Northern California rain and snow updates: Sierra roads remain slick amid wet weather
UP. GOOD FRIDAY MORNING TO YOU AND THANKS FOR BEING WITH US. I’M MELANIE WINGO. WE HAVE A REALLY BUSY DAY OUT THERE IN THE THE SIERRA AND ALSO IN THE VALLEY. WE MADE IT TO THE END OF THE WORKWEEK. AND SO WITH MORE ON THE UNSETTLED DAY, WE’RE TRACKING ALL OF THE THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF. WE HAVE OUR TEAM ACROSS THE REGION. ERIN HEFT IS ON I-80 IN THE SIERRA. MIKE TESELLE IS ON HIGHWAY 50, AND OUR TRAFFIC EXPERT, BRIAN HICKEY IS OUT OF THE STUDIO AND IN LIVE TRACKER THREE WITH MORE ON ALL THINGS FROM THE ROADWAYS. LET’S GET STRAIGHT OVER NOW THOUGH, TO TAMARA BERG WHO IS BREAKING IT ALL DOWN FOR US? YEAH, AND STILL A LITTLE UNSETTLED. AT LEAST THE FRONT HALF OF YOUR FRIDAY IS GOING TO LOOK AND FEEL THAT WAY. A LIVE LOOK OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW AS I TAKE YOU ACROSS RANCHO CORDOVA. SCATTERED CLOUDS. AND FOR FOLKS TRAVELING THAT 50 STRETCH. NO MAJOR ISSUES IN TERMS OF ANY IMPACTFUL WEATHER, BUT A FEW SHOWERS ARE POSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY DURING THE MORNING. SO I’VE GOT SCATTERED SHOWERS IN THE MIX FOR THE START OF THE DAY. SIERRA SNOW CONTINUES THROUGH MUCH OF THE DAY AHEAD, AND THOSE WINDS HAVE BEEN OCCASIONALLY GUSTY IN THE MOUNTAINS. 28 DEGREES IS WHERE WE’RE AT IN TRUCKEE. CURRENTLY 30 IN SOUTH LAKE, GET DOWN THE HILL TO 37. IN PLACERVILLE, 43 IN AUBURN, 46. CHECKING IN WITH SACRAMENTO. TOP OF THE 7:00 HOUR. IT’S AT 50 IN STOCKTON. LET ME SHOW YOU THE ACTIVITY ON THE RADAR SWEEP. AND MOST OF IT AGAIN, YOU CAN SEE YOUR EYE KIND OF CATCHES YOU LOOKING OVER THE SIERRA BEEN WATCHING THESE SNOW BANDS TRANSCEND FROM DONNER SUMMIT AND AROUND ECHO SUMMIT, AND THEN YOU CAN SEE THE SNOW IS MORE BROKEN APART AS YOU GO ALONG THE 50 STRETCH. AND HERE’S A CLOSER VIEW OF THAT SNOW LINE. NOW MIKE TESELLE IS STANDING IN POLLOCK PINES RIGHT NOW, AND I WOULD EXPECT THAT MAYBE SOME OF THOSE BANDS OF RAIN HE’S BEEN REPORTING FOR MOST OF THE MORNING, STARTING TO TURN OVER, MAYBE EVENTUALLY TO A RAIN SNOW MIX HERE WITHIN THIS HOUR FOR THE DAY AHEAD AGAIN. FRONT HALF OF THE DAY, BOTH IN THE VALLEY AND THE FOOTHILLS. A LITTLE UNSETTLED WITH CHANCES FOR SHOWERS. BY THE AFTERNOON, THOUGH. SUNSHINE AND MID 50S IN THE VALLEY. LOW 50S IN THE FOOTHILLS. SNOW AND WIND CONDITIONS EXPECTED THROUGHOUT THE DAY TODAY IN THE SIERRA. SO IF YOU HAVE ANY SIERRA TRAVEL PLANS, MAKE SURE YOU DOUBLE AND TRIPLE CHECK IF YOU NEED THE CHAINS AND PREPARE FOR THOSE WINTER LIKE CONDITIONS. FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE ROAD CONDITIONS RIGHT NOW, LET’S BRING IN BRIAN HICKEY, WHO JOINS US FROM LIVE TRACKER THREE. BRIAN, WHERE ARE YOU AT? HEY, TIM, RIGHT NOW WE’RE ON WALNUT GROVE ROAD. WE ARE HEADING BACK TOWARDS I-5. HERE’S A LOOK OUT THE WINDSHIELD OF LIVE TRACKER THREE. WE JUST LEFT THE SCENE WHERE A VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD AT WALNUT GROVE ROAD AND RIGHT OFF OF RACETRACK ROAD. AND SO THEY ARE WORKING RIGHT NOW TO CLEAR THAT VEHICLE FROM THE SCENE. HERE’S A LOOK AT THE MAP OF WHERE THAT’S ALL GOING ON. AGAIN, JUST OFF OF WALNUT GROVE ROAD RIGHT AT THE GEORGIANA SLOUGH. CHP SAYING THE DRIVER IS SUSPECTED OF BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE WHEN THEY DROVE OFF THE ROAD THERE AT RACETRACK ROAD. AS FAR AS I-5. AND 99 ARE CONCERNED, THOUGH NO DELAYS FROM STOCKTON ALL THE WAY INTO SACRAMENTO. YOU CAN SEE