Tonight, a powerful storm slamming our area,
bringing rain, strong wind,
and dangerous snow conditions.
Interstate 80 is shut down from
Applegate to the Nevada state
line due to whiteout conditions.
This rare Blizzard in the Sierra
is bringing heavy snowfall
that's impacting traffic,
stranding drivers and closing
down sections of major roadways.
It's so serious,
the National Weather Service issued
its first Blizzard warning for the
northern Sierra in more than two years.
And take a look at this map showing.
All the road closures and chain
control areas be extremely careful.
The snow is making for dangerous
driving conditions,
causing several spinouts and crashes.
CHP is urging you to take a slow
today or avoid driving if you can.
In the valley, it has been raining
most of the day, but the sun did
make an appearance this afternoon.
Just look at those.
I'm just looking. Clouds.
The morning commute was perhaps the
most challenging time with heavy rain.
Good evening.
We continue tracking the storm tonight.
I'm Chris Thomas.
I'm Laura painter.
Thank you for joining us.
We have live team coverage
tracking the storm,
our Kurt Riveras in Pine Grove
where the snow started just
below 2000 feet while Roxanne
Elias is in Placerville.
But we start tonight with chief
meteorologist Monica Woods tracking
the latest conditions across the area.
It is still going pretty good here.
Now we are seeing occasional
breaks with our radar.
You can see the big line of storms
that pass through the valley now
pressing its way off to the east,
still seeing a few isolated
thunderstorms embedded in there
and that's where we're going to
start off our coverage right here,
just off to the East.
In the valley towards Wallace
moving up towards Jackson,
a little bit higher up the
hill it turns to snow,
but again some periods of breaks in
there from the active weather that
we've been dealing with all day long.
As we head into the mother lode you
can see some snow around meat walk
village up along 8889 as well as 4120,
most of which are closed at this
point in the 8050 corridor.
It has been coming down hard at times,
Kirkwood, South Lake, Tahoe,
Palisades,
Tahoe all getting a lot of fresh powder
but also dangerous conditions continuing.
Throughout this year,
as you can see,
numerous watches and warnings
are still issued.
There's the Blizzard warning in
the red surrounding that is going
to be our winter storm warning.
We also have a winter weather advisory
over towards the coastal range,
so even some low elevation
snow over towards the coast.
As far as our hourly forecast,
temperatures staying relatively cool,
dropping into the 30s early tomorrow morning,
more rain and storms throughout the day.
Overnight tonight again we'll see
on and off heavy rain showers
for the morning commute.
We'll deal with the rain as well
as heading into our noontime.
Power in the snow for this year
and the foothills.
It keeps on going as this massive winter
storm hits much of the West Coast.
Heavy on and off rain.
Snow dangerous above 2000 feet.
We'll talk gusty winds again
for tomorrow guys.
Sounds good Monica.
We'll check back in shortly.
You know heading up Hwy.
50 towards Tahoe and Placerville.
The low snowfall has
been the big story today.
People living there say they have
not seen this much snow in years.
ABC 10s. Roxanne. Elias is live tonight.
And Roxanne it is beautiful but.
It is also making for dangerous conditions.
It is, Chris. We're right
in the heart of Placerville,
right off of Hwy. 50 here to
my side, and all throughout
the day it has been a pretty
steady snowfall since.
Some areas it's been sticking
and others not so much.
The site might look beautiful
out here and not so bad,
but drivers are being advised not
to come this way because of how
dangerous the conditions can get.
Heavy snow continues to wreak
havoc on drivers on Hwy. 50.
Dangerous Spinouts forced Caltrans
to hold traffic several times in both
directions at multiple locations.
Been seeing a lot of accidents,
that's for sure. People not
putting their chains on right,
people driving too fast, just not
being cautious of the circumstance.
The latest storm is keeping chain
installers like Steve Cliff very busy.
30 years and I got into it
because up here during the winter.
There wasn't a lot of work when
there was always 3 feet of snow
on the ground, so the opportunity
was there and I jumped at it.
Cliff says he understands why people want
to experience the snow, but his advice,
if you can, is to just stay home.
Personally, I would say don't come out
if you don't know how to drive in it.
If you do know how to drive in it,
chain up and go over there
because Caltrans keeps the road
pretty clear and they monitor it.
If it's if it's too dangerous,
they're they'll shut it down.
You don't see it very often.
But The thing is.
This is definitely the heat of the
storm right in this moment because
we haven't seen it turn this white
in Placerville in a long time.
Now we are getting word that Hwy.
50 is closed eastbound
going to a Pollock Pines.
It is closed in some other areas as well.
Right now the best thing for you to
do is to check that Caltrans website
to see if some of the areas are
closed before you leave your home.
Now if you do come up here,
you do have to have 4 wheel drive.
If not, you will have to put
chains on your vehicle that can
cost you anywhere from $40.
They are taking cash or other
forms of cash apps. Out
here first, Laura, back to you in studio.
I was gonna say be sure to also bring a
safety kit with blankets and water. Roxanne,
you be safe out there as well. Thank you.
Meanwhile, the snow was coming down
in bunches in the lower foothills.
ABC's Kurt Rivera has more from the
Amador County town of Pine Grove.
As the temperature dropped and the
snow came down, Cody Korton broke out
the shorts for the winter weather.
It's just an everyday thing no matter what.
Snow don't bother me none as
the snow began to pile up.
Caltrans was out in force with plows
to keep Hwy. 88 open and safe.
Yes, I know that snow is coming
down hard out there, isn't it?
At the Pine Grove market,
business was brisk as people came in
to stock up on food and more cat food.
Dog food. Our delis open, we're open 24/7.
There are some other stores
in town that are closed,
so we are open and available.
It was also a snow day for schools,
meaning a day off for high
school students like Connor.
Clinton and Maddie Nicholson.
I'm excited.
I mean it means more time off school for us.
I really like it because it
doesn't normally snow at my house.
I live a little bit lower so
this probably like the first
time I've seen snow in my house
and like at least a few years.
One business trying to make it here through
this snowstorm in Pine Grove as well.
This ice cream store behind me,
Brian Woodcock, is an ice cream maker
for Munnerlyn's Ice Creamery along Hwy.
88.
Despite the snow,
skiers and others still come
in for their top selling.
Kit Carson crunk a cross
between crunch and chunk.
It's a light coffee with a
chocolate covered almond coffee
and people just. And
by constantly for it. Bottom line,
school is out and the snow is in.
Cody Korton junior sums it up this way.
I mean, education is always
a big part of life, but.
Snowboarding is fun.
Dirt biking is fun.
It's about the balance right
as the snow piles up in Pine
Grove further up the road, Hwy.
88 is closed to eastbound traffic
at do drop in the pioneer area.
Caltrans urges drivers to
take an alternate route.
Many schools are closing
due to the severe weather.
You can visit our website abc10.com
for the full list of school closures.
Will also keep you posted on ABC
10 Morning News and download our
free ABC 10 app where you can get
the latest information on weather,
travel conditions and breaking news.
And also upload your photos and videos,
you just might see them on air.