Spring Storm Brings Snow And Rain To Mother Lode

Tulips, daffodils and California Poppies were shivering under a blanket of wet snow in many parts of northern and central California this morning as drivers in the Sierra foothills cope with winter driving conditions.

Chains or snow tires were required on all mountain roadways this morning including Highway 108, Highway 4 in Calaveras County, Interstate 80 over Donner Summit, and U-S 50 over Echo Summit.

Chains controls were in effect very early this morning on Highway 108 in Tuolumne County as low as Standard Road. As the morning progressed, the chain requirements were pushed further up the hill.

At 12:30 p.m., Caltrans reported chains were still required at Strawberry.

Highway 4 was open with no restriction all the way to the winter closure spot at the Mt. Reba turnoff.

Arnold reported about 6 inches of snow this morning.

The spring storm dumped nearly 20-inches of snow overnight at the higher elevations of Lake Tahoe.

As temperatures rose, much of the lower elevation snow turned to slush as it melted.

We can expect scattered showers throughout the afternoon in the Mother Lode, with the snow level hovering around the 3,000-foot level.