Latest Storm Dumps More Snow

Thousands of holiday travelers are facing slow going over the Sierra Nevada after another potent storm dumped up to 2 feet of snow.

Motorists face mandatory chain controls on all three major trans-Sierra highways: Interstate 80 over Donner Summit, U.S. 50 over Echo Summit and Highway 88 over Carson Pass. The California Highway Patrol says I-80 was closed during much of the storm because of poor visibility and numerous minor accidents.

The CHP says the interstate shut down late yesterday afternoon and finally reopened for good at about 4 this morning. All westbound truck rigs on I-80 are being held near Reno due to congestion in the Sierra.

Portions of Highway 50 were closed early this morning for avalanche control activities. Highway 88 over the Carson Spur near Kirkwood also is closed for the same reason.

The Nevada Highway Patrol says 20 weather-related accidents kept troopers busy in the Reno area. No major injuries were reported.

Many of the travelers were skiers and snowboarders trying to take advantage of prime snow conditions at Lake Tahoe resorts.

The Christmas holiday period traditionally is one of the busiest of the season for the resorts.

Nicole Belt of Sierra At Tahoe says her resort has been busy and the storms haven’t stopped skiers and snowboarders from heading up to Tahoe.