A major storm over Christmas weekend covered the mountains with snow and caused road closures in northern California and Nevada, while forecasters warned that traveling in the Sierra Nevada could be difficult for several days.
A 70-mile (112-kilometer) stretch of Interstate 80 was closed Sunday from Colfax, California, through the Lake Tahoe region to the Nevada state line. The California Department of Transportation also closed other mountain routes while warning of poor visibility and slippery conditions for drivers.
“Large travel delays are expected on all highways,” the National Weather Service office in Reno, Nevada, said on Twitter. “Today is the kind of day to stay at home, if possible. And more snow is coming! ”.
The weather service issued a winter storm warning for the Lake Tahoe metropolitan area until 1 am Tuesday due to possible “widespread bleaching conditions” and wind gusts that could exceed 72 kilometers per hour (45 miles).
The latest in a series of violent storms hit Southern California with heavy rain and wind that flooded streets and downed power lines Saturday night. Powerful blasts downed trees, damaged garages and blew up a Goleta high school track and field shed, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. No injuries were reported.
More than 4.5 centimeters (1.8 inches) of rain fell over 24 hours at the San Marcos Pass in Santa Barbara County, while Rocky Butte in San Luis Obispo County recorded 4 cm (1.61 inches) the weather service said.
Los Angeles International Airport reported that an “electrical problem related to the storm” forced a partial closure of Terminal 5, causing passengers to divert to other terminals for certain services.
“Cancellations and delays are possible, so it will be important to check the status of your flight today if you are flying from Terminal 5,” the airport tweeted.