TWIN BRIDGES, Calif. — A crippling winter storm has begun pummeling the Sierra as the snow and winds reduce visibility and create dangerous driving conditions.
The California Highway Patrol was even helping some drivers get over the pass. Earlier, they were cleaning up Interstate 80 after a solo big rig traffic collision, which forced all lanes of eastbound traffic near Donner Lake interchange to be closed for a few hours.
Conditions deteriorated into the night as the snowfall and winds picked up, causing a Blizzard Warning.
Due to the blizzard conditions, ski resorts like Sierra at Tahoe closed operations for Friday during the most intense wave of the storm.
Some people planned ahead and got over the pass before the conditions worsened, like a group of friends from Peru who are living in the Bay Area. They were seeing the snow for the first time.
However, the California Highway Patrol said the window for Sierra travel has closed.
"If you're one of those people who is not confident driving in the snow, you're not comfortable driving in the mountains, I really, really discourage you from driving up to Lake Tahoe this weekend," said Ruth Loehr, CHP spokesperson.
However, if people have to travel, they should make sure they have water, food, warm clothes and a blanket in case they get stranded.
When chain controls are in effect, the speed limit along Highway 50 is 25 miles per hour and on Interstate 80, it's 30 miles per hour. However, travel to the Sierra is highly discouraged amid the storm.
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