Sierra Nevada Communities Digging Out After Christmas Day Storm

Reno, NV — A Christmas Day storm is bringing snow and traffic delays to the Sierra Nevada.

Controls are in effect on two major highways linking Sacramento and Lake Tahoe: Interstate 80 over Donner Summit and U-S 50 over Echo Summit.

A winter storm warning remains in effect through 4:00 this afternoon at Lake Tahoe, where as much as two and a half feet of snow was expected from the storm at higher elevations.

The U-S Weather Service also is calling for a chance of snow tomorrow and Wednesday.

The storm that blew into the region yesterday is considered a mixed blessing by Sierra ski resorts.

While it should improve skiing conditions, it´s expected to keep some skiers and snowboarders home during one of resorts´ busiest weeks of the season.

Most Sierra ski resorts have offered only limited operations since a relatively dry start to the season.