A snowfall epidemic raged in California for the sixth day as the northern part of the state was hit by strong winds and snowfalls that caused travel problems and left people snowed in to start the work week.
Interstate-80 was closed as seven feet of snow fell in Tahoe and 190 mph winds whipped through the Sierra Nevada Valley.
Power outages were reported in Truckee, Tahoe City and Zephyr Cove as trees fell on power lines along Highway 89.
Ski resorts were closed as strong winds wreaked havoc in the mountains, as the National Weather Service said a rare blizzard warning for areas above 6,500 feet in elevation will remain in effect until midnight Sunday.
Dozens of trucks remained stranded on I-80 as officials said the highway could reopen Monday if there is a “weather break.”
Several cars were stranded in deep piles of snow as drivers abandoned their vehicles to get help. A snowstorm in California has buried northern parts of the state under several feet of snow
Interstate-80 was closed as seven feet of snow fell in Tahoe and 190 mph winds whipped through the Sierra Nevada Valley. Officials said it was unclear when the road would reopen and that it would depend on whether there was a “break in the weather.”
A long line of traffic is seen on a snow-covered road near the California border in Reno, Nevada, on Sunday
Trees and homes are covered in snow during the strong, rare snowstorm in the Sierra Nevada mountains on Sunday
Although the worst of the storm is believed to have already occurred, moderate to light snow is forecast for Monday and Tuesday. A driver is stuck in his truck, which is almost covered in snow
A truck driver checks tire chains as all trucks are parked on Highway I-80 as there is no visibility near the California border in Reno, Nevada
Although the worst of the storm is believed to have already occurred, moderate to light snow is forecast for Monday and Tuesday.
According to the National Weather Service, Sugar Bowl, California has already received 7.45 feet of snow, while Donner Peak received 7.25 feet.
Palisades Tahoe, the largest resort on the north end of Lake Tahoe and site of the 1960 Winter Olympics, closed all chairlifts Saturday because of snow, wind and poor visibility.
It was scheduled to reopen late Sunday morning after an estimated 1.5 meters of snow on the upper mountain Saturday evening.
“We will be excavating for the foreseeable future,” officials said on the resort’s blog.
Resort crew members trying to battle the storm said they “did their best” as avalanche danger crept in.
In a post Sunday, the resort said: “Monday operations: We plan to open 18 lifts in Palisades and 7 lifts on the Alpine side.” Scheduled lifts are subject to change or delays. We will provide updates following the morning assessments.'
Near Lake Tahoe, Alibi Ale Works brewpub and restaurant was one of the few businesses open Saturday.
Bartender Thomas Petkanas said about three feet of snow had fallen by midday and patrons were shaking off the snow as they arrived.
“It's snowing pretty heavily out there, it's very windy and the power is out in about half the city,” Petkanas said by phone.
I-80 was closed between Colfax and Truckee for the third night in a row due to a snowstorm
Because of a lack of visibility, trucks were parked on Highway I-80 near the California border in Reno, Nevada
Wrapped up workers brave the storm as they attempt to clear a roof in Olympic Valley on Sunday
A view of the sidewalk during heavy snowfall as snow covers historic downtown Truckee, California on Sunday
A person is seen using a snow blower to try to combat the pounding snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains. A second, weaker storm is expected to bring another 1 to 2 feet of snow to the region between Monday and Wednesday
Although the extreme storm affected many people in the Golden State, no casualties were reported.
No injuries were reported, but there were several vehicle accidents throughout the region. In one case, a truck was seen overturned and cars were nearly buried in snow and stranded on a mountain road.
Rudy Islas spent about 40 minutes shoveling out his car before heading to work at a coffee shop in Truckee, California, on Sunday morning. Neither he nor his customers were fazed by the snow, he said.
“To be honest, if you’re a local, it’s not a big deal,” he said. “I think a lot of people are used to the snow and are preparing for it.”
Some took advantage of the unusually strong storm to have a little fun as two huskies, Echo and Yuba, were seen frolicking through the snow in Tahoe.
Another person decided to see how deep the snow was when she fell off a deck in Tahoe and sank with only her head visible.
The center warned of “significant disruptions to daily life and travel” in the Sierra Nevada region due to “dangerous snowstorms.”
“An additional 1 to 2 feet of snowfall” is also expected in parts of Nevada and California by Monday morning.
“Avalanches are becoming increasingly likely in the Sierra Nevada as additional snowfall accumulates,” meteorologists at the center said.
An SUV had to be towed out of a mountain of snow on the El Dorado Freeway in South Lake Tahoe on Sunday morning
USPS trucks are barely visible in the dense snowstorm that dropped seven feet of snow in the Tahoe area and caused 180 mph winds in the Sierra Nevada Valley
Severe snowstorms continue in the Tahoe region. First responders have been working to ensure the safety of the public.
Caltrans shared this video of a driver being rescued from a snow-covered Highway 50 on Sunday morning.
Latest storm updates here: https://t.co/Hh4znWZTB1 pic.twitter.com/o36vqNfmth
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) March 4, 2024
A train is seen braving the elements as the heavy snow fell. The storm began moving into the region on Thursday. A blizzard warning extended across a 300-mile stretch of the mountains through Sunday morning
A view of the Welcome Center during heavy snowfall as historic downtown Truckee is covered in snow
A person is seen using skis to get around in downtown Truckee, California
Palisades Tahoe, the largest resort on the north end of Lake Tahoe and site of the 1960 Winter Olympics, closed all chairlifts Saturday because of snow, wind and poor visibility
A snow plow in use on Highway I-80 near the California border in Reno, Nevada, on Sunday
Hundreds of travelers were trapped in their vehicles for several hours and 8,000 homes in California were without power on Sunday morning.
“We encourage you to stay home, stay warm and not put yourself or your family in a dangerous situation,” the California Highway Patrol in Truckee said on social media.
More than 10 feet of snow is expected at higher elevations, National Weather Service meteorologist William Churchill said Saturday.
The storm began moving into the region on Thursday. A blizzard warning extended across a 300-mile stretch of the mountains through Sunday morning.
A second, weaker storm is expected to bring another 1 to 2 feet of snow to the region between Monday and Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service office in Sacramento.
The National Weather Service has warned people in affected regions not to travel because conditions are still “extremely dangerous.”
“If you must travel, take winter survival gear with you.” “If you become stranded, stay in your vehicle,” the service said.