Multiple Sierra highways face chain controls, truck restrictions and closures as snow creates dangerous travel conditions across the region.

CALIFORNIA, USA — A winter storm that arrived Sunday afternoon and is expected to continue through Thursday morning is significantly impacting Northern California. 

Authorities have said to postpone or delay travel if possible, and Wednesday morning saw roads reopening, chain controls and power outages.


Interstate 80 traffic held, chain controls

Westbound I-80 is closed to all tractor-semitrailer combinations at the Nevada State Line due to snow and traction concerns. Westbound traffic is also being held at the state line because of multiple spinouts.

Chains are required westbound from the Nevada State Line to Applegate in Placer County. Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels.

Eastbound, chains are required from Applegate to the Nevada State Line, with the same exception for 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels.

Eastbound trucks are being screened at Applegate and must have maximum chains in their possession to proceed. Permit loads are prohibited.

All westbound trucks are required to stop at the brake check area about half a mile west of Nyack in Placer County to reduce the risk of brake fires.


Highway 50 chain controls

Chains are required on all vehicles except 4-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels from three miles east of Placerville to Meyers in El Dorado County.

Related: Rain-soaked roads lead to multiple crashes in Sacramento area


Highway 4 closed in Calaveras County

As of around 3:50 p.m. Tuesday, eastbound Highway 4 is closed at Mill Creek in Calaveras County due to heavy snow, per Caltrans. There was no estimated time of reopening.


Highway 88 closed

As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, Highway 88 is closed at Carson Spur in Amador County for snow removal operations, Caltrans said.


Highway 89 closed due to unstable snow

As of 5 p.m., Highway 89 around Emerald Bay in El Dorado County is closed in both directions due to unstable snow, according to Caltrans.

“Crews will need clear conditions to reopen it, and there is another storm expected early next week, so it could be an extended closure,” Caltrans officials wrote in a social media post.


Avalanche warning

Eight backcountry skiers died, and one remains missing after an avalanche on Tuesday, according to the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office. Six survivors from the group of 15 backcountry skiers have been located and rescued.

Tuesday’s avalanche is the deadliest skiing avalanche in modern U.S. history, per the sheriff’s office.

An avalanche warning is in effect until 5 a.m. Thursday, per the Sierra Avalanche Center.

The danger is high, officials said.


PG&E outages

Outage counts remain steady, and as officials restore power, fresh outages are occurring, according to PG&E spokesman Paul Moreno.

More out-of-area crews are arriving to help local crews with restoration, Moreno said. PG&E will reportedly fly helicopters to patrol remote circuits as weather permits and use SnoCats to reach snowed-in areas.

As of 6 p.m. Wednesday, here are the current outage numbers by county:

Calaveras: 8,979Tuolumne: 7,114El Dorado: 6,135Amador: 3,450Nevada: 1,521Placer: 385Sierra: 501


Yosemite National Park travel

Park officials said most of Yosemite Valley is receiving snow, which has affected visitor travel.

All campgrounds and Curry Village are closed through at least Thursday night due to high winds and snow, according to park officials.

Big Oak Flat Road was temporarily closed as of 3 p.m. Tuesday.

The pedestrian route to the Horsetail Fall viewing area has been closed, officials said, because cloudy conditions will reduce visibility. 

Park officials advise visitors to carry tire chains and be prepared for delays and road closures.  


School Closures

Pollock Pines Elementary School District and Silver Fork Elementary School District announced its schools will be closed through Friday, Feb. 20 due to the incoming storm, extensive power outages and hazardous conditions. 

Schools are expected to reopen on Monday, Feb. 23. 

Camino Union School District, Pioneer Union School District, Gold Oak Union School District, Union Mine High School and Independence High School will be closed on Thursday, Feb. 19. 

Calaveras Unified School District announced there will be no school on Thursday, Feb. 19 for West Point Elementary and Mokelumne Hill Elementary. 

WATCH MORE: Valley wind & rain, Sierra and low elevation snow Thursday before the storm ends

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