A MAP FULL OF GREEN HERE AS YOU’RE MAKING YOUR WAY ON THAT NORTHBOUND RIDE, AND THAT CONTINUES ALL THE WAY THROUGH SACRAMENTO AND OUT TOWARDS THE AIRPORT, COMING IN WESTBOUND INTERSTATE 80. THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE AT ANTELOPE ROAD. WE ARE STARTING TO SEE SOME INCREASED TRAFFIC, BUT IT’S A FRIDAY AND SO FAR NO DELAYS ALONG INTERSTATE 80. AND ALSO HIGHWAY 50 COMING IN FROM THE FOLSOM AREA ON THAT WESTBOUND SIDE. EASTBOUND, THERE’S A VEHICLE THAT WENT OFF THE ROAD AT HAZEL, AND THAT DOESN’T APPEAR TO BE CAUSING ANY DELAYS ON HIGHWAY 50. SO SO FAR, A QUIET RIDE AROUND SACRAMENTO HERE IN LIVE TRACKER THREE. AGAIN, WE’RE ON WALNUT GROVE ROAD HEADING BACK TOWARDS SACRAMENTO. WE’LL KEEP YOU UPDATED ON THAT DRIVE IN LIVE TRACKER THREE ON BRIAN HICKEY. BACK TO YOU. SOUNDS GREAT BRIAN. THANKS. WE’LL CHECK BACK WITH YOU IN A BIT. WE’RE ALSO TRACKING CONDITIONS ALONG INTERSTATE 80. LET’S GET NOW TO ERIN HEFT, WHO IS IN THE I-80 AREA. OKAY. ERIN, WHERE ARE YOU AND WHAT ARE YOU SEEING OUT THERE? I’M BEING TOLD THAT ERIN IS NOT THERE AT THE MOMENT, BUT WE ARE TRACKING CONDITIONS ALONG HIGHWAY 50 AS WELL, AND WE KNOW THAT MIKE TESELLE IS OUT THERE. MIKE, WHERE ARE YOU AND WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS LIKE THERE? YEAH, YOU CAUGHT US OFF GUARD THERE FOR A SECOND, MELANIE. WE’RE LIVE IN THE SAFEWAY PARKING LOT HERE AT POLLOCK PINES. IF YOU’RE FAMILIAR WITH THIS SPOT, YOU KNOW THAT WE’RE JUST BELOW THE 4000 FOOT ELEVATION LEVEL. WE’VE BEEN WATCHING THE RAIN HERE. IT IS SO CLOSE TO TURNING OVER TO SNOW. IN FACT, A COUPLE OF SNOWFLAKES MIXED IN WITH THIS RAIN. BUT FOR THE MOST PART JUST WET OUT THERE. AND THAT MEANS ROAD CONDITIONS. GETTING UP TO HERE TO POLLOCK PINES OR LEAVING POLLOCK PINES JUST IN THE RAIN THIS MORNING AND A LITTLE BIT OF FOG. NO SNOW HERE, BUT THERE IS CHAIN CONTROLS. THE FURTHER YOU GO UP TOWARDS ECHO SUMMIT, GOING INTO OR COMING OUT OF SOUTH LAKE TAHOE AND LIKELY TO REMAIN THAT WAY, WE’LL HEAD UP THE ROAD JUST A BIT TO GO SEE WHERE THAT SNOW LINE IS, AND WE’LL CHECK BACK WITH YOU HERE A LITTLE BIT LATER IN THE 7:00 HOUR. LIVE IN POLLOCK PINES MIKE TESELLE KCRA THREE NEWS. OKAY. THANKS, MIKE. AND ALL THIS NEW SNOW MEANS THE CHP IS EXPECTING A LOT OF PEOPLE TO HEAD UP TO THE MOUNTAINS FOR A WEEKEND OF SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING, SO OFFICERS ARE REMINDING PEOPLE TO PLAN AHEAD. YOU CAN UTILIZE THE BUSSES, MAKE SURE YOU’RE LOOKING AT THEIR SCHEDULES, MAKE SURE TO DO YOUR RESERVATIONS ONLINE FOR THE PALISADES PARKING ISSUES. NORTH STAR AS WELL. THEY HAVE RESERVED PARKING AS WELL. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL THOSE IN PLACE AND THEY’LL MITIGATE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WHEN YOU GET UP HERE. AND THE CHP SAYS SUPER BOWL WEEKEND IS ACTUALLY A REALLY BUSY TIME AT THOSE MOUNTAIN RESORTS. AND THE RAIN THAT WE SAW HAS BEEN CAUSING SOME WATER LEVELS TO RUN HIGH. DISCOVERY PARK IN SACRAMENTO IS BUILT TO FLOOD. THE PARK IS PART OF A FLOODPLAIN FOR THE SACRAMENTO AND LOWER AMERICAN RIVERS. IT’S CLOSED RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WATER MANAGERS EXPECTED THIS. WHEN WATER IS RELEASED FROM THE FOLSOM DAM, THE AMERICAN RIVER RISES AND WHEN DAMS AT LAKE SHASTA AND OROVILLE OPEN UP THE SACRAMENTO RIVER EVENTUALLY RISES. THE DISCOVERY PARK LIES RIGHT AT THE CONFLUENCE OF BOTH AND THE SACRAMENTO RIVER IS HIGH ENOUGH FOR WATER TO SPILL ONTO THE YOLO BYPASS. THIS IS THE