CALIFORNIA, USA — For many drivers, the messages is clear: Avoid driving in the Sierra if you don't have to travel.
Extreme storm impacts continued into Monday evening and are expected into Tuesday for Northern California.
Heavy snow and gusty winds battered the Sierra. Blizzard conditions above 3,000 feet also prompted closures on major roadways.
Caltrans spokesperson Steve Nelson said people shouldn't expect Interstate 80 to open any time soon. Caltrans said anyone waiting on Highway 50 or I-80 should just turn around and reassess conditions in the morning.
The road conditions translated to disappointing news for some families looking for a winter getaway.
"We thought we’d get ahead of the storm, so we could just enjoy the snow. But we didn’t make it. We didn’t make it before the roads closed," said Shawna Worley.
They were some of the many people turned away by crews who only allowed people who lived nearby through the area. Even then, those people had to show ID and that they had the proper equipment to get through.
Snow is expected to continue dumping in the Sierra through the overnight hours and whiteout conditions will persist until Wednesday.
The National Weather Service said mountain travel through Tuesday night is considered extremely dangerous to impossible.
Interstate 80 Road Conditions
Caltrans closed I-80 from Applegate in Placer County to the Nevada State Line due to zero visibility conditions.
Steve Nelson, spokesperson for Caltrans, said the interstate will remain closed through the night.
Highway 50 Road Conditions
Caltrans has closed Highway 50 to all eastbound traffic in Pollock Pines and westbound Meyers in El Dorado County due to avalanche control at Echo Summit and spinouts.
Nelson said there's a possibility that Highway 50 could reopen, but there are no guarantees.
Maps
For traffic, view the Waze map below for live updates.
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