Driving was forecast to be 'very difficult to impossible' in Tahoe this weekend, and meteorologists weren't wrong.
this weekend, and meteorologists weren't wrong: Four major routes in the area are closed as of 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
Storm surges are flooding roadways around the Tahoe Basin and beyond. Caltrans has closed Highway 50 from Ice House Road to Meyers and State Route 89 around Emerald Bay. South of Placerville, Highway 49 is closed from Sand Ridge Road to the Amador County line, and all cars on I-80 headed west from the Nevada state line are being held due to spinouts over Donner Summit. There is no estimated time of reopening for any of the roads.
In addition to severe road flooding, CHP is also dealing with multiple mudslides in El Dorado and Placer counties. A"Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding," the National Weather Service's Reno office cautions."Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads. Rock and mudslides near steeper terrain in the foothills should be expected.
Unless travel is absolutely necessary, it's best to stay home today. Traffic is snarled all around the lake; the drive from South Lake Tahoe to Homewood, which normally takes a little over an hour, is 1 hour and 45 minutes and climbing as of 10 a.m. Saturday. Rain is forecast to turn to snow by Saturday afternoon in the higher elevations, with snow falling everywhere in the region by this evening. The weather service anticipates"heavy snow" of 5 to 10 inches, with 1 to 2 feet at elevations above 7,000 feet. A winter storm warning is in effect until 4 a.m. Sunday.