SACRAMENTO WEIR YOU’RE SEEING RIGHT HERE, AND IT’S ON THE WEST SACRAMENTO SIDE OF THE RIVER. IT’S NOT OPEN RIGHT NOW, BUT YOU CAN SEE THE WATER FLOWING THROUGH THOSE WOODEN BARRIERS. THIS IS ALL NORMAL ACCORDING TO WATER MANAGERS, IF THE WATER WAS TO GET ANY HIGHER, THOSE WOODEN BARRIERS COULD BE REMOVED, ALLOWING MORE WATER TO FLOW INTO THE BYPASS. IN OTHER PARTS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, FLOODING IS PROMPTING EVACUATIONS. SUTTER COUNTY SAYS EVACUATION ORDERS ARE IN PLACE ALONG THE SACRAMENTO RIVER. THERE ARE ROAD CLOSURES AND FLOODED FIELDS IN THIS PART OF THE AREA. THIS IS VIDEO OF FLOODING AT LEVY’S LANDING RV PARK, WHERE HIGH WATER IS NOT UNCOMMON DURING BIGGER STORM EVENTS, AND ALSO COLUSA LANDING RESTAURANT IN MERIDIAN, WHICH IS SURROUNDED BY THE SACRAMENTO RIVER. ONE YEAR IT WAS WORSE THAN THIS, BUT THIS IS AS BAD AS IT’S BEEN FOR A WHILE. YOU KNOW, USUALLY IT’S JUST THE GRASS AREA ON THIS SIDE WILL FLOOD. MAYBE A COUPLE OF THESE STALLS HERE, BUT ON MY END, YOU KNOW, IT’S NOT USUAL THAT I’M FLOODED OUT. THE SUTTER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE NOTIFIED RESIDENTS AT THE RV PARK LAST WEEK OF THE POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING. THIS WEEK, RESIDENTS COULD TEMPORARILY MOVE TO THE YUBA SUTTER FAIRGROUNDS WITH VOUCHERS FROM THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE. AND WE’RE ALSO TRACKING CONDITIONS ALONG INTERSTATE 80. AS WE MENTIONED. AND NOW WE’RE GOING TO CHECK IN WITH ERIN HEFT, WHO IS ALONG I-80. OKAY, ERIN, GIVE US YOUR LOCATION, ELEVATION, ALL THAT GOOD STUFF. WHAT’S GOING ON THERE? YEAH, MELANIE, WE’RE AT 5200FT RIGHT NOW, AND WE’RE IN NYACK, AND IT IS COMING DOWN NOT TERRIBLY AT THIS POINT, BUT IT WAS A FEW HOURS AGO. TAKE A LOOK SO YOU CAN SEE CALTRANS BLOCKING ONE OF THE ONRAMPS THERE. THAT’S BECAUSE THIS IS A DEEPLY CHAIN CONTROLLED AREA. AND THE GROUND IS WHY IT’S REALLY TRACTION ISSUES IN THIS NYACK AREA. IT CHANGES A LOT FROM 4000 4000FT TO 5200FT. AND IF WE PAN OVER TO THE LEFT, YOU CAN SEE JUST QUITE A FEW SEMI TRUCKS WAITING IT OUT. SOME THAT MADE IT UP TO NYACK, BUT A LOT ARE LINING I-80. THIS IS BOTH WESTBOUND AND EASTBOUND. BE AWARE IT’S UNDER 30 DEGREES. IT’S QUITE BITTER THOUGH. IT’S NOT COMING DOWN TERRIBLY RIGHT NOW. BUT THIS IS A WET SNOW. IT’S NOT ACCUMULATING ON YOUR JACKET. YOU’RE JUST GETTING MORE WET. THE MORE YOU STAND OUT HERE. WE’LL HAVE A LIVE UPDATE ON CONDITIONS IN THE NEXT 30 MINUTES. UNTIL THEN, BACK TO YOU, MELANIE. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, AARON, FOR THAT UPDATE. AND YOU CAN TRACK WEATHER UPDATES WHERE YOU LIVE WITH THE KCRA 3 APP. WE HAVE AN INTERACTIVE RADAR ON THERE WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE EXPECTED IMPACT TO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. JUST BE SURE YOU TURN
Northern California rain and snow updates: Sierra roads remain slick amid wet weather
Updated: 7:31 AM PST Feb 7, 2025
