21.4 cm) of snow in the last 24 hours brings December’s total to 202.1″, which makes it the third snowiest month on record here (back to 1970).”
Residents trying to make their way to or from the area would do well to keep an eye on the Caltrans District 3 Twitter account which provides motorists with the latest updates on Highway 50 and 80 and state roads through the mountains. Caltrans District 3 maintains the state highway system in 11 Northern California counties. Check http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov for 24/7 highway conditions.