Snow continues to fall in the Sierra on Friday.The KCRA 3 weather team issued an Impact Day for the Sierra because of how snow and wind could affect outdoor activities and travel.Find Friday’s full forecast here. Track Doppler radar and see our live traffic maps here.See the latest chain control updates from Caltrans here.When Sierra chain controls are in effect, the speed limit on Interstate 80 is 30 mph. Along Highway 50, it is 25 mph.See more updates on California storm impacts below. FRIDAY5:30 a.m.: The Department of Transportation is reporting that westbound traffic on I-80 at Stateline is now moving. 5:13 a.m.: Westbound traffic on I-80 is being held at the Nevada State Line due to snow.THURSDAY 10:09 p.m.: Reporter Andres Valle was driving through the Sierra, where traffic was moving smoothly with no chain controls. Valle said he saw mainly rain with some snow, which made for some slushy conditions on Interstate 80.9:41 p.m.: Chain controls are not in effect on I-80, but Meteorologist Heather Waldman said that is expected to change.For now, drivers are urged to have maximum chains in their possession if they intend to drive in the Sierra.5:51 p.m.: Some roadways and highways are closed due to flooding. In Glenn County, State Route 162 is closed from the State Route 45 junction near Butte City to Aguas Frias Road. 5:47 p.m.: Chain controls are again in effect on Interstate 80. For eastbound travelers, chains are required from Kingvale to Truckee. For drivers traveling westbound, chains are required from the Donner Lake Interchange to 4.7 miles west of Kingvale.5:30 p.m.: Reporter Michelle Bandur was in Sutter County, where residents of an RV park were urged to evacuate due to the rising Sacramento River. In addition to the wet weather, the area is also affected by the California Department of Water Resources releasing water from the Shasta Dam.Read more here.4:50 p.m.: Heather Waldman gives an update on what peak wind gusts to expect tonight. 4:44 p.m.: Sierra chain controls have been dropped for now on I-80 and Highway 50. 2:44 p.m.: Westbound Interstate 80 was reopened hours after spinouts forced road officials to hold traffic.1:04 p.m.: The Yuba County Office of Emergency Services said the Star Bend Boat Ramp is closed at the levee entrance due to high waters.10:27 a.m.: Caltrans is holding traffic on westbound Interstate 80 at the California-Nevada state line due to heavy snow and spinouts. There is no estimated time for releasing traffic.10:10 a.m.: Here is an update on road conditions in the Sierra. I-80 Eastbound: Chains are required on all vehicles except four-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels on from Nyack to Truckee.I-80 Westbound: Traffic is reduced to one late at about 1.5 miles west of the Donner Lake Interchange because of a big rig fire. Learn more here. Highway 50: Chains are required on all vehicles except four-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels from Twin Bridges to Meyers. Highway 88: Chains are required on all vehicles except four-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels from 4 miles east of Ham’s Station to 1 mile west of Woodfords. REAL-TIME TRAFFIC MAPClick here to see our interactive traffic map.TRACK INTERACTIVE, DOPPLER RADARClick here to see our interactive radar.DOWNLOAD OUR APP FOR THE LATESTHere is where you can download our app.Follow our KCRA weather team on social mediaMeteorologist Tamara Berg on Facebook and X.Meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn on FacebookMeteorologist/Climate Reporter Heather Waldman on Facebook and X.Meteorologist Kelly Curran on X.Watch our forecasts on TV or onlineHere’s where to find our latest video forecast. You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here. The banner on our website turns red when we’re live.We’re also streaming on the Very Local app for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
Snow continues to fall in the Sierra on Friday.
The KCRA 3 weather team issued an Impact Day for the Sierra because of how snow and wind could affect outdoor activities and travel.
When Sierra chain controls are in effect, the speed limit on Interstate 80 is 30 mph. Along Highway 50, it is 25 mph.
See more updates on California storm impacts below.
FRIDAY
5:30 a.m.: The Department of Transportation is reporting that westbound traffic on I-80 at Stateline is now moving.
5:13 a.m.: Westbound traffic on I-80 is being held at the Nevada State Line due to snow.
THURSDAY
10:09 p.m.: Reporter Andres Valle was driving through the Sierra, where traffic was moving smoothly with no chain controls.
Valle said he saw mainly rain with some snow, which made for some slushy conditions on Interstate 80.
9:41 p.m.: Chain controls are not in effect on I-80, but Meteorologist Heather Waldman said that is expected to change.
For now, drivers are urged to have maximum chains in their possession if they intend to drive in the Sierra.
5:51 p.m.: Some roadways and highways are closed due to flooding. In Glenn County, State Route 162 is closed from the State Route 45 junction near Butte City to Aguas Frias Road.
5:47 p.m.: Chain controls are again in effect on Interstate 80.
For eastbound travelers, chains are required from Kingvale to Truckee. For drivers traveling westbound, chains are required from the Donner Lake Interchange to 4.7 miles west of Kingvale.
5:30 p.m.: Reporter Michelle Bandur was in Sutter County, where residents of an RV park were urged to evacuate due to the rising Sacramento River.
In addition to the wet weather, the area is also affected by the California Department of Water Resources releasing water from the Shasta Dam.
Read more here.
4:50 p.m.: Heather Waldman gives an update on what peak wind gusts to expect tonight.
4:44 p.m.: Sierra chain controls have been dropped for now on I-80 and Highway 50.
2:44 p.m.: Westbound Interstate 80 was reopened hours after spinouts forced road officials to hold traffic.
1:04 p.m.: The Yuba County Office of Emergency Services said the Star Bend Boat Ramp is closed at the levee entrance due to high waters.
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10:27 a.m.: Caltrans is holding traffic on westbound Interstate 80 at the California-Nevada state line due to heavy snow and spinouts. There is no estimated time for releasing traffic.
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10:10 a.m.: Here is an update on road conditions in the Sierra.
I-80 Eastbound: Chains are required on all vehicles except four-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels on from Nyack to Truckee.
I-80 Westbound: Traffic is reduced to one late at about 1.5 miles west of the Donner Lake Interchange because of a big rig fire. Learn more here.
Highway 50: Chains are required on all vehicles except four-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels from Twin Bridges to Meyers.
Highway 88: Chains are required on all vehicles except four-wheel-drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels from 4 miles east of Ham’s Station to 1 mile west of Woodfords.
REAL-TIME TRAFFIC MAP
Click here to see our interactive traffic map.
TRACK INTERACTIVE, DOPPLER RADAR
Click here to see our interactive radar.
DOWNLOAD OUR APP FOR THE LATEST
Here is where you can download our app.
Follow our KCRA weather team on social media
- Meteorologist Tamara Berg on Facebook and X.
- Meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn on Facebook
- Meteorologist/Climate Reporter Heather Waldman on Facebook and X.
- Meteorologist Kelly Curran on X.
Watch our forecasts on TV or online
Here’s where to find our latest video forecast. You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here. The banner on our website turns red when we’re live.
We’re also streaming on the Very Local app for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel