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"slug": "treacherous-sierra-nevada-storm-delays-recovery-of-9-presumed-avalanche-victims",
"title": "6 Women Killed in Tahoe Avalanche Identified, Recovery Still Delayed by ‘Treacherous’ Conditions",
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"content": "\u003cp>Six women who were killed in this week’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12073690/8-skiers-confirmed-dead-1-still-missing-after-tahoe-avalanche-heres-what-we-know\">avalanche in the Sierra Nevada\u003c/a> were identified as close friends and skilled skiers from the Bay Area, Truckee region and Idaho, according to a statement Thursday from their families.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We are devastated beyond words,” read the statement, released by a spokesperson for the families. “Our focus right now is supporting our children through this incredible tragedy and honoring the lives of these extraordinary women. They were all mothers, wives and friends, all of whom connected through the love of the outdoors.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The women were identified as Carrie Atkin, Liz Clabaugh, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, Caroline Sekar and Kate Vitt.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Authorities have confirmed eight deaths in what has become the deadliest avalanche in modern California history, and a ninth person who is missing is presumed dead. Six others, who were part of a three-day backcountry skiing group staying at the Frog Lake huts near Castle Peak, were rescued amid extreme weather conditions Tuesday night.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Due to hazardous winter storm conditions, it will be at least another day before crews can attempt to recover the bodies of those who were killed, California authorities said Thursday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With around a foot of snow expected to fall in high elevations around Lake Tahoe by Thursday night, and avalanche warning still in effect through Friday morning, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that the recovery of the avalanche victims is likely “to carry into the weekend.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12073957\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12073957\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SierraAvalanche1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SierraAvalanche1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SierraAvalanche1-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SierraAvalanche1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sierra Avalanche Center forecasters observe a crack in the snow on Feb. 17, 2026. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Nolan Averbuch)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Due to hazardous weather conditions, avalanche victims cannot be safely extracted off the mountain today,” the statement said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Sugar Bowl Academy, an elite ski club in Placer County, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sbacademy.org/media-statements\">confirmed\u003c/a> in a statement that some of its community members are among those who were caught in the avalanche.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health \u003ca href=\"https://www.capradio.org/articles/2026/02/18/castle-peak-avalanche-what-we-know-so-far/\">confirmed to CapRadio\u003c/a> on Thursday that it has launched an investigation into Blackbird Mountain Guides, the Truckee-based guiding company involved in the incident. In a statement, Cal/OSHA said that “the agency has up to six months to complete an investigation and issue citations if violations of workplace safety regulations are identified.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On Wednesday night, Blackbird said in a statement that the group’s four guides were trained or certified in backcountry skiing by the American Mountain Guides Association and are instructors with the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education.[aside postID=news_12073690 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/CaliforniaAvalancheAP1.jpg']“In addition, guides in the field are in communication with senior guides at our base, to discuss conditions and routing based upon conditions,” founder Zeb Blais said. “There is still a lot that we’re learning about what happened.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>KQED has reached out to Blackbird for comment on the Cal/OSHA investigation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said during a Wednesday \u003ca href=\"https://fb.watch/Fnjpz8dZTL/\">press conference\u003c/a> that rescuers had to ski in two miles to locate the surviving members of the group during “extreme conditions.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now, the avalanche area, which was the size of a football field, according to Sheriff’s Capt. Rusty Greene has been “reloaded” with snow.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While that risks reburying the victims, it’s also a major risk to the recovery team, Greene said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The longer that we continue to have people out there and exposed, the higher chance we put our rescuers in danger,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Though Friday’s \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=CAZ072\">forecast \u003c/a>shows the storm subsiding\u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=CAZ072\">,\u003c/a> Sierra Avalanche Center executive director David Reichel said the threat to the Tahoe area remains.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12073961\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12073961\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SierraAvalanche2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SierraAvalanche2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SierraAvalanche2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SierraAvalanche2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Motorists stuck in the snow are aided by a member of the California Highway Patrol along Interstate 80 during a storm on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, near Camp Spaulding in Placer County, California. \u003ccite>(Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP Photo)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Most avalanche accidents actually occur on ‘considerable’ or ‘moderate’ days,” he said, referring to the center’s rating system. “The avalanche danger could decrease, and also still be dangerous.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Reichel said it’s important that anyone considering going into the backcountry check the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/forecasts/avalanche/central-sierra-nevada#/central-sierra-nevada/\">avalanche report\u003c/a> and adjust their plans accordingly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Read more: \u003c/strong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12073690/8-skiers-confirmed-dead-1-still-missing-after-tahoe-avalanche-heres-what-we-know\">\u003cstrong>Learn how to prepare for avalanches and what to do if you’re caught in one.\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>“I’m a little bit nervous with this weekend and the potential for blue skies and lots of people, understandably, wanting to enjoy new snow,” he said. “We still need to make good decisions.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo went one step further at Wednesday’s press conference, warning visitors to “avoid the Sierras during this current storm and in the upcoming days,” he said. During Tuesday’s rescue attempt, some emergency responders were pulled away from the search due to other reports of skiers in need.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Avoid mountain travel — it’s treacherous,” he said. “Avoid the backcountry.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/eromero\">\u003cem>Ezra David Romero\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "The women were close friends and skilled skiers from the Bay Area, Truckee region and Idaho, their families said. Meanwhile, California officials warned of high avalanche risks in the coming days. ",
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"title": "6 Women Killed in Tahoe Avalanche Identified, Recovery Still Delayed by ‘Treacherous’ Conditions | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Six women who were killed in this week’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12073690/8-skiers-confirmed-dead-1-still-missing-after-tahoe-avalanche-heres-what-we-know\">avalanche in the Sierra Nevada\u003c/a> were identified as close friends and skilled skiers from the Bay Area, Truckee region and Idaho, according to a statement Thursday from their families.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We are devastated beyond words,” read the statement, released by a spokesperson for the families. “Our focus right now is supporting our children through this incredible tragedy and honoring the lives of these extraordinary women. They were all mothers, wives and friends, all of whom connected through the love of the outdoors.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The women were identified as Carrie Atkin, Liz Clabaugh, Danielle Keatley, Kate Morse, Caroline Sekar and Kate Vitt.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Authorities have confirmed eight deaths in what has become the deadliest avalanche in modern California history, and a ninth person who is missing is presumed dead. Six others, who were part of a three-day backcountry skiing group staying at the Frog Lake huts near Castle Peak, were rescued amid extreme weather conditions Tuesday night.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Due to hazardous winter storm conditions, it will be at least another day before crews can attempt to recover the bodies of those who were killed, California authorities said Thursday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With around a foot of snow expected to fall in high elevations around Lake Tahoe by Thursday night, and avalanche warning still in effect through Friday morning, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that the recovery of the avalanche victims is likely “to carry into the weekend.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12073957\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12073957\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SierraAvalanche1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SierraAvalanche1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SierraAvalanche1-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SierraAvalanche1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sierra Avalanche Center forecasters observe a crack in the snow on Feb. 17, 2026. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Nolan Averbuch)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Due to hazardous weather conditions, avalanche victims cannot be safely extracted off the mountain today,” the statement said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Sugar Bowl Academy, an elite ski club in Placer County, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sbacademy.org/media-statements\">confirmed\u003c/a> in a statement that some of its community members are among those who were caught in the avalanche.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health \u003ca href=\"https://www.capradio.org/articles/2026/02/18/castle-peak-avalanche-what-we-know-so-far/\">confirmed to CapRadio\u003c/a> on Thursday that it has launched an investigation into Blackbird Mountain Guides, the Truckee-based guiding company involved in the incident. In a statement, Cal/OSHA said that “the agency has up to six months to complete an investigation and issue citations if violations of workplace safety regulations are identified.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On Wednesday night, Blackbird said in a statement that the group’s four guides were trained or certified in backcountry skiing by the American Mountain Guides Association and are instructors with the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>“In addition, guides in the field are in communication with senior guides at our base, to discuss conditions and routing based upon conditions,” founder Zeb Blais said. “There is still a lot that we’re learning about what happened.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>KQED has reached out to Blackbird for comment on the Cal/OSHA investigation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said during a Wednesday \u003ca href=\"https://fb.watch/Fnjpz8dZTL/\">press conference\u003c/a> that rescuers had to ski in two miles to locate the surviving members of the group during “extreme conditions.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now, the avalanche area, which was the size of a football field, according to Sheriff’s Capt. Rusty Greene has been “reloaded” with snow.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While that risks reburying the victims, it’s also a major risk to the recovery team, Greene said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The longer that we continue to have people out there and exposed, the higher chance we put our rescuers in danger,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Though Friday’s \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=CAZ072\">forecast \u003c/a>shows the storm subsiding\u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=CAZ072\">,\u003c/a> Sierra Avalanche Center executive director David Reichel said the threat to the Tahoe area remains.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12073961\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12073961\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SierraAvalanche2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SierraAvalanche2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SierraAvalanche2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SierraAvalanche2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Motorists stuck in the snow are aided by a member of the California Highway Patrol along Interstate 80 during a storm on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, near Camp Spaulding in Placer County, California. \u003ccite>(Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP Photo)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Most avalanche accidents actually occur on ‘considerable’ or ‘moderate’ days,” he said, referring to the center’s rating system. “The avalanche danger could decrease, and also still be dangerous.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Reichel said it’s important that anyone considering going into the backcountry check the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/forecasts/avalanche/central-sierra-nevada#/central-sierra-nevada/\">avalanche report\u003c/a> and adjust their plans accordingly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cblockquote>\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Read more: \u003c/strong>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12073690/8-skiers-confirmed-dead-1-still-missing-after-tahoe-avalanche-heres-what-we-know\">\u003cstrong>Learn how to prepare for avalanches and what to do if you’re caught in one.\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\u003c/blockquote>\n\u003cp>“I’m a little bit nervous with this weekend and the potential for blue skies and lots of people, understandably, wanting to enjoy new snow,” he said. “We still need to make good decisions.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo went one step further at Wednesday’s press conference, warning visitors to “avoid the Sierras during this current storm and in the upcoming days,” he said. During Tuesday’s rescue attempt, some emergency responders were pulled away from the search due to other reports of skiers in need.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Avoid mountain travel — it’s treacherous,” he said. “Avoid the backcountry.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/eromero\">\u003cem>Ezra David Romero\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "8-skiers-confirmed-dead-1-still-missing-after-tahoe-avalanche-heres-what-we-know",
"title": "8 Skiers Confirmed Dead, 1 Still Missing After Tahoe Avalanche. Here’s What We Know",
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"content": "\u003cp>Eight people were killed, and one is still missing, after an avalanche buried a group of 15 backcountry skiers in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/tahoe\">Tahoe\u003c/a>’s Donner Summit region on Tuesday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It is now the deadliest avalanche in California’s modern history, surpassing the 1982 avalanche in Alpine Meadows that killed seven people.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Following a 911 call from the survivors around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, about 50 people from surrounding search-and-rescue teams responded, Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said at a press conference Wednesday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Six of the skiers, who were part of a three-day backcountry skiing group staying at the Frog Lake huts near Castle Peak, were rescued amid extreme weather conditions Tuesday night, Moon said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>First responders used snowcats to get 2 miles from the site of the avalanche before skiing in to rescue survivors, who were trying to shelter amid the storm with the equipment they had on hand. Two were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and one has been released.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#Whattodoifyourecaughtinanavalanche\">What to do if you’re caught in an avalanche\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>“Due to extreme weather conditions, it took several hours for rescue personnel to safely reach the skiers and transport them to safety, where they were medically evaluated by Truckee Fire,” a sheriff’s spokesperson wrote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Three people were immediately identified as dead on the scene.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The search for the remaining missing person and recovery for the eight deceased are ongoing Wednesday, pending weather conditions, Moon said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12073788\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1980px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12073788 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/AP26049704726526.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1485\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/AP26049704726526.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/AP26049704726526-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/AP26049704726526-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon updates media on rescue efforts following an avalanche at a news conference in Nevada City, California, on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. \u003ccite>(Tran Nguyen via AP Photo)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“It’s not a resource issue as we speak,” Moon said. “It is a weather condition and safety condition for our response teams.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Initial reports said 16 people went on the trip, but a statement from \u003ca href=\"https://blackbirdguides.com/pages/live-incident-updates\">Blackbird Mountain Guides\u003c/a>, the guiding company involved in the incident, confirmed the group was actually 15 — comprising 11 clients and four guides. Among the survivors, one is a guide and five are clients. All had emergency beacons, and rescuers were communicating with some survivors via text message, according to first responders.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nine women and six men were on the trip, with five women and one man among the survivors. Their identities have not been released, but Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo said one of those who died is the spouse of a member of the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team, a volunteer team that responded to the incident.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This has not only been challenging for our community, it’s been a challenging rescue,” Woo said. “It’s also been challenging emotionally for our team and our organization.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11940130\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11940130\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/02/GettyImages-157677589.jpg\" alt=\"A creek running through a forest where trees are covered in snow.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1388\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/02/GettyImages-157677589.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/02/GettyImages-157677589-800x578.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/02/GettyImages-157677589-1020x737.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/02/GettyImages-157677589-160x116.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/02/GettyImages-157677589-1536x1110.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fresh Winter Snow near where the Donner Party saga unfolded. \u003ccite>(Ron and Patty Thomas/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12073593/heavy-rain-and-snow-shut-down-roads-across-bay-area-and-sierra-nevada\">A major storm hit the Lake Tahoe region this week\u003c/a>, producing high avalanche danger. While crews continue their search, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/forecasts/avalanche#/all\">Sierra Avalanche Center\u003c/a> issued an avalanche warning starting Tuesday morning that expires on Thursday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The warning notes high avalanche danger — the fourth level on a five-point scale — and says travel in or around backcountry avalanche terrain is not recommended.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Rapidly accumulating snowfall, weak layers in the existing snowpack, and gale-force winds that blow and drift snow have created dangerous avalanche conditions in the mountains,” the warning reads. “Natural avalanches are likely, and human-triggered avalanches large enough to bury or injure people are very likely.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wendy Antibus, education manager at the Sierra Avalanche Center, said the dry conditions all January allowed weak layers to form at the surface of existing snow, creating a slippery surface that’s prime for avalanches.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Then this week’s sheer volume of snowfall, with more than an inch falling per hour for the past two days, piled on top, said Brian Brong, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Reno office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“As the slope gets steeper and steeper, that snow doesn’t tend to want to stick — it wants to kind of slide down the hill, so that’s where we get the avalanche threat,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And with temperatures in the single digits on the mountaintops, that produces light, fluffy snow that can get blown around easily — even a 30 mph wind can create whiteout conditions, he said. The lighter snow leads to more snow drifts, piling up on one side of a mountain and creating a steeper-than-normal slope, prime for avalanche risk.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12073703\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12073703 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SnowStormSierraNevadaAP1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SnowStormSierraNevadaAP1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SnowStormSierraNevadaAP1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SnowStormSierraNevadaAP1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A vehicle is buried in snow during a storm on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, in Truckee, California. \u003ccite>(Brooke Hess-Homeier/AP Photo)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>This slide was around a football field in length, said Chris Feutrier, forest supervisor of the Tahoe National Forest.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It resulted when a persistent weak layer had a large load of snow over the top of it,” he said at the press conference. “That persistent weak layer is still there and has reloaded with another three feet of snow. So the hazard remains high.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The slide occurred just one mile away from \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/renotahoe/article/avalanche-kills-snowmobiler-near-lake-tahoe-21279131.php\">another in January\u003c/a>, which killed a person snowmobiling in the backcountry.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Richard Bothwell, chief avalanche educator for the Bay Area-based Outdoor Adventure Club, warned that people often have trouble assessing risk in the backcountry.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We just have to be really, really meticulous about the terrain that we choose to travel on,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At Wednesday’s press conference, Woo warned that travel in the Sierra Nevada is not safe right now. “Please avoid the Sierras during this current storm and in the upcoming days,” he said. “Avoid mountain travel — it’s treacherous. Avoid the backcountry.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Whattodoifyourecaughtinanavalanche\">\u003c/a>What to do if you’re caught in an avalanche\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’re planning on heading up to the mountains this winter, keep reading for what to know about avalanches — why they happen, how to prepare for the worst, and what to do if you’re caught in an avalanche yourself.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How to be prepared for avalanches\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’re venturing into the backcountry — which means beyond the boundaries of a ski resort — then you need to take \u003ca href=\"https://avalanche.org/avalanche-courses/\">an avalanche safety course\u003c/a>. This will give you far more detail in understanding avalanche conditions and rescue protocols.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re planning to stay primarily in a resort or mountain park, then you should still know the basics — many of which you can learn through the National Avalanche Center’s \u003ca href=\"https://avalanche.org/avalanche-education/\">free course videos and educational materials on avalanches\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12073713\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12073713 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/CaliforniaAvalancheAP3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/CaliforniaAvalancheAP3.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/CaliforniaAvalancheAP3-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/CaliforniaAvalancheAP3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Snow covers a street sign on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, in Truckee, California. \u003ccite>(Brooke Hess-Homeier/AP Photo)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The most important rule is not to venture into closed areas of the resort and not to “duck” under out-of-bounds ropes. Pay attention to any alerts or warnings.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/sac-daily-flow-user-guide\">The Sierra Avalanche Center has also created a daily flow guide\u003c/a> for a simple way to understand the best practices when skiing and snowboarding in the Sierra. This includes:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Skiing with other people and knowing their abilities in advance\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Knowing the conditions and avalanche risk before you go\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Having a safety and rescue plan and bringing avalanche equipment\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>How do I know what the avalanche conditions are?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Check, check, check the forecasts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Sierra Avalanche Center, along with a number of avalanche experts and offices around the West, puts out \u003ca href=\"https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/forecasts/#/central-sierra-nevada\">daily forecasts with predicted avalanche dangers\u003c/a> and conditions to watch out for. They also put out \u003ca href=\"https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/state-of-the-snowpack/current\">weekly overall updates on the state of the snowpack\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>However, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/how-to-read-avalanche-advisory\">reading an avalanche advisory\u003c/a> in detail does require some background knowledge. If you plan to stay within the resorts, then the “bottom line” information (which is listed at the top) supplied in the advisory forecasts should give you the main takeaways.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A good rule is to pay attention to the warning signs that an avalanche could happen when you’re out in the snow. According to \u003ca href=\"https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/sac-daily-flow-user-guide\">the Sierra Avalanche Center’s daily flow guide\u003c/a>, these include:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Recent avalanche activity in the area\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Signs of instability in the snowpack\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Recent “loading” (i.e., storms)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Rapid warming or weather changes\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Terrain with a slope greater than 30 degrees\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Terrain or hillsides that match the advisory warnings\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>How do avalanches happen?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>There are \u003ca href=\"https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/avalanche-problems\">different kinds of avalanches\u003c/a> that come with different kinds of warning signs and frequency. The two main kinds are dry-loose or sluff avalanches — which are made up of soft snow that collects as it moves — and slab avalanches, which occur when a cohesive layer of snow breaks and moves as a slab downhill.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/quest/19193/the-science-of-snow\">The science of how snow layers form and break\u003c/a> is complicated, but in essence, avalanches occur when there’s a surface bed of snow at the bottom, with a weaker layer of snow on top — and then new snow on top of that weaker layer.[aside postID=news_12073593 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/DonnerPassGetty.jpg']This creates \u003ca href=\"https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/anticipate-conditions\">conditions\u003c/a> where the weaker layer can collapse, and the mass of snow on top can fracture and slide. While this can happen naturally, human activity almost always triggers avalanches, causing the weaker layer to collapse.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Things that can affect the likelihood of an avalanche occurring are, \u003ca href=\"https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5444915.pdf\">according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center (PDF):\u003c/a> The instability of the snowpack, the recent weather and snowfall, and the terrain.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Avalanches are most likely to occur immediately after a large storm when there has been significant snowfall. Heavy wind that quickly blows in large amounts of snow on top of an existing layer can also cause dangerous conditions. Slight melting and refreezing each night can stabilize the snowpack — but extended periods of out-of-the-ordinary weather changes can cause instability. Whether or not a slope faces the sun, and the steepness of that slope, can affect the probability of an avalanche.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Within resorts, ski patrols monitor these conditions and conduct avalanche controls — deliberately setting off small avalanches to keep the potential for larger ones from building up. In the backcountry, it’s important to be aware of all these changing variables since you won’t have ski patrols around to do it for you.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What is avalanche equipment?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In the backcountry, avalanche equipment includes:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>An avalanche beacon and receiver\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>A probe to stick in the ground to locate someone trapped\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>A shovel to dig someone out\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Many jackets and ski pants also now come with \u003ca href=\"https://recco.com/technology/\">a RECCO reflector\u003c/a> built in. This small transmitter looks like a label or tag on your coat, pants, helmet or backpack, which transmits to receivers operated by patrols or rescue crews. This is not considered a replacement for an avalanche beacon, but it can augment rescue efforts and is an easy add-on to have inbounds at a resort.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What should I do if I get caught in an avalanche?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>First and foremost, try to get off the slab or out of the oncoming avalanche track. This is, of course, not always easy to accomplish since avalanches can travel between 60 mph and 80 mph.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Sierra Avalanche Center \u003ca href=\"https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/FAQ\">recommends two techniques for escaping the path of an avalanche\u003c/a>:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>If you’re skiing or snowboarding, try to head straight downhill to build up some speed, and then angle off to the side to get off the slab.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>If you’re snowmobiling, use the momentum and power to your advantage and continue in the direction you’re going to try to get out of dangerous snow.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12073709\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1998px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12073709\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/CaliforniaAvalancheAP2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1998\" height=\"1332\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/CaliforniaAvalancheAP2.jpg 1998w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/CaliforniaAvalancheAP2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/CaliforniaAvalancheAP2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1998px) 100vw, 1998px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Trucks are lined up along Interstate 80 during a storm on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, in Truckee, California. \u003ccite>(Brooke Hess-Homeier/AP Photo)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The reason people die in avalanches is that carbon dioxide in the area around their mouth, where they are buried, builds up. If they’re rescued within the first 15 minutes, there is a nearly 93% survival rate, according to stats published by \u003ca href=\"https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/avalanche-victim-resuscitation\">the American Avalanche Association\u003c/a> — but it drops drastically with every additional minute. This is why it’s crucial to take steps to increase the likelihood that you can be found and rescued quickly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>If you get caught in an avalanche and can’t escape, you can try to grab onto a tree. But you’ll have to do this very quickly because avalanches pick up speed within seconds — and getting carried at speed into a tree or boulder is a common source of fatal trauma in an avalanche.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>If you can’t escape or grab onto a tree, then you need to “swim.” Because people are likely to sink in the avalanche debris, it’s important to swim hard to try and keep yourself near the surface.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Clear a space for air in front of your mouth as the avalanche slows down just before it comes to rest. This will give you slightly longer before the carbon dioxide builds up.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Push a hand up (or your best guess of what “up” is) because any clues will help people find you faster.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Remember: All of these things must be done while the debris and snow are still moving — because once the snow stops, it will instantly be too thick and heavy for you to move.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>If you see someone caught in an avalanche, do not try to ski or snowmobile over to them while it is occurring — no matter how strong your instinct is to reach them to help out. Instead, you are likely to get caught in the avalanche yourself. You should try to note their starting position and where they end up, and then immediately start searching for them after the avalanche stops.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/mbolanos\">\u003cem>Madi Bolaños\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "Six survivors have been rescued after an avalanche in the backcountry near Donner Summit, while search and recovery operations continue amid dangerous conditions.",
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"title": "8 Skiers Confirmed Dead, 1 Still Missing After Tahoe Avalanche. Here’s What We Know | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Eight people were killed, and one is still missing, after an avalanche buried a group of 15 backcountry skiers in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/tahoe\">Tahoe\u003c/a>’s Donner Summit region on Tuesday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It is now the deadliest avalanche in California’s modern history, surpassing the 1982 avalanche in Alpine Meadows that killed seven people.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Following a 911 call from the survivors around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, about 50 people from surrounding search-and-rescue teams responded, Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said at a press conference Wednesday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Six of the skiers, who were part of a three-day backcountry skiing group staying at the Frog Lake huts near Castle Peak, were rescued amid extreme weather conditions Tuesday night, Moon said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>First responders used snowcats to get 2 miles from the site of the avalanche before skiing in to rescue survivors, who were trying to shelter amid the storm with the equipment they had on hand. Two were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and one has been released.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#Whattodoifyourecaughtinanavalanche\">What to do if you’re caught in an avalanche\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>“Due to extreme weather conditions, it took several hours for rescue personnel to safely reach the skiers and transport them to safety, where they were medically evaluated by Truckee Fire,” a sheriff’s spokesperson wrote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Three people were immediately identified as dead on the scene.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The search for the remaining missing person and recovery for the eight deceased are ongoing Wednesday, pending weather conditions, Moon said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12073788\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1980px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12073788 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/AP26049704726526.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1485\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/AP26049704726526.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/AP26049704726526-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/AP26049704726526-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon updates media on rescue efforts following an avalanche at a news conference in Nevada City, California, on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. \u003ccite>(Tran Nguyen via AP Photo)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“It’s not a resource issue as we speak,” Moon said. “It is a weather condition and safety condition for our response teams.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Initial reports said 16 people went on the trip, but a statement from \u003ca href=\"https://blackbirdguides.com/pages/live-incident-updates\">Blackbird Mountain Guides\u003c/a>, the guiding company involved in the incident, confirmed the group was actually 15 — comprising 11 clients and four guides. Among the survivors, one is a guide and five are clients. All had emergency beacons, and rescuers were communicating with some survivors via text message, according to first responders.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nine women and six men were on the trip, with five women and one man among the survivors. Their identities have not been released, but Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo said one of those who died is the spouse of a member of the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue Team, a volunteer team that responded to the incident.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This has not only been challenging for our community, it’s been a challenging rescue,” Woo said. “It’s also been challenging emotionally for our team and our organization.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11940130\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11940130\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/02/GettyImages-157677589.jpg\" alt=\"A creek running through a forest where trees are covered in snow.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1388\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/02/GettyImages-157677589.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/02/GettyImages-157677589-800x578.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/02/GettyImages-157677589-1020x737.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/02/GettyImages-157677589-160x116.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/02/GettyImages-157677589-1536x1110.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fresh Winter Snow near where the Donner Party saga unfolded. \u003ccite>(Ron and Patty Thomas/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12073593/heavy-rain-and-snow-shut-down-roads-across-bay-area-and-sierra-nevada\">A major storm hit the Lake Tahoe region this week\u003c/a>, producing high avalanche danger. While crews continue their search, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/forecasts/avalanche#/all\">Sierra Avalanche Center\u003c/a> issued an avalanche warning starting Tuesday morning that expires on Thursday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The warning notes high avalanche danger — the fourth level on a five-point scale — and says travel in or around backcountry avalanche terrain is not recommended.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Rapidly accumulating snowfall, weak layers in the existing snowpack, and gale-force winds that blow and drift snow have created dangerous avalanche conditions in the mountains,” the warning reads. “Natural avalanches are likely, and human-triggered avalanches large enough to bury or injure people are very likely.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wendy Antibus, education manager at the Sierra Avalanche Center, said the dry conditions all January allowed weak layers to form at the surface of existing snow, creating a slippery surface that’s prime for avalanches.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Then this week’s sheer volume of snowfall, with more than an inch falling per hour for the past two days, piled on top, said Brian Brong, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Reno office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“As the slope gets steeper and steeper, that snow doesn’t tend to want to stick — it wants to kind of slide down the hill, so that’s where we get the avalanche threat,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And with temperatures in the single digits on the mountaintops, that produces light, fluffy snow that can get blown around easily — even a 30 mph wind can create whiteout conditions, he said. The lighter snow leads to more snow drifts, piling up on one side of a mountain and creating a steeper-than-normal slope, prime for avalanche risk.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12073703\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12073703 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SnowStormSierraNevadaAP1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SnowStormSierraNevadaAP1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SnowStormSierraNevadaAP1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SnowStormSierraNevadaAP1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A vehicle is buried in snow during a storm on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, in Truckee, California. \u003ccite>(Brooke Hess-Homeier/AP Photo)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>This slide was around a football field in length, said Chris Feutrier, forest supervisor of the Tahoe National Forest.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It resulted when a persistent weak layer had a large load of snow over the top of it,” he said at the press conference. “That persistent weak layer is still there and has reloaded with another three feet of snow. So the hazard remains high.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The slide occurred just one mile away from \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/renotahoe/article/avalanche-kills-snowmobiler-near-lake-tahoe-21279131.php\">another in January\u003c/a>, which killed a person snowmobiling in the backcountry.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Richard Bothwell, chief avalanche educator for the Bay Area-based Outdoor Adventure Club, warned that people often have trouble assessing risk in the backcountry.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We just have to be really, really meticulous about the terrain that we choose to travel on,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At Wednesday’s press conference, Woo warned that travel in the Sierra Nevada is not safe right now. “Please avoid the Sierras during this current storm and in the upcoming days,” he said. “Avoid mountain travel — it’s treacherous. Avoid the backcountry.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Whattodoifyourecaughtinanavalanche\">\u003c/a>What to do if you’re caught in an avalanche\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’re planning on heading up to the mountains this winter, keep reading for what to know about avalanches — why they happen, how to prepare for the worst, and what to do if you’re caught in an avalanche yourself.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How to be prepared for avalanches\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’re venturing into the backcountry — which means beyond the boundaries of a ski resort — then you need to take \u003ca href=\"https://avalanche.org/avalanche-courses/\">an avalanche safety course\u003c/a>. This will give you far more detail in understanding avalanche conditions and rescue protocols.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re planning to stay primarily in a resort or mountain park, then you should still know the basics — many of which you can learn through the National Avalanche Center’s \u003ca href=\"https://avalanche.org/avalanche-education/\">free course videos and educational materials on avalanches\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12073713\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12073713 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/CaliforniaAvalancheAP3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/CaliforniaAvalancheAP3.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/CaliforniaAvalancheAP3-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/CaliforniaAvalancheAP3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Snow covers a street sign on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, in Truckee, California. \u003ccite>(Brooke Hess-Homeier/AP Photo)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The most important rule is not to venture into closed areas of the resort and not to “duck” under out-of-bounds ropes. Pay attention to any alerts or warnings.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/sac-daily-flow-user-guide\">The Sierra Avalanche Center has also created a daily flow guide\u003c/a> for a simple way to understand the best practices when skiing and snowboarding in the Sierra. This includes:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Skiing with other people and knowing their abilities in advance\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Knowing the conditions and avalanche risk before you go\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Having a safety and rescue plan and bringing avalanche equipment\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>How do I know what the avalanche conditions are?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Check, check, check the forecasts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Sierra Avalanche Center, along with a number of avalanche experts and offices around the West, puts out \u003ca href=\"https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/forecasts/#/central-sierra-nevada\">daily forecasts with predicted avalanche dangers\u003c/a> and conditions to watch out for. They also put out \u003ca href=\"https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/state-of-the-snowpack/current\">weekly overall updates on the state of the snowpack\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>However, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/how-to-read-avalanche-advisory\">reading an avalanche advisory\u003c/a> in detail does require some background knowledge. If you plan to stay within the resorts, then the “bottom line” information (which is listed at the top) supplied in the advisory forecasts should give you the main takeaways.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A good rule is to pay attention to the warning signs that an avalanche could happen when you’re out in the snow. According to \u003ca href=\"https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/sac-daily-flow-user-guide\">the Sierra Avalanche Center’s daily flow guide\u003c/a>, these include:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Recent avalanche activity in the area\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Signs of instability in the snowpack\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Recent “loading” (i.e., storms)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Rapid warming or weather changes\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Terrain with a slope greater than 30 degrees\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Terrain or hillsides that match the advisory warnings\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>How do avalanches happen?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>There are \u003ca href=\"https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/avalanche-problems\">different kinds of avalanches\u003c/a> that come with different kinds of warning signs and frequency. The two main kinds are dry-loose or sluff avalanches — which are made up of soft snow that collects as it moves — and slab avalanches, which occur when a cohesive layer of snow breaks and moves as a slab downhill.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/quest/19193/the-science-of-snow\">The science of how snow layers form and break\u003c/a> is complicated, but in essence, avalanches occur when there’s a surface bed of snow at the bottom, with a weaker layer of snow on top — and then new snow on top of that weaker layer.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>This creates \u003ca href=\"https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/anticipate-conditions\">conditions\u003c/a> where the weaker layer can collapse, and the mass of snow on top can fracture and slide. While this can happen naturally, human activity almost always triggers avalanches, causing the weaker layer to collapse.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Things that can affect the likelihood of an avalanche occurring are, \u003ca href=\"https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5444915.pdf\">according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center (PDF):\u003c/a> The instability of the snowpack, the recent weather and snowfall, and the terrain.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Avalanches are most likely to occur immediately after a large storm when there has been significant snowfall. Heavy wind that quickly blows in large amounts of snow on top of an existing layer can also cause dangerous conditions. Slight melting and refreezing each night can stabilize the snowpack — but extended periods of out-of-the-ordinary weather changes can cause instability. Whether or not a slope faces the sun, and the steepness of that slope, can affect the probability of an avalanche.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Within resorts, ski patrols monitor these conditions and conduct avalanche controls — deliberately setting off small avalanches to keep the potential for larger ones from building up. In the backcountry, it’s important to be aware of all these changing variables since you won’t have ski patrols around to do it for you.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What is avalanche equipment?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In the backcountry, avalanche equipment includes:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>An avalanche beacon and receiver\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>A probe to stick in the ground to locate someone trapped\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>A shovel to dig someone out\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Many jackets and ski pants also now come with \u003ca href=\"https://recco.com/technology/\">a RECCO reflector\u003c/a> built in. This small transmitter looks like a label or tag on your coat, pants, helmet or backpack, which transmits to receivers operated by patrols or rescue crews. This is not considered a replacement for an avalanche beacon, but it can augment rescue efforts and is an easy add-on to have inbounds at a resort.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What should I do if I get caught in an avalanche?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>First and foremost, try to get off the slab or out of the oncoming avalanche track. This is, of course, not always easy to accomplish since avalanches can travel between 60 mph and 80 mph.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Sierra Avalanche Center \u003ca href=\"https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/FAQ\">recommends two techniques for escaping the path of an avalanche\u003c/a>:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>If you’re skiing or snowboarding, try to head straight downhill to build up some speed, and then angle off to the side to get off the slab.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>If you’re snowmobiling, use the momentum and power to your advantage and continue in the direction you’re going to try to get out of dangerous snow.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12073709\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1998px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12073709\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/CaliforniaAvalancheAP2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1998\" height=\"1332\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/CaliforniaAvalancheAP2.jpg 1998w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/CaliforniaAvalancheAP2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/CaliforniaAvalancheAP2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1998px) 100vw, 1998px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Trucks are lined up along Interstate 80 during a storm on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, in Truckee, California. \u003ccite>(Brooke Hess-Homeier/AP Photo)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The reason people die in avalanches is that carbon dioxide in the area around their mouth, where they are buried, builds up. If they’re rescued within the first 15 minutes, there is a nearly 93% survival rate, according to stats published by \u003ca href=\"https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.org/avalanche-victim-resuscitation\">the American Avalanche Association\u003c/a> — but it drops drastically with every additional minute. This is why it’s crucial to take steps to increase the likelihood that you can be found and rescued quickly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>If you get caught in an avalanche and can’t escape, you can try to grab onto a tree. But you’ll have to do this very quickly because avalanches pick up speed within seconds — and getting carried at speed into a tree or boulder is a common source of fatal trauma in an avalanche.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>If you can’t escape or grab onto a tree, then you need to “swim.” Because people are likely to sink in the avalanche debris, it’s important to swim hard to try and keep yourself near the surface.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Clear a space for air in front of your mouth as the avalanche slows down just before it comes to rest. This will give you slightly longer before the carbon dioxide builds up.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Push a hand up (or your best guess of what “up” is) because any clues will help people find you faster.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Remember: All of these things must be done while the debris and snow are still moving — because once the snow stops, it will instantly be too thick and heavy for you to move.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>If you see someone caught in an avalanche, do not try to ski or snowmobile over to them while it is occurring — no matter how strong your instinct is to reach them to help out. Instead, you are likely to get caught in the avalanche yourself. You should try to note their starting position and where they end up, and then immediately start searching for them after the avalanche stops.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/mbolanos\">\u003cem>Madi Bolaños\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"slug": "heavy-rain-and-snow-shut-down-roads-across-bay-area-and-sierra-nevada",
"title": "Heavy Rain and Snow Shut Down Roads Across Bay Area and Sierra Nevada",
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"headTitle": "Heavy Rain and Snow Shut Down Roads Across Bay Area and Sierra Nevada | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/2000043/winter-is-coming-storms-soak-bay-area-next-week-drop-2-feet-of-fresh-snow-on-tahoe\">major storm system\u003c/a> passing through Northern California after weeks of dry weather shut down roads across the Bay Area and in the Sierra Nevada on Tuesday morning.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As the area braces for more steady rainfall throughout the day, highways in the East Bay and North Bay were flooded in parts, and access to Lake Tahoe was cut off due to inches of rain and snow collected since Monday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The weather \u003ca href=\"https://511.org/alerts/critical\">suspended Golden Gate Ferry\u003c/a> operations to Angel Island, and travel to Tiburon has been rerouted via bus. Trips from San Francisco to Sausalito were suspended until 12:10 p.m. After that, early afternoon travel will be via bus.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In Oakland, Interstate 880 northbound was backed up as the offramp on Broadway flooded, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s \u003ca href=\"https://511.org/\">511 website\u003c/a>. Interstate 580 was also affected by flooding: in the eastbound direction, the right lane and shoulder were closed due to flooding near Grand Avenue, and westbound, the right lane was closed east of 35th Avenue.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Tips\">Jump straight to: Tips for safe driving in the rain and snow\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The city has gotten more than an inch and a half of rain in the last 48 hours, according to the National Weather Service.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Farther northeast in Solano County, where there’s also been more than an inch of rainfall since midday Sunday, flooding affected lanes of Highway 38 headed east in Vallejo and Interstate 80 westbound in Fairfield.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_10366486\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10366486\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2014/12/459889850-e1771364269475.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1360\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A motorist drives through a flooded intersection on Dec. 3, 2014, in Mill Valley, California. \u003ccite>(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>In Sonoma County, where back-to-back storms in December and early January brought \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12068281/bay-area-braces-for-storm-that-could-become-a-rare-bomb-cyclone-ahead-of-holiday-travel\">significant flooding\u003c/a>, Green Valley Road in Sebastopol was shut down on Tuesday due to flood conditions. In a livestream operated by the county to \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcQJUHnWAVA\">show flooding conditions\u003c/a>, water was streaming over the roadway near Sullivan Road and pooling heavily on Tuesday afternoon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The section between Thomas Road and Sullivan Road is currently closed due to flooding from the recent storm,” county spokesperson Diana Callaway said via email. She said the roadway would reopen when water levels receded, but did not give a time estimate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Motorists are advised to use alternate routes and avoid driving through flooded areas due to potential debris and water-related hazards,” she said.[aside postID=news_12068981 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/Hwy116Getty.jpg']Parts of the county have collected more than 2 inches of rain since Sunday, the NWS reported, and county officials urged residents to limit unnecessary travel and turn around if they come across flooded roadways.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In Monterey County, a nearly 7-mile stretch of Highway 1 was closed as crews cleared mud and debris from the roadway after a slide late Monday evening. The Regent’s Slide area in Big Sur — where there were major mudslides in 2023 and 2024 — \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12069761/californias-highway-1-fully-opens-through-big-sur-years-after-major-landslides\">just reopened in January\u003c/a> after three years of damage repairs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Crews continue to clear mud from the roadway at Regent’s Slide,” Caltrans said in a post on the social media platform X.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As for the mountains, UC Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Lab said it best: “It. Is. Dumping,” the lab \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/UCB_CSSL\">posted on X on Tuesday\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Reaching the Sierra won’t be easy — or advised — after Interstate 80 shut down from Colfax in Placer County to the Nevada state line due to snowfall. The Sierra Snow Lab, which is located near Donner Summit, about 50 miles east of Colfax along I-80, reported 28 inches of snow overnight Monday, and predicted another 2-3 feet by Wednesday night.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Anecdotally, the combination of low visibility, intense snowfall, and high winds have created the worst conditions since Feb 2023,” the Berkeley lab said via social media.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11980519\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11980519\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/02/GettyImages-1244621245_qut.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/02/GettyImages-1244621245_qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/02/GettyImages-1244621245_qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/02/GettyImages-1244621245_qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/02/GettyImages-1244621245_qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/02/GettyImages-1244621245_qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Snow blanketed South Lake Tahoe in California on Nov. 8, 2022. \u003ccite>(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Highway 50 to South Lake Tahoe was also closed in El Dorado County, from Pointview Drive in Placerville to Meyers, due to multiple spinouts, and Highway 89 in El Dorado County was closed at Emerald Bay State Park in South Lake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The National Weather Service said that travel throughout the Sierra is “highly discouraged” throughout the day and into the night, as periods of whiteout conditions are likely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Across Northern California, more rain and snow are expected throughout the day, and scattered showers could continue into the rest of the week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the Sierra, the National Weather Service is forecasting up to 8 feet of snow on peaks above 3,500 feet, while 1-2 feet could accumulate at lower elevations. Some snowfall is predicted at elevations as low as 1,000 feet in the Sierra and Shasta County.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"Tips\">\u003c/a>Driving safely in rain and strong winds\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>During storms like this, officials typically urge residents to limit unnecessary travel and stay home if at all possible during weather events like these, citing the potential dangers presented by downed trees and power lines in addition to flooding.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How should I change my driving style during rain and winds?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you must drive, do it much more slowly and cautiously than usual, while:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Using your headlights\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Turning off cruise control\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Maintaining a firm grip on the steering wheel\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Leaving twice as much space between your vehicle and the one in front of it (wet roads might mean it takes longer to stop)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Staying alert for debris on the road.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What do I do if my car begins to hydroplane on a wet road?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>First off, remain calm — and don’t slam on the brakes\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Ease off the gas\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Steer in the direction you want to go …\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>… and very lightly pump the brakes until you regain traction.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What if I approach a flooded road?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Always turn around rather than driving through a flooded area — as little as 6 inches of water is enough to disable or stall a small car, while 12 inches can sweep away a vehicle. Don’t assume you know the depth of a pool of water or the conditions of the road underneath it, especially at night.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If floodwaters begin to rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground on foot. According to the California Department of Water Resources, more people become trapped and die in their vehicles than anywhere else during a flood.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>Driving safely in snowy conditions\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Be sure to take weather warnings for the Sierra Nevada seriously, as winter storms can sometimes make travel virtually impossible — and genuinely dangerous. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11937204/lake-tahoe-weather-forecast-road-conditions-snow-chains#snowroadclosures\">Read more on how to check the weather forecast and travel warnings.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11937339\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11937339\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A snowplow clears debris from the road to Stateline, Nevada on Nov. 8, 2022. A winter Storm warning in is effect for Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada. \u003ccite>(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If you must drive in these conditions:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Carry chains\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to making sure your vehicle’s in good working order (including brakes, wipers and heater), you’ll need to carry chains, which are fitted onto the tires of a vehicle’s drive wheels to offer more traction on snowy and icy roads. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11937204/lake-tahoe-weather-forecast-road-conditions-snow-chains#chaincontroltahoe\">Read more about when chain control is declared in the Tahoe region and how to fit chains onto your car.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Fuel up\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Make sure you also have as much fuel as possible at all times, as you could be delayed or even held on the road, which will burn up the fuel in your tank. Gaining elevation as you ascend into the mountains will also use more gas.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Use Caltrans’ QuickMap \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Caltrans’ \u003ca href=\"https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/QM/app.htm\">QuickMap app (available on the App Store and Google Play)\u003c/a>, and also in \u003ca href=\"https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/\">web form,\u003c/a> will show you the latest road conditions and travel information, including chain controls, snowplows on the roads and closures.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pack for getting stuck\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Make sure your vehicles contains emergency items including:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Food and water\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Warm blankets\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Extra clothing\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>A shovel, in case you need to dig your vehicle out of snow\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>An ice scraper.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Take it slow\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You’ll see the words “Ice and snow, take it slow” on road signs in Tahoe, and you should heed the advice — especially in areas with chain control, which is in effect for a reason.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Leave far more braking distance between you and the car ahead than you normally would. If cars behind you are clearly trying to go much faster than you, pull over when it’s safe to do so, and let them pass. Read \u003ca href=\"https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips\">Caltrans’ list of winter driving tips\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Know how to correct a skid\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There are \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+get+out+of+skid\">many video tutorials online demonstrating how to control and correct a skid\u003c/a>. It’s a good idea to watch a few of them so you can see what the advice for correcting a skid — \u003ca href=\"https://www.aarp.org/auto/driver-safety/the-car-skids-what-you-should-do/\">take your feet off the pedals and turn into the direction you want to go\u003c/a> — looks like in action.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Be aware of the ice risk especially posed by roads that are shaded by the sun — and also on \u003ca href=\"https://www.forbes.com/sites/marshallshepherd/2017/12/19/the-science-of-why-bridges-ice-before-roads/?sh=194a49857cd0\">bridges, which freeze faster than the road before and after them\u003c/a> owing to the air underneath.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story contains reporting by KQED’s \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/ccabreralomeli\">\u003cem>Carlos Cabrera-Lomelí\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> and \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/esilvers\">\u003cem>Emma Silvers\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem>.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "A major storm system passing through Northern California is bringing significant disruptions to travel, including what officials called the worst conditions over Donner Pass in years.",
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"title": "Heavy Rain and Snow Shut Down Roads Across Bay Area and Sierra Nevada | KQED",
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"headline": "Heavy Rain and Snow Shut Down Roads Across Bay Area and Sierra Nevada",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/2000043/winter-is-coming-storms-soak-bay-area-next-week-drop-2-feet-of-fresh-snow-on-tahoe\">major storm system\u003c/a> passing through Northern California after weeks of dry weather shut down roads across the Bay Area and in the Sierra Nevada on Tuesday morning.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As the area braces for more steady rainfall throughout the day, highways in the East Bay and North Bay were flooded in parts, and access to Lake Tahoe was cut off due to inches of rain and snow collected since Monday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The weather \u003ca href=\"https://511.org/alerts/critical\">suspended Golden Gate Ferry\u003c/a> operations to Angel Island, and travel to Tiburon has been rerouted via bus. Trips from San Francisco to Sausalito were suspended until 12:10 p.m. After that, early afternoon travel will be via bus.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In Oakland, Interstate 880 northbound was backed up as the offramp on Broadway flooded, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s \u003ca href=\"https://511.org/\">511 website\u003c/a>. Interstate 580 was also affected by flooding: in the eastbound direction, the right lane and shoulder were closed due to flooding near Grand Avenue, and westbound, the right lane was closed east of 35th Avenue.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#Tips\">Jump straight to: Tips for safe driving in the rain and snow\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>The city has gotten more than an inch and a half of rain in the last 48 hours, according to the National Weather Service.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Farther northeast in Solano County, where there’s also been more than an inch of rainfall since midday Sunday, flooding affected lanes of Highway 38 headed east in Vallejo and Interstate 80 westbound in Fairfield.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_10366486\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10366486\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2014/12/459889850-e1771364269475.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1360\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A motorist drives through a flooded intersection on Dec. 3, 2014, in Mill Valley, California. \u003ccite>(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>In Sonoma County, where back-to-back storms in December and early January brought \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12068281/bay-area-braces-for-storm-that-could-become-a-rare-bomb-cyclone-ahead-of-holiday-travel\">significant flooding\u003c/a>, Green Valley Road in Sebastopol was shut down on Tuesday due to flood conditions. In a livestream operated by the county to \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcQJUHnWAVA\">show flooding conditions\u003c/a>, water was streaming over the roadway near Sullivan Road and pooling heavily on Tuesday afternoon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The section between Thomas Road and Sullivan Road is currently closed due to flooding from the recent storm,” county spokesperson Diana Callaway said via email. She said the roadway would reopen when water levels receded, but did not give a time estimate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Motorists are advised to use alternate routes and avoid driving through flooded areas due to potential debris and water-related hazards,” she said.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Parts of the county have collected more than 2 inches of rain since Sunday, the NWS reported, and county officials urged residents to limit unnecessary travel and turn around if they come across flooded roadways.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In Monterey County, a nearly 7-mile stretch of Highway 1 was closed as crews cleared mud and debris from the roadway after a slide late Monday evening. The Regent’s Slide area in Big Sur — where there were major mudslides in 2023 and 2024 — \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12069761/californias-highway-1-fully-opens-through-big-sur-years-after-major-landslides\">just reopened in January\u003c/a> after three years of damage repairs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Crews continue to clear mud from the roadway at Regent’s Slide,” Caltrans said in a post on the social media platform X.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As for the mountains, UC Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Lab said it best: “It. Is. Dumping,” the lab \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/UCB_CSSL\">posted on X on Tuesday\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Reaching the Sierra won’t be easy — or advised — after Interstate 80 shut down from Colfax in Placer County to the Nevada state line due to snowfall. The Sierra Snow Lab, which is located near Donner Summit, about 50 miles east of Colfax along I-80, reported 28 inches of snow overnight Monday, and predicted another 2-3 feet by Wednesday night.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Anecdotally, the combination of low visibility, intense snowfall, and high winds have created the worst conditions since Feb 2023,” the Berkeley lab said via social media.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11980519\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11980519\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/02/GettyImages-1244621245_qut.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/02/GettyImages-1244621245_qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/02/GettyImages-1244621245_qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/02/GettyImages-1244621245_qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/02/GettyImages-1244621245_qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/02/GettyImages-1244621245_qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Snow blanketed South Lake Tahoe in California on Nov. 8, 2022. \u003ccite>(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Highway 50 to South Lake Tahoe was also closed in El Dorado County, from Pointview Drive in Placerville to Meyers, due to multiple spinouts, and Highway 89 in El Dorado County was closed at Emerald Bay State Park in South Lake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The National Weather Service said that travel throughout the Sierra is “highly discouraged” throughout the day and into the night, as periods of whiteout conditions are likely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Across Northern California, more rain and snow are expected throughout the day, and scattered showers could continue into the rest of the week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the Sierra, the National Weather Service is forecasting up to 8 feet of snow on peaks above 3,500 feet, while 1-2 feet could accumulate at lower elevations. Some snowfall is predicted at elevations as low as 1,000 feet in the Sierra and Shasta County.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"Tips\">\u003c/a>Driving safely in rain and strong winds\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>During storms like this, officials typically urge residents to limit unnecessary travel and stay home if at all possible during weather events like these, citing the potential dangers presented by downed trees and power lines in addition to flooding.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How should I change my driving style during rain and winds?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you must drive, do it much more slowly and cautiously than usual, while:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Using your headlights\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Turning off cruise control\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Maintaining a firm grip on the steering wheel\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Leaving twice as much space between your vehicle and the one in front of it (wet roads might mean it takes longer to stop)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Staying alert for debris on the road.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What do I do if my car begins to hydroplane on a wet road?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>First off, remain calm — and don’t slam on the brakes\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Ease off the gas\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Steer in the direction you want to go …\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>… and very lightly pump the brakes until you regain traction.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What if I approach a flooded road?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Always turn around rather than driving through a flooded area — as little as 6 inches of water is enough to disable or stall a small car, while 12 inches can sweep away a vehicle. Don’t assume you know the depth of a pool of water or the conditions of the road underneath it, especially at night.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If floodwaters begin to rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground on foot. According to the California Department of Water Resources, more people become trapped and die in their vehicles than anywhere else during a flood.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>Driving safely in snowy conditions\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Be sure to take weather warnings for the Sierra Nevada seriously, as winter storms can sometimes make travel virtually impossible — and genuinely dangerous. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11937204/lake-tahoe-weather-forecast-road-conditions-snow-chains#snowroadclosures\">Read more on how to check the weather forecast and travel warnings.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11937339\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut.jpg\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11937339\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003c/a>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A snowplow clears debris from the road to Stateline, Nevada on Nov. 8, 2022. A winter Storm warning in is effect for Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada. \u003ccite>(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If you must drive in these conditions:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Carry chains\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to making sure your vehicle’s in good working order (including brakes, wipers and heater), you’ll need to carry chains, which are fitted onto the tires of a vehicle’s drive wheels to offer more traction on snowy and icy roads. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11937204/lake-tahoe-weather-forecast-road-conditions-snow-chains#chaincontroltahoe\">Read more about when chain control is declared in the Tahoe region and how to fit chains onto your car.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Fuel up\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Make sure you also have as much fuel as possible at all times, as you could be delayed or even held on the road, which will burn up the fuel in your tank. Gaining elevation as you ascend into the mountains will also use more gas.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Use Caltrans’ QuickMap \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Caltrans’ \u003ca href=\"https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/QM/app.htm\">QuickMap app (available on the App Store and Google Play)\u003c/a>, and also in \u003ca href=\"https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/\">web form,\u003c/a> will show you the latest road conditions and travel information, including chain controls, snowplows on the roads and closures.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pack for getting stuck\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Make sure your vehicles contains emergency items including:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Food and water\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Warm blankets\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Extra clothing\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>A shovel, in case you need to dig your vehicle out of snow\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>An ice scraper.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Take it slow\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You’ll see the words “Ice and snow, take it slow” on road signs in Tahoe, and you should heed the advice — especially in areas with chain control, which is in effect for a reason.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Leave far more braking distance between you and the car ahead than you normally would. If cars behind you are clearly trying to go much faster than you, pull over when it’s safe to do so, and let them pass. Read \u003ca href=\"https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips\">Caltrans’ list of winter driving tips\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Know how to correct a skid\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There are \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+get+out+of+skid\">many video tutorials online demonstrating how to control and correct a skid\u003c/a>. It’s a good idea to watch a few of them so you can see what the advice for correcting a skid — \u003ca href=\"https://www.aarp.org/auto/driver-safety/the-car-skids-what-you-should-do/\">take your feet off the pedals and turn into the direction you want to go\u003c/a> — looks like in action.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Be aware of the ice risk especially posed by roads that are shaded by the sun — and also on \u003ca href=\"https://www.forbes.com/sites/marshallshepherd/2017/12/19/the-science-of-why-bridges-ice-before-roads/?sh=194a49857cd0\">bridges, which freeze faster than the road before and after them\u003c/a> owing to the air underneath.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story contains reporting by KQED’s \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/ccabreralomeli\">\u003cem>Carlos Cabrera-Lomelí\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> and \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/esilvers\">\u003cem>Emma Silvers\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem>.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"title": "Going to Tahoe Over the 2026 Presidents Day Weekend? What to Know About Snow, Fog and Travel Windows",
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"content": "\u003cp>After a dry start to the winter, Tahoe is \u003cem>finally \u003c/em>getting some more \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1999949/californias-snowpack-is-shrinking-but-winter-isnt-over-yet\">much-needed snow\u003c/a> — and just in time for the Presidents Day holiday weekend.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But before you head up over Donner Pass or to South Lake Tahoe, be aware that conditions this weekend \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1999982/winter-is-so-back-storms-are-on-the-way-for-the-bay-area-and-sierra-nevada\">might get a little dicey\u003c/a> — with snowstorms potentially lasting more than a week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Not only is the Bay Area expected to see a few inches of rain, but snow is already falling on the Sierra with more on the way on Sunday at lower-than-normal altitudes. All of which spells hazardous driving conditions that could start as low as 5,500 feet, just past Emigrant Gap on Donner Pass.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But the more worrisome news for Tahoe travelers comes later in the weekend, when a second — potentially stronger — storm could bear down on the region on Saturday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And while it might bring a Valentine’s Day gift of powder for skiers and snowboarders, it could also make travel for those getting home from Tahoe on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday quite difficult, Caltrans spokesperson John O’Connell said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/NWSSacramento/status/2022000075061481540\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re one of those traveling to the mountains for the three-day weekend, keep reading for what to know about safety on the roads.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>When will travel around Tahoe be hardest over the Presidents Day weekend?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>“The weather will be worse on the back half of the weekend,” O’Connell said. “If you’re planning on heading back Monday, be prepared, because it’s gonna be a long haul for sure.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That second storm, O’Connell said, could also be colder than the first. That would push the snow level down in altitude, meaning more of your route could have snowy and icy conditions, which could also bring longer chain controls and heavier traffic — on top of the already anticipated overload of holiday weekend travelers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11937340\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11937340 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61931_GettyImages-1244621387-qut.jpg\" alt=\"Snow blanked road with a Hazardous Conditions Ahead sign.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61931_GettyImages-1244621387-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61931_GettyImages-1244621387-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61931_GettyImages-1244621387-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61931_GettyImages-1244621387-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61931_GettyImages-1244621387-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Snow blankets South Lake Tahoe on Nov. 8, 2022. \u003ccite>(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Monday could be a \u003cem>really \u003c/em>rough day coming back from the Sierra,” O’Connell said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>He said heading up early Friday morning is overall the best bet for travelers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/CaltransDist3/status/2021379859881263238\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You might even consider hitting the road early on Saturday, too, when there could be a clear window with less traffic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For anyone heading home during the bigger storm later in the weekend, O’Connell recommends “being patient — because it’s going to be a very long drive.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Prepare for the worst\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Make sure to pack emergency supplies like food, water, warm clothes, phone chargers, and carry a full tank of gas — or charge on an electric vehicle — and chains, O’Connell said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11937204/lake-tahoe-weather-forecast-road-conditions-snow-chains#snowroadclosures\">\u003cstrong>Read our full guide on what to know and bring (including everything you need to know about chain installation) on a snowy Tahoe drive\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11933784\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11933784\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/Tahoe-screenshot.png\" alt=\"A screenshot of trucks driving through the snowy conditions on the road.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1230\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/Tahoe-screenshot.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/Tahoe-screenshot-800x513.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/Tahoe-screenshot-1020x653.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/Tahoe-screenshot-160x103.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/Tahoe-screenshot-1536x984.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A screenshot of trucks driving through the snowy conditions on Interstate 80 at Donner Summit on Dec. 1, 2022. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Caltrans)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“If the snow is heavy and we have spinouts, then we have to hold traffic, and you’re sitting there for a while,” he said. “Just make sure you’re prepared for that.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Especially given the heavier storm later in the weekend, don’t forget shovels and ice scrapers for your car — you don’t want to get snowed in at the ski resort parking lot, on your driveway or outside your hotel.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Check the weather (then check again)\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The best way to know what conditions are like — and whether roads are even open is online — by checking the \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/NWSSacramento\">NWS Sacramento\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/NWSReno\">NWS Reno\u003c/a> X accounts and using \u003ca href=\"https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/\">Caltrans’ QuickMap\u003c/a> app to get real-time road conditions and closures.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11937204/lake-tahoe-weather-forecast-road-conditions-snow-chains#snowroadclosures\">Familiarize yourself with QuickMap now\u003c/a>, at home, to make sure you have all the right filters toggled. And be sure to check the app before setting off on your travels and — if it’s safe to do so — during your journey, as conditions and chain requirements can develop fast in the Tahoe area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11937375\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11937375\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/QuickMap.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/QuickMap.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/QuickMap-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/QuickMap-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/QuickMap-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/QuickMap-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Caltrans’s QuickMap app, showing chain controls, snow plows and more \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Caltrans)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Don’t let warm, sunny and dry conditions in the Bay Area lull you into a false sense of security about the weather you’ll encounter up in the mountains.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Department of Transportation also makes its network of road cameras available for you to monitor road conditions in real time. \u003ca href=\"https://cwwp2.dot.ca.gov/vm/iframemap.htm\">Use the map\u003c/a> to find the area you want, and click/tap on the camera icons to open the live road cam.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://x.com/CaltransDist3\">Caltrans’ social media\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/CHP_Truckee\">Truckee California Highway Patrol accounts\u003c/a> are also updated frequently and are useful to find out about any chain control. And don’t forget that the very resort you’re visiting might have its own delays in opening or hazardous road conditions. You can check their social media accounts or websites for the \u003ca href=\"https://blog.palisadestahoe.com/category/operations/\">latest operations information. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Don’t forget about fog\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Remember: Snow might not be the only hazard on the road.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This winter has also seen an abundance of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11902941/regular-ol-bay-area-fog-or-tule-fog\">tule fog\u003c/a> — a \u003ca href=\"https://www.weather.gov/safety/fog-radiation\">low radiation fog\u003c/a> that forms from the ground up, pronounced “too-lee” — \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12066736/bay-area-stuck-with-unusually-cold-weather-thanks-to-this-naturally-occurring-culprit\">plaguing Central Valley and Bay Area residents\u003c/a> alike.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/NWSSacramento/status/2021928536488260033\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While O’Connell said he doesn’t expect the fog to be too heavy this weekend due to winds, “fog can kind of come out of nowhere,” he said, so it can be helpful to brush up on your \u003ca href=\"https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-3/d3-news/d3-news-release-23-137\">safe fog driving tips: \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Drive slower to make sure you can stop in time for unexpected hazards\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Drive with headlights on — \u003ca href=\"https://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/blog/driving/driving-in-fog-high-beams-low-beams/\">low beams only\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Be extra careful in intersections, and roll down your window to hear if necessary\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Use your windshield wipers and defrost setting to clear away moisture\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Pay attention to the white lines on the road — those are called “\u003ca href=\"https://x.com/CaltransD2/status/1209518928499625985\">fog lines\u003c/a>” and can help keep you in the roadway\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/carlysevern\">\u003cem>Carly Severn\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>After a dry start to the winter, Tahoe is \u003cem>finally \u003c/em>getting some more \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1999949/californias-snowpack-is-shrinking-but-winter-isnt-over-yet\">much-needed snow\u003c/a> — and just in time for the Presidents Day holiday weekend.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But before you head up over Donner Pass or to South Lake Tahoe, be aware that conditions this weekend \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1999982/winter-is-so-back-storms-are-on-the-way-for-the-bay-area-and-sierra-nevada\">might get a little dicey\u003c/a> — with snowstorms potentially lasting more than a week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Not only is the Bay Area expected to see a few inches of rain, but snow is already falling on the Sierra with more on the way on Sunday at lower-than-normal altitudes. All of which spells hazardous driving conditions that could start as low as 5,500 feet, just past Emigrant Gap on Donner Pass.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But the more worrisome news for Tahoe travelers comes later in the weekend, when a second — potentially stronger — storm could bear down on the region on Saturday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And while it might bring a Valentine’s Day gift of powder for skiers and snowboarders, it could also make travel for those getting home from Tahoe on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday quite difficult, Caltrans spokesperson John O’Connell said.\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>If you’re one of those traveling to the mountains for the three-day weekend, keep reading for what to know about safety on the roads.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>When will travel around Tahoe be hardest over the Presidents Day weekend?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>“The weather will be worse on the back half of the weekend,” O’Connell said. “If you’re planning on heading back Monday, be prepared, because it’s gonna be a long haul for sure.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That second storm, O’Connell said, could also be colder than the first. That would push the snow level down in altitude, meaning more of your route could have snowy and icy conditions, which could also bring longer chain controls and heavier traffic — on top of the already anticipated overload of holiday weekend travelers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11937340\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11937340 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61931_GettyImages-1244621387-qut.jpg\" alt=\"Snow blanked road with a Hazardous Conditions Ahead sign.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61931_GettyImages-1244621387-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61931_GettyImages-1244621387-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61931_GettyImages-1244621387-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61931_GettyImages-1244621387-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61931_GettyImages-1244621387-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Snow blankets South Lake Tahoe on Nov. 8, 2022. \u003ccite>(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Monday could be a \u003cem>really \u003c/em>rough day coming back from the Sierra,” O’Connell said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>He said heading up early Friday morning is overall the best bet for travelers.\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>You might even consider hitting the road early on Saturday, too, when there could be a clear window with less traffic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For anyone heading home during the bigger storm later in the weekend, O’Connell recommends “being patient — because it’s going to be a very long drive.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Prepare for the worst\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Make sure to pack emergency supplies like food, water, warm clothes, phone chargers, and carry a full tank of gas — or charge on an electric vehicle — and chains, O’Connell said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11937204/lake-tahoe-weather-forecast-road-conditions-snow-chains#snowroadclosures\">\u003cstrong>Read our full guide on what to know and bring (including everything you need to know about chain installation) on a snowy Tahoe drive\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11933784\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11933784\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/Tahoe-screenshot.png\" alt=\"A screenshot of trucks driving through the snowy conditions on the road.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1230\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/Tahoe-screenshot.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/Tahoe-screenshot-800x513.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/Tahoe-screenshot-1020x653.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/Tahoe-screenshot-160x103.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/Tahoe-screenshot-1536x984.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A screenshot of trucks driving through the snowy conditions on Interstate 80 at Donner Summit on Dec. 1, 2022. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Caltrans)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“If the snow is heavy and we have spinouts, then we have to hold traffic, and you’re sitting there for a while,” he said. “Just make sure you’re prepared for that.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Especially given the heavier storm later in the weekend, don’t forget shovels and ice scrapers for your car — you don’t want to get snowed in at the ski resort parking lot, on your driveway or outside your hotel.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Check the weather (then check again)\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The best way to know what conditions are like — and whether roads are even open is online — by checking the \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/NWSSacramento\">NWS Sacramento\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/NWSReno\">NWS Reno\u003c/a> X accounts and using \u003ca href=\"https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/\">Caltrans’ QuickMap\u003c/a> app to get real-time road conditions and closures.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11937204/lake-tahoe-weather-forecast-road-conditions-snow-chains#snowroadclosures\">Familiarize yourself with QuickMap now\u003c/a>, at home, to make sure you have all the right filters toggled. And be sure to check the app before setting off on your travels and — if it’s safe to do so — during your journey, as conditions and chain requirements can develop fast in the Tahoe area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11937375\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11937375\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/QuickMap.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/QuickMap.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/QuickMap-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/QuickMap-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/QuickMap-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/QuickMap-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Caltrans’s QuickMap app, showing chain controls, snow plows and more \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Caltrans)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Don’t let warm, sunny and dry conditions in the Bay Area lull you into a false sense of security about the weather you’ll encounter up in the mountains.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Department of Transportation also makes its network of road cameras available for you to monitor road conditions in real time. \u003ca href=\"https://cwwp2.dot.ca.gov/vm/iframemap.htm\">Use the map\u003c/a> to find the area you want, and click/tap on the camera icons to open the live road cam.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://x.com/CaltransDist3\">Caltrans’ social media\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/CHP_Truckee\">Truckee California Highway Patrol accounts\u003c/a> are also updated frequently and are useful to find out about any chain control. And don’t forget that the very resort you’re visiting might have its own delays in opening or hazardous road conditions. You can check their social media accounts or websites for the \u003ca href=\"https://blog.palisadestahoe.com/category/operations/\">latest operations information. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Don’t forget about fog\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Remember: Snow might not be the only hazard on the road.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This winter has also seen an abundance of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11902941/regular-ol-bay-area-fog-or-tule-fog\">tule fog\u003c/a> — a \u003ca href=\"https://www.weather.gov/safety/fog-radiation\">low radiation fog\u003c/a> that forms from the ground up, pronounced “too-lee” — \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12066736/bay-area-stuck-with-unusually-cold-weather-thanks-to-this-naturally-occurring-culprit\">plaguing Central Valley and Bay Area residents\u003c/a> alike.\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>While O’Connell said he doesn’t expect the fog to be too heavy this weekend due to winds, “fog can kind of come out of nowhere,” he said, so it can be helpful to brush up on your \u003ca href=\"https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-3/d3-news/d3-news-release-23-137\">safe fog driving tips: \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Drive slower to make sure you can stop in time for unexpected hazards\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Drive with headlights on — \u003ca href=\"https://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/blog/driving/driving-in-fog-high-beams-low-beams/\">low beams only\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Be extra careful in intersections, and roll down your window to hear if necessary\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Use your windshield wipers and defrost setting to clear away moisture\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Pay attention to the white lines on the road — those are called “\u003ca href=\"https://x.com/CaltransD2/status/1209518928499625985\">fog lines\u003c/a>” and can help keep you in the roadway\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/carlysevern\">\u003cem>Carly Severn\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\u003cp>After weeks without rain, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/bay-area-weather\">Bay Area\u003c/a> could see a bit this week. No need to pull out the rain gear too quickly, though — the weather system isn’t expected to end the region’s dry spell just yet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Only light showers are expected through the northern and coastal Bay Area from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Dalton Behringer. But, he said, it could be a foreshadowing of a more stormy February to come.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We do have some hints of some storms coming up for the start of next month,” he said. “Pretty much starting the First of February, there’s a chance for rain.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This week’s showers, which are expected to roll through the North Bay beginning Tuesday evening, could produce measurable rainfall in Sonoma County and down the coast of the Bay Area, through San Francisco and the Peninsula. The rest of the region will likely remain dry after the storm system shifted slightly north, toward Humboldt and Mendocino.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The last few weeks of dry, if chilly, weather have been a welcome reprieve for many in the Bay Area, after a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12068635/bay-area-rain-finally-lets-up-with-colder-temperatures-ahead\">wave of heavy rains\u003c/a> in December and early January dumped record rainfall and led to widespread flooding and power disruptions.[aside postID=news_12070647 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/Photo6Lab.jpeg']The month of steady storms made up for a slow start to the water year, delivering more than 6 feet of snow to the Sierra, where ski resorts had delayed openings for weeks. The region’s snowpack jumped \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/northern-california-snowpack-50-percent-of-average-21269906.php\">600% in the last week of December\u003c/a>, bringing Northern California’s levels to about \u003ca href=\"https://snow.water.ca.gov/\">75% of the annual norm\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s dropped to about 40% in the last few weeks of dry weather, according to California Department of Water Resources’ snow surveys.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Throughout the stop-and-start, the Bay Area’s rainfall totals have also leveled out. San Francisco is at 96% of its annual average, while Petaluma in Sonoma County is around 85%, according to National Weather Service data.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Still, Behringer said, “as long as we don’t stay dry for too long, we are still okay.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It can be kind of typical for us to have a midseason lull,” he said. “It’s hard to say how much longer it’s going to last. There’s still a good chance we could pick up for the rest of the season.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>He said there’s still a good amount of uncertainty regarding any storms on the forecast so far out, but rain is expected over the weekend, and again beginning Feb. 8.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Behringer said weeks of dry weather can raise fire risk, since some of the lighter fuels like brush and grass have started to dry out. But in terms of water supply, most of California’s reservoirs remain unseasonably high: Santa Barbara County’s Cachuma reservoir is at \u003ca href=\"https://cdec.water.ca.gov/resapp/RescondMain\">150% of its historic average\u003c/a> as of Sunday, and Shasta Lake, the state’s largest reservoir, is at \u003ca href=\"https://cdec.water.ca.gov/resapp/RescondMain\">125%\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "After weeks without rain, parts of the Bay Area are expected to see light showers this week. Next month, there are signs of some storms in the forecast.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>After weeks without rain, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/bay-area-weather\">Bay Area\u003c/a> could see a bit this week. No need to pull out the rain gear too quickly, though — the weather system isn’t expected to end the region’s dry spell just yet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Only light showers are expected through the northern and coastal Bay Area from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Dalton Behringer. But, he said, it could be a foreshadowing of a more stormy February to come.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We do have some hints of some storms coming up for the start of next month,” he said. “Pretty much starting the First of February, there’s a chance for rain.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This week’s showers, which are expected to roll through the North Bay beginning Tuesday evening, could produce measurable rainfall in Sonoma County and down the coast of the Bay Area, through San Francisco and the Peninsula. The rest of the region will likely remain dry after the storm system shifted slightly north, toward Humboldt and Mendocino.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The last few weeks of dry, if chilly, weather have been a welcome reprieve for many in the Bay Area, after a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12068635/bay-area-rain-finally-lets-up-with-colder-temperatures-ahead\">wave of heavy rains\u003c/a> in December and early January dumped record rainfall and led to widespread flooding and power disruptions.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>The month of steady storms made up for a slow start to the water year, delivering more than 6 feet of snow to the Sierra, where ski resorts had delayed openings for weeks. The region’s snowpack jumped \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/northern-california-snowpack-50-percent-of-average-21269906.php\">600% in the last week of December\u003c/a>, bringing Northern California’s levels to about \u003ca href=\"https://snow.water.ca.gov/\">75% of the annual norm\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s dropped to about 40% in the last few weeks of dry weather, according to California Department of Water Resources’ snow surveys.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Throughout the stop-and-start, the Bay Area’s rainfall totals have also leveled out. San Francisco is at 96% of its annual average, while Petaluma in Sonoma County is around 85%, according to National Weather Service data.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Still, Behringer said, “as long as we don’t stay dry for too long, we are still okay.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It can be kind of typical for us to have a midseason lull,” he said. “It’s hard to say how much longer it’s going to last. There’s still a good chance we could pick up for the rest of the season.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>He said there’s still a good amount of uncertainty regarding any storms on the forecast so far out, but rain is expected over the weekend, and again beginning Feb. 8.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Behringer said weeks of dry weather can raise fire risk, since some of the lighter fuels like brush and grass have started to dry out. But in terms of water supply, most of California’s reservoirs remain unseasonably high: Santa Barbara County’s Cachuma reservoir is at \u003ca href=\"https://cdec.water.ca.gov/resapp/RescondMain\">150% of its historic average\u003c/a> as of Sunday, and Shasta Lake, the state’s largest reservoir, is at \u003ca href=\"https://cdec.water.ca.gov/resapp/RescondMain\">125%\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\u003cp>After weeks of on-and-off rainfall across the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/bay-area\">Bay Area\u003c/a>, clear skies appear to be on the horizon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Monday’s showers seem to be the last of a series of storms that have blown through the region \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12068281/bay-area-braces-for-storm-that-could-become-a-rare-bomb-cyclone-ahead-of-holiday-travel\">since just before Christmas\u003c/a>, accompanied by widespread flooding, power outages and — finally — snow in the Sierras.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While the dryer conditions might be a welcome reprieve, National Weather Service meteorologist Roger Gass said they’ll be accompanied by a return of the chilly temperatures that marked early December’s forecast.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Temperatures will turn colder,” he said. “We will see 30s return to the North Bay valleys and the city [San Francisco] itself will be generally in the mid -to-lower 40s, beginning on about Thursday morning.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since mid-December, the Bay Area has been hit with significant rainfall, with totals upwards of 130% of annual averages for this time of year in some parts of the Bay Area, according to the National Weather Service.[aside postID=news_12068616 hero='https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2021/10/GettyImages-1348762301-1020x680.jpg']The weather has led to road closures and widespread flooding in Marin, Sonoma, San Mateo and San Francisco counties this weekend, as the rainfall coincides with \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1999461/king-tides-to-flood-bay-area-shorelines-this-week-heres-where-and-when-to-safely-see-them\">historic king tides\u003c/a> across the Bay Area. Storms over the holidays also sparked flash flood warnings, downed trees and poles and caused power outages throughout the region.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lake Tahoe’s snowpack has also caught up with its usual numbers after a slow start to the season. While some ski resorts in Lake Tahoe had delayed their opening this season due to dry conditions through mid-December, over the Christmas week, more than \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DSx3wdmEhCD/\">6 feet \u003c/a>of snow fell on slopes across the sierras.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The latest storm has dropped another 4 feet of fresh powder at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort near Truckee over the last three days, according to National Weather Service Meteorologist Jeffrey Wood.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Although the next week or so looks pretty dry, he said the snow that’s accumulated in recent storms has built a pretty solid foundation — and is expected to stay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We have now reached the median snowfall for the 2026 water year,” Wood told KQED. “All it took was a couple of cooler storms to get the snow to pile up.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The median snowfall for Jan. 5 is 115.55 inches. As of today, 2026’s total is 115.75, according to Wood.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So doing pretty good, right on par there,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "After weeks of storms and flooding, forecasters expect the Bay Area’s weather to dry out and return to a wintry chill.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>After weeks of on-and-off rainfall across the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/bay-area\">Bay Area\u003c/a>, clear skies appear to be on the horizon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Monday’s showers seem to be the last of a series of storms that have blown through the region \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12068281/bay-area-braces-for-storm-that-could-become-a-rare-bomb-cyclone-ahead-of-holiday-travel\">since just before Christmas\u003c/a>, accompanied by widespread flooding, power outages and — finally — snow in the Sierras.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While the dryer conditions might be a welcome reprieve, National Weather Service meteorologist Roger Gass said they’ll be accompanied by a return of the chilly temperatures that marked early December’s forecast.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Temperatures will turn colder,” he said. “We will see 30s return to the North Bay valleys and the city [San Francisco] itself will be generally in the mid -to-lower 40s, beginning on about Thursday morning.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since mid-December, the Bay Area has been hit with significant rainfall, with totals upwards of 130% of annual averages for this time of year in some parts of the Bay Area, according to the National Weather Service.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>The weather has led to road closures and widespread flooding in Marin, Sonoma, San Mateo and San Francisco counties this weekend, as the rainfall coincides with \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1999461/king-tides-to-flood-bay-area-shorelines-this-week-heres-where-and-when-to-safely-see-them\">historic king tides\u003c/a> across the Bay Area. Storms over the holidays also sparked flash flood warnings, downed trees and poles and caused power outages throughout the region.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lake Tahoe’s snowpack has also caught up with its usual numbers after a slow start to the season. While some ski resorts in Lake Tahoe had delayed their opening this season due to dry conditions through mid-December, over the Christmas week, more than \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DSx3wdmEhCD/\">6 feet \u003c/a>of snow fell on slopes across the sierras.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The latest storm has dropped another 4 feet of fresh powder at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort near Truckee over the last three days, according to National Weather Service Meteorologist Jeffrey Wood.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Although the next week or so looks pretty dry, he said the snow that’s accumulated in recent storms has built a pretty solid foundation — and is expected to stay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We have now reached the median snowfall for the 2026 water year,” Wood told KQED. “All it took was a couple of cooler storms to get the snow to pile up.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The median snowfall for Jan. 5 is 115.55 inches. As of today, 2026’s total is 115.75, according to Wood.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So doing pretty good, right on par there,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more",
"title": "Stay Safe During Bay Area Storms: Tips for Flooding, Power Outages and Winds",
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"content": "\u003cp>The rain and wind are back just in time \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1999678/bay-area-you-just-might-have-yourself-a-soggy-rainy-christmas\">for the holidays\u003c/a>. The Bay Area is experiencing \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1999695/3-storms-will-bring-much-needed-rain-to-bay-area-and-snow-in-the-sierras\">a series of storms\u003c/a> as part of a weeklong atmospheric river moving over Northern California that will last through the rest of the week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The National Weather Service has announced a flood watch — meaning conditions are favorable for flooding — for all nine Bay Area counties, the Central Coast and the San Joaquin Valley starting Tuesday at 10 a.m. and currently scheduled to end on Friday night. A flood advisory — which means minor flooding is already happening or likely to happen soon — has already \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/NWSBayArea/status/2003029485239894135\">been announced\u003c/a> for central Sonoma and western Napa counties, including Santa Rosa, Sebastopol and Cotati, through early Wednesday morning.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/NWSBayArea/status/2003071020127707458\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We really have several waves of potentially strong to moderate showers and thunderstorms, and along with that, we’re going to have very strong winds at the highest peaks,” said Joe Merchant, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Communities closest to the Bay — including San Francisco and Richmond — have already seen \u003ca href=\"https://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/precipMaps.php?group=sf&hour=24&synoptic=0\">over 2 inches of rain\u003c/a> in the past 24 hours. Hundreds of families in San Francisco’s eastern and northern neighborhoods are preparing for incoming storms while still waiting for their power to come back following Saturday’s massive power outage that at its peak plunged more than 130,000 households and businesses \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12068205/pge-gives-monday-afternoon-deadline-for-full-power-restoration-after-huge-outage\">into darkness\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What is an atmospheric river?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>An \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1935067/rivers-in-the-sky-what-you-need-to-know-about-atmospheric-river-storms\">atmospheric river\u003c/a> is a kind of weather system that brings trillions of gallons of water vapor from the Pacific Ocean to California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In 2023, storms brought \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/weather/article/bay-area-flooding-storm-rain-17853528.php\">flooding as well as extreme winds\u003c/a>, and claimed the lives of at least five people around the Bay Area. Before that, another winter storm caused the Pajaro River on the border of Monterey and Santa Cruz counties to breach a levee, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11943316/pajaro-river-levee-breached-where-to-find-evacuation-shelters\">flooding the Pajaro River Valley\u003c/a>, prompting rescues and placing more than 8,500 people under evacuation orders and warnings.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>During these kinds of weather events, knowing how to prepare for the worst — and how to cope if you’re directly affected — is crucial. Bay Area officials are routinely urging residents to prepare before the next big rainstorm arrives, providing free sandbags, sharing information on \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11937459/does-your-insurance-plan-cover-flood-and-storm-damage\">flood insurance\u003c/a> and more.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading to learn when the biggest weather impacts will hit the Bay Area, how to safeguard your home from flooding and how to cope with power outages caused by the storm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#start\">How should I prepare my home for a storm?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#sandbags\">Where can I get free sandbags?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#poweroutages\">How can I be ready for potential power outages?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#driving\">What are best practices for driving in heavy rain and wind?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#updates\">How can I receive updates about my area?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"start\">\u003c/a>How should I start preparing?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>First up, understand just how much you — and your home — could be affected by another storm of this magnitude.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Previous storms in the Bay Area have knocked down trees, flooded roads and cut power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses, and contributed to several deaths. Winds have also previously forced the cancellation of flights at local airports including San Francisco International Airport.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Flooding could mean you have to evacuate your home, or live without crucial services for an extended period. Besides flashlights, experts recommend having \u003ca href=\"https://www.ready.gov/floods#prepare\">an emergency supply kit\u003c/a> ready in both your home and car — should you need to evacuate — that includes nonperishable foods, necessary medications, cleaning supplies and water for several days, in case services are cut off in your area. You can also include \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11833686/what-to-pack-in-your-emergency-bag-with-covid-19-in-mind\">a copy of your ID, charging cables for your cellphone\u003c/a> and a portable cellphone battery pack.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Previous storms in the Bay Area have resulted in power outages that affected over 100,000 \u003ca href=\"https://pgealerts.alerts.pge.com/outagecenter/\">PG&E customers\u003c/a>. \u003ca href=\"#poweroutages\">Read more about preparing your home for a potential power outage \u003c/a>in this next storm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11937690\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1620px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11937690\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/5D65DA1F-1731-42C5-834B-6BA5B80BEF7F.jpg\" alt=\"two people in raincoats stand in shin deep water as they try to clear a drain on a city street in San Francisco\" width=\"1620\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/5D65DA1F-1731-42C5-834B-6BA5B80BEF7F.jpg 1620w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/5D65DA1F-1731-42C5-834B-6BA5B80BEF7F-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/5D65DA1F-1731-42C5-834B-6BA5B80BEF7F-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/5D65DA1F-1731-42C5-834B-6BA5B80BEF7F-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/5D65DA1F-1731-42C5-834B-6BA5B80BEF7F-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1620px) 100vw, 1620px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Two Mission District residents work to open a clogged drain on Mission and 21st streets in San Francisco on Jan. 10, 2023. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>[aside postID=\"news_11833686\" hero=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2020/08/pexels-dids-1986996-1-1020x680-1.jpg\"]If your home experienced flooding during previous storms this year — or in storms from years past — officials recommend having sandbags, plastic sheeting and other flood control materials ready. Counties, public utilities and even community organizations across the Bay Area are distributing free sandbags. Keep in mind that some distribution sites, like those in San Francisco and San José, may ask you to show ID to prove you are a resident. \u003ca href=\"#sandbags\">Learn more about where to find sandbags.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bay Area officials have also doubled down on efforts to keep waterways and storm drains clear to reduce the risk of flooding in residential areas. Both \u003ca href=\"https://www.oaklandca.gov/services/adopt-a-drain\">Oakland\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://sfpuc.org/learning/how-you-can-help/adopt-drain-sf\">San Francisco\u003c/a> have programs where \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13923319/you-can-adopt-a-drain-in-san-francisco-with-naming-rights-included\">residents can “adopt” a storm drain in their community\u003c/a> and help remove leaves and other debris.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/valleywater/status/2002046551019950242\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>FEMA also has created a tool that tracks which parts of a city are under flood risk — and to what extent. You can input your address in the \u003ca href=\"https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home\">FEMA Flood Map Service Center\u003c/a>. Once the map tool locates your address, you can select the “Dynamic Map” option to see a more detailed map that may have certain neighborhoods or blocks color coded to represent flood risk.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you are a homeowner, keep in mind that most home insurance plans do \u003cem>not\u003c/em> cover damage caused by flooding. However, you can buy an additional policy with the \u003ca href=\"https://floodsmart.gov/\">National Flood Insurance Program\u003c/a> through your existing insurance provider. It’s important to mention that if you decide to buy a plan now, there is a 30-day wait period for the benefits to begin, so the policy would not cover damages potentially caused by this week’s storms.\u003cbr>\n[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"sandbags\">\u003c/a>I need sandbags. Where can I get them?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In San Francisco, officials in the past have stressed that only residents who have previously experienced flooding in their homes should seek out the free sandbags provided by city agencies. Additionally, San Mateo County has added on its emergency preparation website that \u003ca href=\"https://www.smcgov.org/ceo/news/prepare-now-heavy-rains-and-strong-winds-forecast-san-mateo-county\">sandbags brought out during a previous storm can be reused\u003c/a>.\u003cbr>\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpvVAQ57uqM&t=39s\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Santa Clara Valley Water has \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpvVAQ57uqM&t=39s\">created a helpful video tutorial on how best to place sandbags around a home\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your home has flooded in the past and you’re looking to pick up free sandbags, several options are available. Be aware that some sites may offer bags and sand separately or exclusively, and that you may need to bring your own shovel to some locations. You may also be required to prove county residency with an ID. Be sure to research the site you’re visiting before leaving.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alameda County\u003c/strong>: Residents can pick up sandbags from the offices of the county’s Public Works Agency Buildings and several fire stations. \u003ca href=\"https://www.acpwa.org/prepare-for-winter-storms.page\">Find the site closest to you.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/AlamedaCoFire/status/2002873309680304529\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>City of Berkeley\u003c/strong>: Berkeley residents and businesses can get up to five sandbags with an ID or business card, from the City of Berkeley Corporation Yard (located on 1326 Allston Way, \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/CityofBerkeley/status/1611392275065470985\">open 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday–Friday\u003c/a>).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/CityofBerkeley/status/1633903641701806080\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Contra Costa County\u003c/strong>: Each city in Contra Costa County has its own sandbag pickup locations. \u003ca href=\"https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/55575/Sandbag-City-Contacts-11-20-18-PDF?bidId=\">You can find the contact information for your city’s sandbag distribution site here (PDF).\u003c/a> Additionally, if you live in an unincorporated part of the county,\u003ca href=\"https://contracosta.ca.gov/5976/Sandbags\"> six additional locations are available\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marin County\u003c/strong>: Marin County has a list of both government-provided locations and commercial/retail options for sandbags.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://emergency.marincounty.org/pages/flooding#sandbags\">Where to find sandbags in Marin County\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Napa County\u003c/strong>: In addition to the county-run sandbag locations below, Napa County also recommends residents of American Canyon, Napa, St. Helena, Calistoga and Yountville \u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/DocumentCenter/View/20444/2023-Sandbag-Locations-PDF?bidId=\">contact their city directly for sandbag locations and availability (PDF)\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/NWSBayArea/status/2003029485239894135\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>San Francisco\u003c/strong>: The city’s public works agency is offering up to 10 sandbags per resident at its Operations Yard (located on the corner of Marin and Kansas, near Cesar Chavez). The site is open \u003ca href=\"https://sfpublicworks.org/services/sandbags\">Monday to Saturday\u003c/a>, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and staff will ask you to present an ID with a valid San Francisco address.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>San Mateo County\u003c/strong>: San Mateo County offers a limit of 15 premade sandbags per resident. \u003ca href=\"https://www.smcgov.org/publicworks/storm-preparedness\">Where to find sandbags in San Mateo County\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Santa Clara County: \u003c/strong>Santa Clara County residents can pick up free sandbags from \u003ca href=\"https://www.valleywater.org/flooding-safety/flood-ready/sandbags\">several locations managed by Santa Clara Valley Water\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Solano County\u003c/strong>: All locations are self-serve and require your own shovel. \u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/oes/grs/storm_ready/sandbag_information.asp\">Where to find sandbags in Solano County\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sonoma County\u003c/strong>: Sandbags are available at over 10 locations around the county. \u003ca href=\"https://socoemergency.org/emergency/flooding/sandbags/\">Where to find sandbags in Sonoma County\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"poweroutages\">\u003c/a>How can I be ready for potential power outages?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Flooding, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11944945/a-tree-fell-on-my-car-in-the-bay-area-what-do-i-do\">downed trees\u003c/a> and downed power lines: All of these can create the very real possibility of power outages during a storm like this.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember: It can sometimes take days for PG&E to do safety checks and turn your power back on, particularly if an outage affects a large enough number of people. If you have medical needs that rely on power, consider planning which family members or friends you can stay with during a lengthy power outage. You might also talk to your doctor in advance about how to prepare with medications or mobility needs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Things to have close at hand before a potential power outage\u003c/strong>:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Battery-powered flashlights, ideally one for every household member.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>A supply of fresh batteries.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Portable chargers or battery packs to keep your mobile phone charged.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>LED candles, instead of wax candles, are recommended by PG&E.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>A battery-powered radio to hear updates on storm conditions and outages.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Nonperishable food (think canned goods) and water: The state recommends having enough food and water for every member of your household for three days.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>A thermometer to make sure your food is safe to eat (more on that below).\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Make sure you know exactly where these crucial items are, so you’re not scrambling to find them in the dark.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Other things to do ahead of an outage\u003c/strong>:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Fully charge your cellphone and any portable chargers.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Get cash, as ATMs may not work during a power outage.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Top your vehicle up with a full tank of gas (similarly, gas stations may not be operational during an outage).\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Fill up plastic containers with water and store them in your freezer, which you can use later as ice substitutes to keep food fresh.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Additionally, make sure you and your household all know:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>How to manually open any door in your home or building that requires electricity (think garage doors, apartment complex doors that require key cards).\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>How you’ll communicate in an emergency situation, and not depend on a phone that needs electricity.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>How you’ll operate a generator, if you have one — check ahead of time that the one you have works, and make sure you know \u003ca href=\"https://www.pge.com/en_US/safety/electrical-safety/electric-generator-safety/electric-generator-safety.page\">how to use it safely and eliminate the risk of carbon-monoxide poisoning\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>As always, you should also consider checking on neighbors, especially those who may need assistance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Mouse over or click points on the map below to see all of PG&E’s current power outages, planned or otherwise, along with the number of customers impacted, the cause (if listed), and estimated time of restoration. To see a rough approximation of power outage areas, zoom in on each location.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>All data \u003ca href=\"https://pgealerts.alerts.pge.com/outages/map/\">comes from PG&E\u003c/a>, via the \u003ca href=\"https://gis.data.ca.gov/datasets/CalEMA::power-outage-incidents/about\">California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES)\u003c/a>, and is updated every 15 minutes. Any planned safety outages, known as Public Safety Power Outages (PSPS), will be specifically labeled on the map when they occur.\u003c/p>\n\u003cdiv style=\"width: 100%\" align=\"center\">\n\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr>\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://kqednews.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/basic/index.html?appid=a04a97b02e764b5e94905acaaecf2edc\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:0\" scrolling=\"yes\" class=\"iframe-class\">\u003c/iframe>\n\u003c/div>\n\u003cdiv style=\"width: 94%\" align=\"left\">\u003ci>Map produced by Matthew Green/KQED\u003c/i>\u003c/div>\n\u003cp> \u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What should I do if a power outage hits my home?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Turn off almost all your appliances\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your power goes out, be sure to unplug or turn off any appliances and equipment to prevent damage from surges when the power is restored.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>PG&E recommends keeping one lamp turned to the on position, to alert you when power has returned. You can then turn each appliance back on one by one.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Stay far away from any downed power lines, and report them\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.pge.com/en_US/safety/emergency-preparedness/natural-disaster/storms/storms.page\">If you’re near a downed power line, PG&E advises that you assume it’s energized and dangerous\u003c/a> and stay far away from it. You should:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Make sure that others in your household, especially children, also stay far back from any downed lines.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Call 911 to report the downed power line, and make sure you give the location clearly.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Then call PG&E to report the downed line, at \u003ca href=\"tel:18007435000\">(800) 743-5000\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Keep your food safe and edible during an outage \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Once your power is out, be especially purposeful about when you open your freezer or your refrigerator.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A refrigerator that loses power can keep food cold for about four hours, and a freezer for about 48 hours, if kept closed. Plan to rely on coolers with ice or any water-filled plastic containers you’ve frozen ahead of time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state recommends that during an outage, you monitor food temperatures with a thermometer — and throw out any food that has a temperature of 40 degrees or higher.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re opting to use a camp stove or a grill in the absence of your oven or microwave, you should only use these appliances outdoors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re without power for more than 48 hours, you may qualify for compensation from PG&E. \u003ca href=\"https://www.pge.com/en_US/residential/outages/current-outages/report-view-an-electric-outage/additional-resources/extended-outage-compensation/extended-outage-compensation.page\">Read more about the PG&E Safety Net program\u003c/a>, which offers these payments due to “severe events, like storms.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>A tree fell on my car. Who do I call?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>We have a guide for that. Read our full advice on w\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11944945/a-tree-fell-on-my-car-in-the-bay-area-what-do-i-do\">hat to do if windy storms bring a tree down onto your car (or your house.)\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"driving\">\u003c/a>How can I drive safely in rain and strong winds?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>During these storms, officials urge residents to limit unnecessary travel and stay home if at all possible during weather events like these, citing the potential dangers presented by downed trees and power lines in addition to flooding.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you must drive, use your headlights, turn off cruise control, maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel and drive more slowly and cautiously than usual. Leave twice as much space between your vehicle and the one in front of it; wet roads might mean it takes longer to stop. Be alert for debris on the road. If your car begins to hydroplane, do not slam on the brakes. Remain calm, ease off the gas, steer in the direction you want to go and very lightly pump the brakes until you regain traction.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11936994\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1478px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11936994\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/E2081DCF-BC1D-480F-B27A-DBB7E0C45B3A.jpg\" alt=\"A red car lies abandoned under a flooded underpass with another car submerged behind it.\" width=\"1478\" height=\"985\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/E2081DCF-BC1D-480F-B27A-DBB7E0C45B3A.jpg 1478w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/E2081DCF-BC1D-480F-B27A-DBB7E0C45B3A-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/E2081DCF-BC1D-480F-B27A-DBB7E0C45B3A-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/E2081DCF-BC1D-480F-B27A-DBB7E0C45B3A-160x107.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1478px) 100vw, 1478px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Two cars are stuck in a flooded underpass at 34th and Webster streets in Oakland on Jan. 4, 2023. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If flooding occurs, err on the side of caution. Don’t assume you know the depth of a pool of water or the conditions of the road underneath it, especially at night.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Always turn around rather than driving through a flooded area\u003c/strong> — as few as 6 inches of water is enough to disable or stall a small car, while 12 inches can sweep away a vehicle. If floodwaters begin to rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground on foot. According to the California Department of Water Resources, more people become trapped and die in their vehicles than anywhere else during a flood.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/CaltransHQ/status/1634235193174413312\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"updates\">\u003c/a>How can I receive updates about my area?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you haven’t done so already, sign up to receive emergency weather alerts from your county. County officials use these notifications to inform residents of weather alerts, street and road closures, and evacuation orders. Find your county below:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.acgov.org/emergencysite/\">Alameda County emergency alerts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cityofberkeley.info/EmergencyAlerting/\">City of Berkeley emergency alerts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/2269/Emergency-Alerts-Resources\">Contra Costa County emergency alerts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://emergency.marincounty.org/\">Marin County emergency alerts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/2481/Emergency-Alerts\">Napa County emergency alerts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sf.gov/information/be-know-official-emergency-alerts\">City and County of San Francisco emergency alerts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://cmo.smcgov.org/smc-alert\">San Mateo County emergency alerts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://emergencymanagement.sccgov.org/AlertSCC\">Santa Clara County emergency alerts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/oes/emergency.asp\">Solano County emergency alerts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://socoemergency.org/get-ready/sign-up/\">Sonoma County emergency alerts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>In San Francisco, officials have asked the public to call 311 to report flooding inside homes, instead of 911. “We still have to run all our critical 911 calls whether it’s a cardiac arrest, a car accident or a fire. If you add all these flooding issues \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">…\u003c/span> it can really overtax the system,” Fire Chief Jeanine Nicholson said in January 2023, days before the start of that year’s winter storm system.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So if you have a little bit of flooding in your home, call 311,” she said. “If someone is having a heart attack or if someone is being swept by water, call 911.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>An earlier version of this story was published on Feb 2., 2024. KQED’s Ezra David Romero, Katie DeBenedetti, Danielle Venton, Kevin Stark, Daisy Nguyen and Erin Baldassari contributed to this story.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "More powerful storms are hitting the Bay Area this week. Find free sandbags, prepare homes and receive emergency information ahead of more heavy rain, high-speed winds and potential power outages.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>The rain and wind are back just in time \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1999678/bay-area-you-just-might-have-yourself-a-soggy-rainy-christmas\">for the holidays\u003c/a>. The Bay Area is experiencing \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1999695/3-storms-will-bring-much-needed-rain-to-bay-area-and-snow-in-the-sierras\">a series of storms\u003c/a> as part of a weeklong atmospheric river moving over Northern California that will last through the rest of the week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The National Weather Service has announced a flood watch — meaning conditions are favorable for flooding — for all nine Bay Area counties, the Central Coast and the San Joaquin Valley starting Tuesday at 10 a.m. and currently scheduled to end on Friday night. A flood advisory — which means minor flooding is already happening or likely to happen soon — has already \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/NWSBayArea/status/2003029485239894135\">been announced\u003c/a> for central Sonoma and western Napa counties, including Santa Rosa, Sebastopol and Cotati, through early Wednesday morning.\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>“We really have several waves of potentially strong to moderate showers and thunderstorms, and along with that, we’re going to have very strong winds at the highest peaks,” said Joe Merchant, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Communities closest to the Bay — including San Francisco and Richmond — have already seen \u003ca href=\"https://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/precipMaps.php?group=sf&hour=24&synoptic=0\">over 2 inches of rain\u003c/a> in the past 24 hours. Hundreds of families in San Francisco’s eastern and northern neighborhoods are preparing for incoming storms while still waiting for their power to come back following Saturday’s massive power outage that at its peak plunged more than 130,000 households and businesses \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12068205/pge-gives-monday-afternoon-deadline-for-full-power-restoration-after-huge-outage\">into darkness\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What is an atmospheric river?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>An \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1935067/rivers-in-the-sky-what-you-need-to-know-about-atmospheric-river-storms\">atmospheric river\u003c/a> is a kind of weather system that brings trillions of gallons of water vapor from the Pacific Ocean to California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In 2023, storms brought \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/weather/article/bay-area-flooding-storm-rain-17853528.php\">flooding as well as extreme winds\u003c/a>, and claimed the lives of at least five people around the Bay Area. Before that, another winter storm caused the Pajaro River on the border of Monterey and Santa Cruz counties to breach a levee, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11943316/pajaro-river-levee-breached-where-to-find-evacuation-shelters\">flooding the Pajaro River Valley\u003c/a>, prompting rescues and placing more than 8,500 people under evacuation orders and warnings.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>During these kinds of weather events, knowing how to prepare for the worst — and how to cope if you’re directly affected — is crucial. Bay Area officials are routinely urging residents to prepare before the next big rainstorm arrives, providing free sandbags, sharing information on \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11937459/does-your-insurance-plan-cover-flood-and-storm-damage\">flood insurance\u003c/a> and more.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading to learn when the biggest weather impacts will hit the Bay Area, how to safeguard your home from flooding and how to cope with power outages caused by the storm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#start\">How should I prepare my home for a storm?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#sandbags\">Where can I get free sandbags?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#poweroutages\">How can I be ready for potential power outages?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#driving\">What are best practices for driving in heavy rain and wind?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#updates\">How can I receive updates about my area?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"start\">\u003c/a>How should I start preparing?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>First up, understand just how much you — and your home — could be affected by another storm of this magnitude.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Previous storms in the Bay Area have knocked down trees, flooded roads and cut power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses, and contributed to several deaths. Winds have also previously forced the cancellation of flights at local airports including San Francisco International Airport.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Flooding could mean you have to evacuate your home, or live without crucial services for an extended period. Besides flashlights, experts recommend having \u003ca href=\"https://www.ready.gov/floods#prepare\">an emergency supply kit\u003c/a> ready in both your home and car — should you need to evacuate — that includes nonperishable foods, necessary medications, cleaning supplies and water for several days, in case services are cut off in your area. You can also include \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11833686/what-to-pack-in-your-emergency-bag-with-covid-19-in-mind\">a copy of your ID, charging cables for your cellphone\u003c/a> and a portable cellphone battery pack.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Previous storms in the Bay Area have resulted in power outages that affected over 100,000 \u003ca href=\"https://pgealerts.alerts.pge.com/outagecenter/\">PG&E customers\u003c/a>. \u003ca href=\"#poweroutages\">Read more about preparing your home for a potential power outage \u003c/a>in this next storm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11937690\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1620px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11937690\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/5D65DA1F-1731-42C5-834B-6BA5B80BEF7F.jpg\" alt=\"two people in raincoats stand in shin deep water as they try to clear a drain on a city street in San Francisco\" width=\"1620\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/5D65DA1F-1731-42C5-834B-6BA5B80BEF7F.jpg 1620w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/5D65DA1F-1731-42C5-834B-6BA5B80BEF7F-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/5D65DA1F-1731-42C5-834B-6BA5B80BEF7F-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/5D65DA1F-1731-42C5-834B-6BA5B80BEF7F-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/5D65DA1F-1731-42C5-834B-6BA5B80BEF7F-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1620px) 100vw, 1620px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Two Mission District residents work to open a clogged drain on Mission and 21st streets in San Francisco on Jan. 10, 2023. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>If your home experienced flooding during previous storms this year — or in storms from years past — officials recommend having sandbags, plastic sheeting and other flood control materials ready. Counties, public utilities and even community organizations across the Bay Area are distributing free sandbags. Keep in mind that some distribution sites, like those in San Francisco and San José, may ask you to show ID to prove you are a resident. \u003ca href=\"#sandbags\">Learn more about where to find sandbags.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Bay Area officials have also doubled down on efforts to keep waterways and storm drains clear to reduce the risk of flooding in residential areas. Both \u003ca href=\"https://www.oaklandca.gov/services/adopt-a-drain\">Oakland\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://sfpuc.org/learning/how-you-can-help/adopt-drain-sf\">San Francisco\u003c/a> have programs where \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13923319/you-can-adopt-a-drain-in-san-francisco-with-naming-rights-included\">residents can “adopt” a storm drain in their community\u003c/a> and help remove leaves and other debris.\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>FEMA also has created a tool that tracks which parts of a city are under flood risk — and to what extent. You can input your address in the \u003ca href=\"https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home\">FEMA Flood Map Service Center\u003c/a>. Once the map tool locates your address, you can select the “Dynamic Map” option to see a more detailed map that may have certain neighborhoods or blocks color coded to represent flood risk.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you are a homeowner, keep in mind that most home insurance plans do \u003cem>not\u003c/em> cover damage caused by flooding. However, you can buy an additional policy with the \u003ca href=\"https://floodsmart.gov/\">National Flood Insurance Program\u003c/a> through your existing insurance provider. It’s important to mention that if you decide to buy a plan now, there is a 30-day wait period for the benefits to begin, so the policy would not cover damages potentially caused by this week’s storms.\u003cbr>\n\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"sandbags\">\u003c/a>I need sandbags. Where can I get them?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In San Francisco, officials in the past have stressed that only residents who have previously experienced flooding in their homes should seek out the free sandbags provided by city agencies. Additionally, San Mateo County has added on its emergency preparation website that \u003ca href=\"https://www.smcgov.org/ceo/news/prepare-now-heavy-rains-and-strong-winds-forecast-san-mateo-county\">sandbags brought out during a previous storm can be reused\u003c/a>.\u003cbr>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutube'>\n \u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutubeInside'>\n \u003ciframe\n loading='lazy'\n class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__youtubePlayer'\n type='text/html'\n src='//www.youtube.com/embed/GpvVAQ57uqM'\n title='//www.youtube.com/embed/GpvVAQ57uqM'\n allowfullscreen='true'\n style='border:0;'>\u003c/iframe>\n \u003c/span>\n \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cp>Santa Clara Valley Water has \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpvVAQ57uqM&t=39s\">created a helpful video tutorial on how best to place sandbags around a home\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your home has flooded in the past and you’re looking to pick up free sandbags, several options are available. Be aware that some sites may offer bags and sand separately or exclusively, and that you may need to bring your own shovel to some locations. You may also be required to prove county residency with an ID. Be sure to research the site you’re visiting before leaving.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Alameda County\u003c/strong>: Residents can pick up sandbags from the offices of the county’s Public Works Agency Buildings and several fire stations. \u003ca href=\"https://www.acpwa.org/prepare-for-winter-storms.page\">Find the site closest to you.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>City of Berkeley\u003c/strong>: Berkeley residents and businesses can get up to five sandbags with an ID or business card, from the City of Berkeley Corporation Yard (located on 1326 Allston Way, \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/CityofBerkeley/status/1611392275065470985\">open 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday–Friday\u003c/a>).\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Contra Costa County\u003c/strong>: Each city in Contra Costa County has its own sandbag pickup locations. \u003ca href=\"https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/55575/Sandbag-City-Contacts-11-20-18-PDF?bidId=\">You can find the contact information for your city’s sandbag distribution site here (PDF).\u003c/a> Additionally, if you live in an unincorporated part of the county,\u003ca href=\"https://contracosta.ca.gov/5976/Sandbags\"> six additional locations are available\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marin County\u003c/strong>: Marin County has a list of both government-provided locations and commercial/retail options for sandbags.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://emergency.marincounty.org/pages/flooding#sandbags\">Where to find sandbags in Marin County\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Napa County\u003c/strong>: In addition to the county-run sandbag locations below, Napa County also recommends residents of American Canyon, Napa, St. Helena, Calistoga and Yountville \u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/DocumentCenter/View/20444/2023-Sandbag-Locations-PDF?bidId=\">contact their city directly for sandbag locations and availability (PDF)\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>San Francisco\u003c/strong>: The city’s public works agency is offering up to 10 sandbags per resident at its Operations Yard (located on the corner of Marin and Kansas, near Cesar Chavez). The site is open \u003ca href=\"https://sfpublicworks.org/services/sandbags\">Monday to Saturday\u003c/a>, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and staff will ask you to present an ID with a valid San Francisco address.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>San Mateo County\u003c/strong>: San Mateo County offers a limit of 15 premade sandbags per resident. \u003ca href=\"https://www.smcgov.org/publicworks/storm-preparedness\">Where to find sandbags in San Mateo County\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Santa Clara County: \u003c/strong>Santa Clara County residents can pick up free sandbags from \u003ca href=\"https://www.valleywater.org/flooding-safety/flood-ready/sandbags\">several locations managed by Santa Clara Valley Water\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Solano County\u003c/strong>: All locations are self-serve and require your own shovel. \u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/oes/grs/storm_ready/sandbag_information.asp\">Where to find sandbags in Solano County\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sonoma County\u003c/strong>: Sandbags are available at over 10 locations around the county. \u003ca href=\"https://socoemergency.org/emergency/flooding/sandbags/\">Where to find sandbags in Sonoma County\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"poweroutages\">\u003c/a>How can I be ready for potential power outages?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Flooding, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11944945/a-tree-fell-on-my-car-in-the-bay-area-what-do-i-do\">downed trees\u003c/a> and downed power lines: All of these can create the very real possibility of power outages during a storm like this.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember: It can sometimes take days for PG&E to do safety checks and turn your power back on, particularly if an outage affects a large enough number of people. If you have medical needs that rely on power, consider planning which family members or friends you can stay with during a lengthy power outage. You might also talk to your doctor in advance about how to prepare with medications or mobility needs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Things to have close at hand before a potential power outage\u003c/strong>:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Battery-powered flashlights, ideally one for every household member.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>A supply of fresh batteries.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Portable chargers or battery packs to keep your mobile phone charged.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>LED candles, instead of wax candles, are recommended by PG&E.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>A battery-powered radio to hear updates on storm conditions and outages.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Nonperishable food (think canned goods) and water: The state recommends having enough food and water for every member of your household for three days.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>A thermometer to make sure your food is safe to eat (more on that below).\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Make sure you know exactly where these crucial items are, so you’re not scrambling to find them in the dark.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Other things to do ahead of an outage\u003c/strong>:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Fully charge your cellphone and any portable chargers.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Get cash, as ATMs may not work during a power outage.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Top your vehicle up with a full tank of gas (similarly, gas stations may not be operational during an outage).\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Fill up plastic containers with water and store them in your freezer, which you can use later as ice substitutes to keep food fresh.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Additionally, make sure you and your household all know:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>How to manually open any door in your home or building that requires electricity (think garage doors, apartment complex doors that require key cards).\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>How you’ll communicate in an emergency situation, and not depend on a phone that needs electricity.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>How you’ll operate a generator, if you have one — check ahead of time that the one you have works, and make sure you know \u003ca href=\"https://www.pge.com/en_US/safety/electrical-safety/electric-generator-safety/electric-generator-safety.page\">how to use it safely and eliminate the risk of carbon-monoxide poisoning\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>As always, you should also consider checking on neighbors, especially those who may need assistance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Mouse over or click points on the map below to see all of PG&E’s current power outages, planned or otherwise, along with the number of customers impacted, the cause (if listed), and estimated time of restoration. To see a rough approximation of power outage areas, zoom in on each location.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>All data \u003ca href=\"https://pgealerts.alerts.pge.com/outages/map/\">comes from PG&E\u003c/a>, via the \u003ca href=\"https://gis.data.ca.gov/datasets/CalEMA::power-outage-incidents/about\">California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES)\u003c/a>, and is updated every 15 minutes. Any planned safety outages, known as Public Safety Power Outages (PSPS), will be specifically labeled on the map when they occur.\u003c/p>\n\u003cdiv style=\"width: 100%\" align=\"center\">\n\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr>\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://kqednews.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/basic/index.html?appid=a04a97b02e764b5e94905acaaecf2edc\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:0\" scrolling=\"yes\" class=\"iframe-class\">\u003c/iframe>\n\u003c/div>\n\u003cdiv style=\"width: 94%\" align=\"left\">\u003ci>Map produced by Matthew Green/KQED\u003c/i>\u003c/div>\n\u003cp> \u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What should I do if a power outage hits my home?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Turn off almost all your appliances\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your power goes out, be sure to unplug or turn off any appliances and equipment to prevent damage from surges when the power is restored.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>PG&E recommends keeping one lamp turned to the on position, to alert you when power has returned. You can then turn each appliance back on one by one.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Stay far away from any downed power lines, and report them\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.pge.com/en_US/safety/emergency-preparedness/natural-disaster/storms/storms.page\">If you’re near a downed power line, PG&E advises that you assume it’s energized and dangerous\u003c/a> and stay far away from it. You should:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Make sure that others in your household, especially children, also stay far back from any downed lines.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Call 911 to report the downed power line, and make sure you give the location clearly.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Then call PG&E to report the downed line, at \u003ca href=\"tel:18007435000\">(800) 743-5000\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Keep your food safe and edible during an outage \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Once your power is out, be especially purposeful about when you open your freezer or your refrigerator.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A refrigerator that loses power can keep food cold for about four hours, and a freezer for about 48 hours, if kept closed. Plan to rely on coolers with ice or any water-filled plastic containers you’ve frozen ahead of time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state recommends that during an outage, you monitor food temperatures with a thermometer — and throw out any food that has a temperature of 40 degrees or higher.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re opting to use a camp stove or a grill in the absence of your oven or microwave, you should only use these appliances outdoors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re without power for more than 48 hours, you may qualify for compensation from PG&E. \u003ca href=\"https://www.pge.com/en_US/residential/outages/current-outages/report-view-an-electric-outage/additional-resources/extended-outage-compensation/extended-outage-compensation.page\">Read more about the PG&E Safety Net program\u003c/a>, which offers these payments due to “severe events, like storms.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>A tree fell on my car. Who do I call?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>We have a guide for that. Read our full advice on w\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11944945/a-tree-fell-on-my-car-in-the-bay-area-what-do-i-do\">hat to do if windy storms bring a tree down onto your car (or your house.)\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"driving\">\u003c/a>How can I drive safely in rain and strong winds?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>During these storms, officials urge residents to limit unnecessary travel and stay home if at all possible during weather events like these, citing the potential dangers presented by downed trees and power lines in addition to flooding.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you must drive, use your headlights, turn off cruise control, maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel and drive more slowly and cautiously than usual. Leave twice as much space between your vehicle and the one in front of it; wet roads might mean it takes longer to stop. Be alert for debris on the road. If your car begins to hydroplane, do not slam on the brakes. Remain calm, ease off the gas, steer in the direction you want to go and very lightly pump the brakes until you regain traction.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11936994\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1478px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11936994\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/E2081DCF-BC1D-480F-B27A-DBB7E0C45B3A.jpg\" alt=\"A red car lies abandoned under a flooded underpass with another car submerged behind it.\" width=\"1478\" height=\"985\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/E2081DCF-BC1D-480F-B27A-DBB7E0C45B3A.jpg 1478w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/E2081DCF-BC1D-480F-B27A-DBB7E0C45B3A-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/E2081DCF-BC1D-480F-B27A-DBB7E0C45B3A-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/E2081DCF-BC1D-480F-B27A-DBB7E0C45B3A-160x107.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1478px) 100vw, 1478px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Two cars are stuck in a flooded underpass at 34th and Webster streets in Oakland on Jan. 4, 2023. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If flooding occurs, err on the side of caution. Don’t assume you know the depth of a pool of water or the conditions of the road underneath it, especially at night.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Always turn around rather than driving through a flooded area\u003c/strong> — as few as 6 inches of water is enough to disable or stall a small car, while 12 inches can sweep away a vehicle. If floodwaters begin to rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground on foot. According to the California Department of Water Resources, more people become trapped and die in their vehicles than anywhere else during a flood.\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"updates\">\u003c/a>How can I receive updates about my area?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you haven’t done so already, sign up to receive emergency weather alerts from your county. County officials use these notifications to inform residents of weather alerts, street and road closures, and evacuation orders. Find your county below:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.acgov.org/emergencysite/\">Alameda County emergency alerts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cityofberkeley.info/EmergencyAlerting/\">City of Berkeley emergency alerts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/2269/Emergency-Alerts-Resources\">Contra Costa County emergency alerts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://emergency.marincounty.org/\">Marin County emergency alerts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.countyofnapa.org/2481/Emergency-Alerts\">Napa County emergency alerts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sf.gov/information/be-know-official-emergency-alerts\">City and County of San Francisco emergency alerts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://cmo.smcgov.org/smc-alert\">San Mateo County emergency alerts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://emergencymanagement.sccgov.org/AlertSCC\">Santa Clara County emergency alerts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/oes/emergency.asp\">Solano County emergency alerts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://socoemergency.org/get-ready/sign-up/\">Sonoma County emergency alerts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>In San Francisco, officials have asked the public to call 311 to report flooding inside homes, instead of 911. “We still have to run all our critical 911 calls whether it’s a cardiac arrest, a car accident or a fire. If you add all these flooding issues \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">…\u003c/span> it can really overtax the system,” Fire Chief Jeanine Nicholson said in January 2023, days before the start of that year’s winter storm system.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So if you have a little bit of flooding in your home, call 311,” she said. “If someone is having a heart attack or if someone is being swept by water, call 911.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>An earlier version of this story was published on Feb 2., 2024. KQED’s Ezra David Romero, Katie DeBenedetti, Danielle Venton, Kevin Stark, Daisy Nguyen and Erin Baldassari contributed to this story.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"slug": "lake-tahoe-weather-forecast-road-conditions-snow-chains",
"title": "Lake Tahoe Travel: Weather, Road Conditions & Snow Chain Rules",
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"headTitle": "Lake Tahoe Travel: Weather, Road Conditions & Snow Chain Rules | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/lake-tahoe\">Lake Tahoe\u003c/a> region is one of the most beautiful places on earth, especially in winter. It’s no wonder that so many of us in the Bay Area want to drive up there at this time of year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you are planning on heading up to Tahoe this week or next to enjoy the snow, it’s important to stay up-to-date with the weather, as the National Weather Service issued a \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=CAZ072&warncounty=CAC017&firewxzone=CAZ272&local_place1=South%20Lake%20Tahoe%20CA&product1=Winter+Storm+Watch&lat=38.9481&lon=-119.968\">winter storm watch\u003c/a> expected to last through Friday morning that could affect your travel plans.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The National Weather Service’s Sacramento office says that areas at and above 8,000 feet — including at Donner Summit near the Donner Pass area of I-80 — up to 10 inches of snow could accumulate on Monday alone. The NWS is also forecasting gusts of ridgetop wind up to 100 miles per hour and 1 to 2 feet of snow accumulation at lake level and 2 to 4 feet at high elevations by Friday morning.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Most importantly, the NWS is warning that now through Tuesday afternoon is the best window for safe travel.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://x.com/NWSSacramento/status/2003169874047275083\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This type of weather can increase the chances of slick and snow-covered roads, \u003ca href=\"#chaincontroltahoe\">chain control \u003c/a>and downed tree branches. Conditions like these in the Sierra have not only frequently caused travel delays and road closures in the past but also impacted operations at Tahoe ski resorts (for example, high winds causing lift closures.) After heavy snowfall, it may also take many hours for roads to be plowed and for \u003ca href=\"#chaincontroltahoe\">chain control to be lifted\u003c/a>, making travel potentially slow and difficult even after an active storm window has passed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Jump straight to \u003ca href=\"#snowroadclosures\">where to find the up-to-date snow forecasts and road closures\u003c/a> in Tahoe, \u003ca href=\"#chaincontroltahoe\">details on chain control\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"#canceltahoe\">advice for canceling or rescheduling a Tahoe trip.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11937340\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11937340\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61931_GettyImages-1244621387-qut.jpg\" alt=\"Snow blanked road with a Hazardous Conditions Ahead sign.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61931_GettyImages-1244621387-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61931_GettyImages-1244621387-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61931_GettyImages-1244621387-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61931_GettyImages-1244621387-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61931_GettyImages-1244621387-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Snow blankets South Lake Tahoe on Nov. 8, 2022, with a winter storm warning in effect for Lake Tahoe and the Nevada mountains. \u003ccite>(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Even without weather events like this in the forecast, traveling in the mountains of Tahoe in winter is a serious business at the best of times — especially if you’ve never lived somewhere with frequent snowfall and don’t have a ton of experience with winter driving just yet. And nobody wants their trip marked by delays, car trouble, road closures or even a serious accident on these winter roads.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re hoping to drive to the Lake Tahoe region this winter — \u003cem>after\u003c/em> this latest storm, that is — and want to make sure you’re as prepared as possible for a safe journey, keep reading for our guide on what to know about traveling to Tahoe.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#snowroadclosures\">Most accurate ways to monitor snow forecasts and road closures\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#canceltahoe\">When should I cancel my Tahoe trip?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#chaincontroltahoe\">Does chain control apply to me?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#rentalcarchains\">What to know about rental cars and chains in Tahoe\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#safetodrivetahoe\">How to be a safer driver on winter mountain roads\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>Why it’s so important to know how to drive safely to Tahoe\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips\">Caltrans’ own winter driving guidance\u003c/a> articulates just how variable winter mountain driving can be, noting that it can be “a pleasant adventure or it can be frustrating, tiring and sometimes even hazardous.” This is not an exaggeration, and driving to and around Tahoe during the winter should always be something you truly come prepared for, rather than hoping for the best.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Most folks in the Tahoe region completely understand why people from out of town want to visit this beautiful part of California in winter, says Steve Nelson, public information officer for Caltrans District 3, which covers the region. But “the No. 1 problem by far,” he says, “is that motorists head out the door without being prepared for the conditions.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11937339\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11937339 size-full\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A mostly white photo, of a two-lane road covered in white and gray snow, penned in by snowy embankments on both sides with conifers, and an orange truck with bright yellow headlights clearing the road on the left side, facing the camera.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A snowplow is seen as snow blankets Route 237 in Stateline, Nevada, on Nov. 8, 2022. \u003ccite>(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>And a storm in the Tahoe area is no joke, especially on roads at such high elevation — well over 7,000 feet on both the Donner Pass on Interstate 80 and Echo Summit on Highway 50. “And when you’re talking about 4 to 6 feet of snow, and people that have never driven in it before, it can get pretty, pretty gnarly,” says Nelson.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"snowroadclosures\">\u003c/a>How to check the weather and road conditions\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Weather predictions can evolve and change on a dime, and a storm can suddenly switch gears and arrive sooner (or later) than first forecast.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This is why it’s important not just to \u003cem>keep\u003c/em> checking the weather forecast for the area of Tahoe you’re visiting, but to make sure you’re getting information that’s as reliable as possible. During periods of extreme weather, officials will urge you not to travel for any nonessential reasons, and stay off the roads whenever possible. You should always heed these advisories.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Trust the experts (not a quick Google search)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The National Weather Service’s Reno office offers \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=CAZ072\">an online Lake Tahoe weather report\u003c/a> you can consult. The National Weather Service’s presences on X, formerly known as Twitter, are also frequently updated sources of information about Tahoe weather, and you don’t have to have an X account to see their tweets. Check:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/NWSSacramento\">@NWSSacramento on X \u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/NWSReno\">@NWSReno on X\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Caltrans’ X accounts also provide frequent forecasts, warnings and updates specifically geared to road travel. Check:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/CaltransDist3\">@CaltransDist3 on X \u003c/a>(serving Butte, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sierra, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/CaltransDist10\">@CaltransDist10 on X\u003c/a> (serving Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tuolumne counties)\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Nelson says that while these X accounts are very frequently updated and get a lot of inquiries from the public, drivers need to remember that they’re “not a 24/7 resource” and should be realistic about using these accounts as a source of real-time help. (“A lot of times we’ll get messages in the middle of the night saying, ‘Hey, can I get up to Tahoe?,’ and we’re not monitoring [X] at three in the morning,” says Nelson.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/CaltransDist3/status/1611459599516991488\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>California Highway Patrol Truckee provides updates on road travel around the I-80 corridor \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/CHP_Truckee\">on X (@CHP_Truckee\u003c/a>) and\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/chp_truckee/?hl=en\"> on Instagram (@chp_truckee)\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Department of Transportation also makes their network of road cameras available for you to monitor road conditions in real time. \u003ca href=\"https://cwwp2.dot.ca.gov/vm/iframemap.htm\">Use the map to find the area you want, and click/tap on the camera icons to open the live road cam.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can find subscription-only weather forecasting services as well, like \u003ca href=\"https://opensnow.com/\">Open Snow\u003c/a> (which offers a free seven-day trial). These paid services often promise to give a greater degree of granularity around forecasts and longer-range predictions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re heading up to Tahoe for winter sports, consider also checking the website and social media of any resort you’re hoping to visit, as they will almost certainly be featuring weather reports and predictions. For example, Heavenly in South Lake Tahoe has an X account (\u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/hvconditions?lang=en\">@HVconditions\u003c/a>), which gives status reports on mountain operations and weather forecasts — with a focus on when there’s a risk of wind holds for chairlifts and terrain closures.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember: A resort warning you that weather might affect their operations is a good sign it’s the kind of weather you should take seriously when it comes to travel.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Use Caltrans’ QuickMap \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nelson says that the best way to stay on top of current road conditions in the Tahoe area is to use \u003ca href=\"https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/\">Caltrans’ own QuickMap site\u003c/a>, or \u003ca href=\"https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/QM/app.htm\">the QuickMap app (available on the App Store and Google Play)\u003c/a>. If you prefer not to download the app, you can view a \u003ca href=\"http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/mindex.html\">mobile-friendly version of the QuickMap website\u003c/a> (and even add a shortcut to your mobile home screen).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This map uses Caltrans’ own data to show you the latest road conditions and travel information, so you can be prepared ahead of time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11937375\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11937375 size-full\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/QuickMap.jpg\" alt='A screenshot of a graphical interface, with light green indicated earth, some blue indicating waterways, and a yellow line across it clustered with icons, as well as a blue-and-red award-shaped sign saying \"80\" to indicate the highway number.' width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/QuickMap.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/QuickMap-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/QuickMap-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/QuickMap-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/QuickMap-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Caltrans’ QuickMap app, showing chain controls, snowplows and more. \u003ccite>(Courtesy Caltrans)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>When first using QuickMap, be sure to hit “Options” on either the website or the app, and select all the options you want to see on the map, including:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Full closures\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>CHP incidents\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Highway information\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Chain controls\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Snowplows\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Once you’ve done this, you’ll be able to either select the location “Tahoe” under “Locations,” or swipe and zoom over to your desired area on the map, just as you would using Google Maps. You can then tap on the icons you see on the map, to learn more about what they mean. This is especially important when it comes to chain controls, which often apply to different kinds of vehicles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Use QuickMap before setting off on your travels and — if it’s safe to do so — during your journey, as conditions and chain requirements can develop fast in the Tahoe area. Don’t let warm, sunny and dry conditions in the Bay Area lull you into a false sense of security about the weather you’ll encounter up in the mountains.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca id=\"canceltahoe\">\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>Know when it’s safe to travel — and be prepared to delay a trip\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s always frustrating when plans change. But delaying, postponing or even canceling a trip to Tahoe is often the safest thing to do when weather means you’ll be battling hazardous conditions to get there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nelson says that during the fierce storms over the New Year of 2023, “it was nonstop” for Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol, rescuing stranded motorists on Interstate 80 and Highway 50. He notes that often, it’s the fact that people have travel plans they don’t want to cancel or lose money on that convinces folks to attempt the drive to Tahoe despite bad weather, with little to no winter driving experience.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They desperately want to get up to Tahoe and they don’t really care what’s going on outside,” he says. “So that’s when we run into problems.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember, even if you’re secure in your own mountain driving abilities, not everyone on the road is — and bad weather can mean accidents between vehicles that can cause traffic jams, delays and even road closures. This is just another reason to consider delaying or canceling a planned Tahoe trip because of weather: Do you \u003cem>really\u003c/em> want to be stuck on I-80 for seven hours? At the least, you might consider delaying your travel until weather passes to have a better chance of a smoother journey.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11937335\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-11937335\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/TAHOEDRIVING-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"A photo of a road taken from inside a car, with banks of snow on either side, one car up ahead and a bright blue sky and pine trees.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/TAHOEDRIVING-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/TAHOEDRIVING-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/TAHOEDRIVING-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/TAHOEDRIVING-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/TAHOEDRIVING.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Driving to Tahoe in winter is serious business, with weather and road conditions that can change quickly. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Gabe Farthing)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If you’re traveling to Tahoe for winter sports, remember, too, that just because it’s snowing, or has recently snowed, a ski resort is not necessarily operational and does not necessarily have all their terrain open. High winds frequently mean that resort chairlifts can be placed on wind hold or closed for the day, especially on the upper mountain. Sometimes, strong storms mean loss of power to the resorts, and equipment like chairlifts can get iced over and become nonoperational. In short: You could battle the worst weather and road conditions to make it to the resort of your choice, only to find that the resort isn’t even \u003cem>able\u003c/em> to open.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If the worst happens, and you realize you need to change your trip, don’t assume you’ll lose all your money from postponing. While hotels and ski resorts often won’t let you outright \u003cem>cancel\u003c/em> your prepaid purchases due to weather, you might find you can change the date itself free of charge.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Consider calling the hotel or resort directly, being prepared to be patient and courteous (and mindful that you might be one of many folks making the same call) and ask them what’s possible.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"chaincontroltahoe\">\u003c/a>Chain control: Do I have the right vehicle for Tahoe?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Know exactly what ‘chain control’ means\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Chain control is a reality of traveling to and around the Tahoe region, and you shouldn’t travel to Tahoe without knowing about it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Chains” is a catchall term for a traction device that’s fitted onto the tires of a vehicle’s drive wheels and gives that vehicle more traction on snowy and icy roads. These can look like link-type chains, or what’s called alternative traction devices (ATD), which can include cable chains, textile snow chains, wheel-hub-attached chains and automatic tire chains.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Different kinds of chains are best for different types of vehicles, and you can purchase your own chains for your vehicle or rent them for your trip. \u003ca href=\"https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/documents/chainrequire-a11y.pdf\">Read more about the kinds of chains you can use on your vehicle (PDF).\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips/chain-controls\">California has three levels of chain requirements (“R”)\u003c/a>. R1 applies to the heaviest vehicles, like trucks. R2 is the chain requirement that applies most to drivers of passenger cars headed up to Tahoe. (R3 chain control requires chains on \u003cem>all\u003c/em> vehicles, even those with AWD and snow tires, although it’s more likely a road would be closed outright before R3 chain controls were implemented.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How do I know if I need chains?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>R2 chain control means that unless your vehicle has all-wheel drive (AWD, also known as four-wheel drive) and snow-tread tires on all four wheels, you need to use chains on your vehicle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This means that if you have AWD but no snow-tread tires, you need to install chains on your car in a chain control area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Less commonly, if you have snow-tread tires but no AWD, you also need to use chains.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Caltrans says that you’ll usually have “about a mile” between “Chains Required” signs and any chain control checkpoint to install your chains. You can be cited and fined by the California Highway Patrol for not observing chain controls in Tahoe. \u003ca href=\"https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips/chain-controls\">Read more from Caltrans about chain control requirements.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Don’t assume your AWD vehicle has the right tires\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“All-wheel drive is useless if you don’t have the right tires,” says Nelson. So how do you know whether your vehicle has snow-tread tires?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They’ll say “mud and snow” on the tires themselves, usually marked as “M + S.” You might also see a snowflake symbol on the sidewall.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11937287\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11937287\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/M-and-S-tires.jpg\" alt=\"A closeup photo of a car tire, with markings on it.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/M-and-S-tires.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/M-and-S-tires-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/M-and-S-tires-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/M-and-S-tires-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/M-and-S-tires-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Wondering if your car has snow-tread tires? Look for ‘M + S’ and the snowflake icon on your tire’s sidewall. \u003ccite>(Carly Severn/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Even if you have AWD and snow-tread tires, you should still carry chains\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Caltrans makes it clear: Even if you’re driving an AWD vehicle, you must still \u003cem>carry\u003c/em> chains in chain control areas. This is because \u003ca href=\"https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips/chain-controls\">the highest R3 chain control requirement technically requires all vehicles, regardless of AWD or tires, to use chains\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You may be asked to show these chains in your vehicle at a checkpoint. For that reason, it’s a good idea to have them clearly visible in your car so a Caltrans worker can see they’re present.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca id=\"rentalcarchains\">\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>Rental cars might not let you use chains\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s totally understandable to want to rent a vehicle to travel up to Tahoe — maybe you’re flying into a nearby airport like Sacramento or Reno, or you need a car that carries a larger party for your trip.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But there’s one thing you absolutely must know about: Many rental car companies will not allow you to fit chains or other traction devices on the tires of your rental car. And if you’ve rented a car that doesn’t have mud and snow tires — even if it has AWD — and you hit an area where R2 chain control is in effect, a Caltrans chains checkpoint \u003cem>will\u003c/em> make you turn around.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This is something that happens “pretty frequently,” confirms Nelson, who says he and his Caltrans colleagues see drivers of rental cars without mud and snow tires “basically pleading, begging” to be allowed through a Tahoe chain control checkpoint without chains.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s not going to matter,” says Nelson. “We’re going to turn them around, because it’s a safety factor for us.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Always check directly with your rental car company about their chain installation policy. Some rental companies will also let you filter results for cars on their site by whether they have mud and snow tires, before you book.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How do I know whether chain control is in effect where I’m traveling?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If chain control is in effect in an area, you’ll see signs on the road indicating this. They’ll either look like permanent black signs on the side of the road, flipped around so they’re facing oncoming traffic, or illuminated signs over the highway. On lower-elevation areas of roads like I-80, Highway 50 and Highway 88, you may also see illuminated road signs giving you the heads-up about chain controls up ahead.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can see chain control areas marked on \u003ca href=\"https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/\">Caltrans’ QuickMap site or app\u003c/a>, or call the Caltrans Highway Information Network at (800) 427-7623.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Certain roads may also have a Caltrans checkpoint at the start of a chain control area, staffed by Caltrans workers. At these checkpoints, Caltrans staff will manually verify whether you have the required vehicle and tires to go through the checkpoint.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you don’t have AWD and snow-tread tires, they’ll ask you to pull over or turn around to install chains on your vehicle. If you aren’t carrying chains, you \u003cem>will\u003c/em> be asked to turn around and leave the area the way you came.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even if there’s no checkpoint, or road authority staff present in a chain control area, you still need to pull over safely and install your chains, if your vehicle needs them. You might hit a checkpoint further up the road, or have a Caltrans staffer or California Highway Patrol officer pull you over if you don’t have chains in a chain control area, where you can be fined.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Whether you’re having someone fit your chains for you, or installing them yourself, you must only pull over to the right and fit your chains in an area where it’s safe, which will almost certainly be in a designated chain installation area off the side of the road. You must not block the road to fit your chains, or risk your safety (or that of others) when installing your chains. \u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#chaincontroltahoe\">Jump to more information about installing chains in chain control areas. \u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/CaltransDist3/status/1611399433434042371\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How do I know which chains I should buy or rent for my vehicle?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Check your vehicle’s manual for any information about which chain-style traction devices are recommended (or even prohibited, as with certain vehicles). The exact chains or other traction devices you buy will also depend on your tires’ size. You can find your tire size on the sidewall of your tires, which will start with a “P.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also find \u003ca href=\"https://www.etrailer.com/faq-snow-tire-chain-comparison.aspx\">guides like this online with advice on buying and fitting snow chains\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can buy chains up in the Tahoe region, and in fact you’ll see several businesses along major entry roads to the Lake Tahoe area advertising their chains. Buying chains in Tahoe when you need them might well be more expensive than purchasing them back in the Bay Area, especially during periods of strong weather and frequent chain control.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Option 1 for chain installation: Pay someone to fit your chains for you\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At chain control checkpoints, you’ll very often see chain installers who can do it for you — for a price.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These installers aren’t Caltrans employees, says Nelson, but they’re contracted and permitted through the agency. A usual price for this would be $40 to install chains, and $20 to remove them at the point where chain control ends, but “sometimes they’ll raise their rates depending on the need,” advises Nelson.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Caltrans makes clear that these independent chain installers are not allowed to sell or rent chains to you — only fit or remove ones you already have. The agency also recommends that if you pay an installer to fit your chains, you should get a receipt and “jot the installer’s badge number on it,” which they say “may help with any misunderstandings later.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But remember, not all areas where chain control is in effect will have contracted installers on hand to fit your chains for you. That’s why it’s a good idea to opt for the second option …\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Option 2 for chain installation: Learn how to do it yourself (recommended)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If you can [fit your chains] yourself, you’re going to save some time and some money,” says Nelson.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can find \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+fit+snow+chains\">many YouTube video tutorials that demonstrate how to install your vehicle’s chains\u003c/a>. Installing chains is definitely easier with more than two people on hand, but it’s a very useful skill to know how to do it solo, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’ve never installed chains before, you \u003cem>will\u003c/em> find it tricky and time-consuming the first few times you practice. This is why it’s a really good idea to do several of these “practice rounds” at home on your own street or driveway. “You definitely don’t want your first time putting chains on to be actually up on the mountain,” warns Nelson.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember, you could very well find yourself installing chains for real at a chain control checkpoint in the dark, or when it’s very cold, or actively snowing or raining. Consider packing a headlamp (or a flashlight for someone else to hold), and fingerless gloves to allow you to maneuver the chain links.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For true realism, also consider practicing installing your chains at home at night, or even when it’s raining — because that could well be the environment in which you’re doing this for real in the mountains, at much higher elevation and in the freezing cold.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11937341\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11937341 size-full\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61932_GettyImages-1244611410-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A peachy pink sky, with a low, blue line of clouds, taken from the side of a snowy road overlooking a valley full of conifers and snow.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61932_GettyImages-1244611410-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61932_GettyImages-1244611410-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61932_GettyImages-1244611410-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61932_GettyImages-1244611410-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61932_GettyImages-1244611410-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sunrise view as snow blankets South Lake Tahoe on Nov. 8, 2022. \u003ccite>(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"safetodrivetahoe\">\u003c/a>Advice for safer driving in Tahoe in the winter\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Preparing yourself and your vehicle for a winter journey\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You’ll need to prepare more for a winter journey in Tahoe than you usually would for travel outside the mountains. In addition to making sure your vehicle’s in good working order (brakes, wipers, heater, etc.), you’ll need to carry chains (see above).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Make sure you also have as much fuel as possible at all times. Not only could gas become more expensive as you approach the mountains, but you could be delayed or even held on the road, which will burn up the fuel in your tank. Gaining elevation as you ascend into the mountains will also use more gas. Running out of gas at the best of times is no fun — running out of gas at 7,000 feet of elevation in a freezing blizzard is way worse.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since winter travel brings with it the possibility of delays, or even being stuck on a road when it’s closed due to weather, it’s also a good idea to have the following items in your car:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Food and water\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Warm blankets\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Extra clothing\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>A shovel, in case you need to dig your vehicle out of snow\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>An ice scraper\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Don’t always follow Google Maps and co.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Strong weather can mean more traffic, and navigation apps like Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze can sometimes suggest alternative routes to save you time, or “shortcuts.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the mountains, and especially during or just after bad weather, you should be very wary of taking these shortcuts. That’s because your navigation app very well might not account for weather or road conditions on the side roads it’s recommending, and you could find yourself on a steep, unplowed road that’s not safe for your particular vehicle to drive in winter conditions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If in doubt, stick to the main, plowed roads, even if there’s traffic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Take it slow\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You’ll see the words “Ice and snow, take it slow” on road signs in Tahoe, and you should heed the advice — especially in areas with chain control, which is in effect for a reason.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It is tricky driving in snow and ice, but I’ll tell you, if people actually drove the speed limit in chain controls, they’d have no issues on Interstate 80,” says Nelson. “It’s 30 miles an hour. And on Highway 50, it’s 25 miles an hour in chain checkpoint areas.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you adhere to the speed limits, says Nelson, “then you’re fine. It’s the people that still try to drive 55, 60 miles an hour in snow. That’s when problems start.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Leave far more braking distance between you and the car ahead than you normally would. If cars behind you are clearly trying to go much faster than you, that’s their issue. Pull over only when it’s safe to do so, and let them pass.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11933784\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11933784\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/Tahoe-screenshot.png\" alt=\"A screenshot of trucks driving through the snowy conditions on the road.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1230\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/Tahoe-screenshot.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/Tahoe-screenshot-800x513.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/Tahoe-screenshot-1020x653.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/Tahoe-screenshot-160x103.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/Tahoe-screenshot-1536x984.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A screenshot of trucks driving through the snowy conditions on Interstate 80 at Donner Summit on Dec. 1, 2022. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Caltrans)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Know how to drive safer on winter mountain roads\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips\">Caltrans has a list of winter driving tips\u003c/a> you’d be wise to read before making your journey to Tahoe.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to taking it slow and steady, be aware of the risk of ice in areas of the road that are shaded by the sun — and also on \u003ca href=\"https://www.forbes.com/sites/marshallshepherd/2017/12/19/the-science-of-why-bridges-ice-before-roads/?sh=194a49857cd0\">bridges, which freeze faster that the road before and after them\u003c/a> owing to the air underneath.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssgAWdMfqz0\">Watch for the flashing amber lights of snow removal equipment\u003c/a> on the road, such as snowplows or salt brine trucks, and give them a wide berth.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Know what you’d do if your vehicle did hit a patch of ice and go into a skid. There are \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+get+out+of+skid\">many video tutorials online demonstrating how to control and correct a skid\u003c/a>. It’s a good idea to watch a few of them so you can see what the advice for correcting a skid — \u003ca href=\"https://www.aarp.org/auto/driver-safety/the-car-skids-what-you-should-do/\">take your feet off the pedals and turn into the direction you want to go\u003c/a> — looks like in action.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Remember, when you finally reach the Tahoe area …\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>… you might be glad you brought the shovel mentioned above if you wake up at your hotel or accommodation to find your car has accumulated several feet of snow overnight. (Hotels will often provide shovels, too, but they’ll be shared among many guests trying to do the same thing.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Be sure to brush as much of the snow off the top of your vehicle as you can before leaving a parking lot. If you don’t, a large sheet of snow can later fall off your car — either blocking your own windshield, or falling onto the road (or the car) behind you and causing a potential hazard to other motorists. Caltrans suggests you could even bring a broom in your car for this purpose, if snow is forecast during your stay. At the very least, it’s a courtesy to your fellow motorists — at the most, you’ll avoid causing a potentially serious accident.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Finally, remember: You don’t have to \u003cem>drive\u003c/em> to go to Tahoe\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If all of this advice about winter driving is making you reconsider driving up to Tahoe, but you still really want to visit the mountains, you should know there are several public and private options for traveling to Tahoe other than driving.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These include:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://shop.sportsbasement.com/products/sbskibus\">The Sports Basement Ski Bus\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.tahoeskitrips.net/browse-trips/teen-family\">Tahoe Ski Bus\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.amtrak.com/stations/tru\">Amtrak to Truckee\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.greyhound.com/en-us/bus-stations-in-truckee\">Greyhound to Truckee\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Several hotels offer shuttles (sometimes free, sometimes paid) to the resorts, and many resorts also offer shuttles to different locations and parking lots.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>An earlier version of this story was originally published on Nov. 22.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "Winter mountain travel in Tahoe is a serious business, especially if you don't have a ton of experience. From chain control to weather forecasts and road conditions, here's what to know about safe Tahoe travel from the Bay Area.",
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"title": "Snowy Tahoe Trip: Chain Control & Winter Driving Tips | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/lake-tahoe\">Lake Tahoe\u003c/a> region is one of the most beautiful places on earth, especially in winter. It’s no wonder that so many of us in the Bay Area want to drive up there at this time of year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you are planning on heading up to Tahoe this week or next to enjoy the snow, it’s important to stay up-to-date with the weather, as the National Weather Service issued a \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=CAZ072&warncounty=CAC017&firewxzone=CAZ272&local_place1=South%20Lake%20Tahoe%20CA&product1=Winter+Storm+Watch&lat=38.9481&lon=-119.968\">winter storm watch\u003c/a> expected to last through Friday morning that could affect your travel plans.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The National Weather Service’s Sacramento office says that areas at and above 8,000 feet — including at Donner Summit near the Donner Pass area of I-80 — up to 10 inches of snow could accumulate on Monday alone. The NWS is also forecasting gusts of ridgetop wind up to 100 miles per hour and 1 to 2 feet of snow accumulation at lake level and 2 to 4 feet at high elevations by Friday morning.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Most importantly, the NWS is warning that now through Tuesday afternoon is the best window for safe travel.\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>This type of weather can increase the chances of slick and snow-covered roads, \u003ca href=\"#chaincontroltahoe\">chain control \u003c/a>and downed tree branches. Conditions like these in the Sierra have not only frequently caused travel delays and road closures in the past but also impacted operations at Tahoe ski resorts (for example, high winds causing lift closures.) After heavy snowfall, it may also take many hours for roads to be plowed and for \u003ca href=\"#chaincontroltahoe\">chain control to be lifted\u003c/a>, making travel potentially slow and difficult even after an active storm window has passed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Jump straight to \u003ca href=\"#snowroadclosures\">where to find the up-to-date snow forecasts and road closures\u003c/a> in Tahoe, \u003ca href=\"#chaincontroltahoe\">details on chain control\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"#canceltahoe\">advice for canceling or rescheduling a Tahoe trip.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11937340\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11937340\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61931_GettyImages-1244621387-qut.jpg\" alt=\"Snow blanked road with a Hazardous Conditions Ahead sign.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61931_GettyImages-1244621387-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61931_GettyImages-1244621387-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61931_GettyImages-1244621387-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61931_GettyImages-1244621387-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61931_GettyImages-1244621387-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Snow blankets South Lake Tahoe on Nov. 8, 2022, with a winter storm warning in effect for Lake Tahoe and the Nevada mountains. \u003ccite>(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Even without weather events like this in the forecast, traveling in the mountains of Tahoe in winter is a serious business at the best of times — especially if you’ve never lived somewhere with frequent snowfall and don’t have a ton of experience with winter driving just yet. And nobody wants their trip marked by delays, car trouble, road closures or even a serious accident on these winter roads.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re hoping to drive to the Lake Tahoe region this winter — \u003cem>after\u003c/em> this latest storm, that is — and want to make sure you’re as prepared as possible for a safe journey, keep reading for our guide on what to know about traveling to Tahoe.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#snowroadclosures\">Most accurate ways to monitor snow forecasts and road closures\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#canceltahoe\">When should I cancel my Tahoe trip?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#chaincontroltahoe\">Does chain control apply to me?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#rentalcarchains\">What to know about rental cars and chains in Tahoe\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#safetodrivetahoe\">How to be a safer driver on winter mountain roads\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>Why it’s so important to know how to drive safely to Tahoe\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips\">Caltrans’ own winter driving guidance\u003c/a> articulates just how variable winter mountain driving can be, noting that it can be “a pleasant adventure or it can be frustrating, tiring and sometimes even hazardous.” This is not an exaggeration, and driving to and around Tahoe during the winter should always be something you truly come prepared for, rather than hoping for the best.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Most folks in the Tahoe region completely understand why people from out of town want to visit this beautiful part of California in winter, says Steve Nelson, public information officer for Caltrans District 3, which covers the region. But “the No. 1 problem by far,” he says, “is that motorists head out the door without being prepared for the conditions.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11937339\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11937339 size-full\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A mostly white photo, of a two-lane road covered in white and gray snow, penned in by snowy embankments on both sides with conifers, and an orange truck with bright yellow headlights clearing the road on the left side, facing the camera.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61930_GettyImages-1244621487-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A snowplow is seen as snow blankets Route 237 in Stateline, Nevada, on Nov. 8, 2022. \u003ccite>(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>And a storm in the Tahoe area is no joke, especially on roads at such high elevation — well over 7,000 feet on both the Donner Pass on Interstate 80 and Echo Summit on Highway 50. “And when you’re talking about 4 to 6 feet of snow, and people that have never driven in it before, it can get pretty, pretty gnarly,” says Nelson.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"snowroadclosures\">\u003c/a>How to check the weather and road conditions\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Weather predictions can evolve and change on a dime, and a storm can suddenly switch gears and arrive sooner (or later) than first forecast.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This is why it’s important not just to \u003cem>keep\u003c/em> checking the weather forecast for the area of Tahoe you’re visiting, but to make sure you’re getting information that’s as reliable as possible. During periods of extreme weather, officials will urge you not to travel for any nonessential reasons, and stay off the roads whenever possible. You should always heed these advisories.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Trust the experts (not a quick Google search)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The National Weather Service’s Reno office offers \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=CAZ072\">an online Lake Tahoe weather report\u003c/a> you can consult. The National Weather Service’s presences on X, formerly known as Twitter, are also frequently updated sources of information about Tahoe weather, and you don’t have to have an X account to see their tweets. Check:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/NWSSacramento\">@NWSSacramento on X \u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/NWSReno\">@NWSReno on X\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Caltrans’ X accounts also provide frequent forecasts, warnings and updates specifically geared to road travel. Check:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/CaltransDist3\">@CaltransDist3 on X \u003c/a>(serving Butte, Colusa, El Dorado, Glenn, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sierra, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/CaltransDist10\">@CaltransDist10 on X\u003c/a> (serving Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tuolumne counties)\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Nelson says that while these X accounts are very frequently updated and get a lot of inquiries from the public, drivers need to remember that they’re “not a 24/7 resource” and should be realistic about using these accounts as a source of real-time help. (“A lot of times we’ll get messages in the middle of the night saying, ‘Hey, can I get up to Tahoe?,’ and we’re not monitoring [X] at three in the morning,” says Nelson.)\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>California Highway Patrol Truckee provides updates on road travel around the I-80 corridor \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/CHP_Truckee\">on X (@CHP_Truckee\u003c/a>) and\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/chp_truckee/?hl=en\"> on Instagram (@chp_truckee)\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Department of Transportation also makes their network of road cameras available for you to monitor road conditions in real time. \u003ca href=\"https://cwwp2.dot.ca.gov/vm/iframemap.htm\">Use the map to find the area you want, and click/tap on the camera icons to open the live road cam.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can find subscription-only weather forecasting services as well, like \u003ca href=\"https://opensnow.com/\">Open Snow\u003c/a> (which offers a free seven-day trial). These paid services often promise to give a greater degree of granularity around forecasts and longer-range predictions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re heading up to Tahoe for winter sports, consider also checking the website and social media of any resort you’re hoping to visit, as they will almost certainly be featuring weather reports and predictions. For example, Heavenly in South Lake Tahoe has an X account (\u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/hvconditions?lang=en\">@HVconditions\u003c/a>), which gives status reports on mountain operations and weather forecasts — with a focus on when there’s a risk of wind holds for chairlifts and terrain closures.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember: A resort warning you that weather might affect their operations is a good sign it’s the kind of weather you should take seriously when it comes to travel.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Use Caltrans’ QuickMap \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nelson says that the best way to stay on top of current road conditions in the Tahoe area is to use \u003ca href=\"https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/\">Caltrans’ own QuickMap site\u003c/a>, or \u003ca href=\"https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/QM/app.htm\">the QuickMap app (available on the App Store and Google Play)\u003c/a>. If you prefer not to download the app, you can view a \u003ca href=\"http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/mindex.html\">mobile-friendly version of the QuickMap website\u003c/a> (and even add a shortcut to your mobile home screen).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This map uses Caltrans’ own data to show you the latest road conditions and travel information, so you can be prepared ahead of time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11937375\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11937375 size-full\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/QuickMap.jpg\" alt='A screenshot of a graphical interface, with light green indicated earth, some blue indicating waterways, and a yellow line across it clustered with icons, as well as a blue-and-red award-shaped sign saying \"80\" to indicate the highway number.' width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/QuickMap.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/QuickMap-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/QuickMap-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/QuickMap-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/QuickMap-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Caltrans’ QuickMap app, showing chain controls, snowplows and more. \u003ccite>(Courtesy Caltrans)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>When first using QuickMap, be sure to hit “Options” on either the website or the app, and select all the options you want to see on the map, including:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Full closures\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>CHP incidents\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Highway information\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Chain controls\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Snowplows\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Once you’ve done this, you’ll be able to either select the location “Tahoe” under “Locations,” or swipe and zoom over to your desired area on the map, just as you would using Google Maps. You can then tap on the icons you see on the map, to learn more about what they mean. This is especially important when it comes to chain controls, which often apply to different kinds of vehicles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Use QuickMap before setting off on your travels and — if it’s safe to do so — during your journey, as conditions and chain requirements can develop fast in the Tahoe area. Don’t let warm, sunny and dry conditions in the Bay Area lull you into a false sense of security about the weather you’ll encounter up in the mountains.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca id=\"canceltahoe\">\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>Know when it’s safe to travel — and be prepared to delay a trip\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s always frustrating when plans change. But delaying, postponing or even canceling a trip to Tahoe is often the safest thing to do when weather means you’ll be battling hazardous conditions to get there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nelson says that during the fierce storms over the New Year of 2023, “it was nonstop” for Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol, rescuing stranded motorists on Interstate 80 and Highway 50. He notes that often, it’s the fact that people have travel plans they don’t want to cancel or lose money on that convinces folks to attempt the drive to Tahoe despite bad weather, with little to no winter driving experience.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They desperately want to get up to Tahoe and they don’t really care what’s going on outside,” he says. “So that’s when we run into problems.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember, even if you’re secure in your own mountain driving abilities, not everyone on the road is — and bad weather can mean accidents between vehicles that can cause traffic jams, delays and even road closures. This is just another reason to consider delaying or canceling a planned Tahoe trip because of weather: Do you \u003cem>really\u003c/em> want to be stuck on I-80 for seven hours? At the least, you might consider delaying your travel until weather passes to have a better chance of a smoother journey.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11937335\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-11937335\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/TAHOEDRIVING-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"A photo of a road taken from inside a car, with banks of snow on either side, one car up ahead and a bright blue sky and pine trees.\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/TAHOEDRIVING-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/TAHOEDRIVING-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/TAHOEDRIVING-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/TAHOEDRIVING-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/TAHOEDRIVING.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Driving to Tahoe in winter is serious business, with weather and road conditions that can change quickly. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Gabe Farthing)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If you’re traveling to Tahoe for winter sports, remember, too, that just because it’s snowing, or has recently snowed, a ski resort is not necessarily operational and does not necessarily have all their terrain open. High winds frequently mean that resort chairlifts can be placed on wind hold or closed for the day, especially on the upper mountain. Sometimes, strong storms mean loss of power to the resorts, and equipment like chairlifts can get iced over and become nonoperational. In short: You could battle the worst weather and road conditions to make it to the resort of your choice, only to find that the resort isn’t even \u003cem>able\u003c/em> to open.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If the worst happens, and you realize you need to change your trip, don’t assume you’ll lose all your money from postponing. While hotels and ski resorts often won’t let you outright \u003cem>cancel\u003c/em> your prepaid purchases due to weather, you might find you can change the date itself free of charge.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Consider calling the hotel or resort directly, being prepared to be patient and courteous (and mindful that you might be one of many folks making the same call) and ask them what’s possible.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"chaincontroltahoe\">\u003c/a>Chain control: Do I have the right vehicle for Tahoe?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Know exactly what ‘chain control’ means\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Chain control is a reality of traveling to and around the Tahoe region, and you shouldn’t travel to Tahoe without knowing about it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Chains” is a catchall term for a traction device that’s fitted onto the tires of a vehicle’s drive wheels and gives that vehicle more traction on snowy and icy roads. These can look like link-type chains, or what’s called alternative traction devices (ATD), which can include cable chains, textile snow chains, wheel-hub-attached chains and automatic tire chains.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Different kinds of chains are best for different types of vehicles, and you can purchase your own chains for your vehicle or rent them for your trip. \u003ca href=\"https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/documents/chainrequire-a11y.pdf\">Read more about the kinds of chains you can use on your vehicle (PDF).\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips/chain-controls\">California has three levels of chain requirements (“R”)\u003c/a>. R1 applies to the heaviest vehicles, like trucks. R2 is the chain requirement that applies most to drivers of passenger cars headed up to Tahoe. (R3 chain control requires chains on \u003cem>all\u003c/em> vehicles, even those with AWD and snow tires, although it’s more likely a road would be closed outright before R3 chain controls were implemented.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How do I know if I need chains?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>R2 chain control means that unless your vehicle has all-wheel drive (AWD, also known as four-wheel drive) and snow-tread tires on all four wheels, you need to use chains on your vehicle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This means that if you have AWD but no snow-tread tires, you need to install chains on your car in a chain control area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Less commonly, if you have snow-tread tires but no AWD, you also need to use chains.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Caltrans says that you’ll usually have “about a mile” between “Chains Required” signs and any chain control checkpoint to install your chains. You can be cited and fined by the California Highway Patrol for not observing chain controls in Tahoe. \u003ca href=\"https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips/chain-controls\">Read more from Caltrans about chain control requirements.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Don’t assume your AWD vehicle has the right tires\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“All-wheel drive is useless if you don’t have the right tires,” says Nelson. So how do you know whether your vehicle has snow-tread tires?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They’ll say “mud and snow” on the tires themselves, usually marked as “M + S.” You might also see a snowflake symbol on the sidewall.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11937287\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11937287\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/M-and-S-tires.jpg\" alt=\"A closeup photo of a car tire, with markings on it.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/M-and-S-tires.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/M-and-S-tires-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/M-and-S-tires-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/M-and-S-tires-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/M-and-S-tires-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Wondering if your car has snow-tread tires? Look for ‘M + S’ and the snowflake icon on your tire’s sidewall. \u003ccite>(Carly Severn/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Even if you have AWD and snow-tread tires, you should still carry chains\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Caltrans makes it clear: Even if you’re driving an AWD vehicle, you must still \u003cem>carry\u003c/em> chains in chain control areas. This is because \u003ca href=\"https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips/chain-controls\">the highest R3 chain control requirement technically requires all vehicles, regardless of AWD or tires, to use chains\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You may be asked to show these chains in your vehicle at a checkpoint. For that reason, it’s a good idea to have them clearly visible in your car so a Caltrans worker can see they’re present.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca id=\"rentalcarchains\">\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>Rental cars might not let you use chains\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s totally understandable to want to rent a vehicle to travel up to Tahoe — maybe you’re flying into a nearby airport like Sacramento or Reno, or you need a car that carries a larger party for your trip.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But there’s one thing you absolutely must know about: Many rental car companies will not allow you to fit chains or other traction devices on the tires of your rental car. And if you’ve rented a car that doesn’t have mud and snow tires — even if it has AWD — and you hit an area where R2 chain control is in effect, a Caltrans chains checkpoint \u003cem>will\u003c/em> make you turn around.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This is something that happens “pretty frequently,” confirms Nelson, who says he and his Caltrans colleagues see drivers of rental cars without mud and snow tires “basically pleading, begging” to be allowed through a Tahoe chain control checkpoint without chains.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s not going to matter,” says Nelson. “We’re going to turn them around, because it’s a safety factor for us.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Always check directly with your rental car company about their chain installation policy. Some rental companies will also let you filter results for cars on their site by whether they have mud and snow tires, before you book.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How do I know whether chain control is in effect where I’m traveling?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If chain control is in effect in an area, you’ll see signs on the road indicating this. They’ll either look like permanent black signs on the side of the road, flipped around so they’re facing oncoming traffic, or illuminated signs over the highway. On lower-elevation areas of roads like I-80, Highway 50 and Highway 88, you may also see illuminated road signs giving you the heads-up about chain controls up ahead.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can see chain control areas marked on \u003ca href=\"https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/\">Caltrans’ QuickMap site or app\u003c/a>, or call the Caltrans Highway Information Network at (800) 427-7623.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Certain roads may also have a Caltrans checkpoint at the start of a chain control area, staffed by Caltrans workers. At these checkpoints, Caltrans staff will manually verify whether you have the required vehicle and tires to go through the checkpoint.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you don’t have AWD and snow-tread tires, they’ll ask you to pull over or turn around to install chains on your vehicle. If you aren’t carrying chains, you \u003cem>will\u003c/em> be asked to turn around and leave the area the way you came.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even if there’s no checkpoint, or road authority staff present in a chain control area, you still need to pull over safely and install your chains, if your vehicle needs them. You might hit a checkpoint further up the road, or have a Caltrans staffer or California Highway Patrol officer pull you over if you don’t have chains in a chain control area, where you can be fined.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Whether you’re having someone fit your chains for you, or installing them yourself, you must only pull over to the right and fit your chains in an area where it’s safe, which will almost certainly be in a designated chain installation area off the side of the road. You must not block the road to fit your chains, or risk your safety (or that of others) when installing your chains. \u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#chaincontroltahoe\">Jump to more information about installing chains in chain control areas. \u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How do I know which chains I should buy or rent for my vehicle?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Check your vehicle’s manual for any information about which chain-style traction devices are recommended (or even prohibited, as with certain vehicles). The exact chains or other traction devices you buy will also depend on your tires’ size. You can find your tire size on the sidewall of your tires, which will start with a “P.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also find \u003ca href=\"https://www.etrailer.com/faq-snow-tire-chain-comparison.aspx\">guides like this online with advice on buying and fitting snow chains\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can buy chains up in the Tahoe region, and in fact you’ll see several businesses along major entry roads to the Lake Tahoe area advertising their chains. Buying chains in Tahoe when you need them might well be more expensive than purchasing them back in the Bay Area, especially during periods of strong weather and frequent chain control.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Option 1 for chain installation: Pay someone to fit your chains for you\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At chain control checkpoints, you’ll very often see chain installers who can do it for you — for a price.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These installers aren’t Caltrans employees, says Nelson, but they’re contracted and permitted through the agency. A usual price for this would be $40 to install chains, and $20 to remove them at the point where chain control ends, but “sometimes they’ll raise their rates depending on the need,” advises Nelson.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Caltrans makes clear that these independent chain installers are not allowed to sell or rent chains to you — only fit or remove ones you already have. The agency also recommends that if you pay an installer to fit your chains, you should get a receipt and “jot the installer’s badge number on it,” which they say “may help with any misunderstandings later.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But remember, not all areas where chain control is in effect will have contracted installers on hand to fit your chains for you. That’s why it’s a good idea to opt for the second option …\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Option 2 for chain installation: Learn how to do it yourself (recommended)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If you can [fit your chains] yourself, you’re going to save some time and some money,” says Nelson.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can find \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+fit+snow+chains\">many YouTube video tutorials that demonstrate how to install your vehicle’s chains\u003c/a>. Installing chains is definitely easier with more than two people on hand, but it’s a very useful skill to know how to do it solo, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’ve never installed chains before, you \u003cem>will\u003c/em> find it tricky and time-consuming the first few times you practice. This is why it’s a really good idea to do several of these “practice rounds” at home on your own street or driveway. “You definitely don’t want your first time putting chains on to be actually up on the mountain,” warns Nelson.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember, you could very well find yourself installing chains for real at a chain control checkpoint in the dark, or when it’s very cold, or actively snowing or raining. Consider packing a headlamp (or a flashlight for someone else to hold), and fingerless gloves to allow you to maneuver the chain links.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For true realism, also consider practicing installing your chains at home at night, or even when it’s raining — because that could well be the environment in which you’re doing this for real in the mountains, at much higher elevation and in the freezing cold.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11937341\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11937341 size-full\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61932_GettyImages-1244611410-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A peachy pink sky, with a low, blue line of clouds, taken from the side of a snowy road overlooking a valley full of conifers and snow.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61932_GettyImages-1244611410-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61932_GettyImages-1244611410-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61932_GettyImages-1244611410-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61932_GettyImages-1244611410-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/01/RS61932_GettyImages-1244611410-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sunrise view as snow blankets South Lake Tahoe on Nov. 8, 2022. \u003ccite>(Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"safetodrivetahoe\">\u003c/a>Advice for safer driving in Tahoe in the winter\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Preparing yourself and your vehicle for a winter journey\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You’ll need to prepare more for a winter journey in Tahoe than you usually would for travel outside the mountains. In addition to making sure your vehicle’s in good working order (brakes, wipers, heater, etc.), you’ll need to carry chains (see above).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Make sure you also have as much fuel as possible at all times. Not only could gas become more expensive as you approach the mountains, but you could be delayed or even held on the road, which will burn up the fuel in your tank. Gaining elevation as you ascend into the mountains will also use more gas. Running out of gas at the best of times is no fun — running out of gas at 7,000 feet of elevation in a freezing blizzard is way worse.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since winter travel brings with it the possibility of delays, or even being stuck on a road when it’s closed due to weather, it’s also a good idea to have the following items in your car:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Food and water\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Warm blankets\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Extra clothing\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>A shovel, in case you need to dig your vehicle out of snow\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>An ice scraper\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Don’t always follow Google Maps and co.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Strong weather can mean more traffic, and navigation apps like Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze can sometimes suggest alternative routes to save you time, or “shortcuts.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the mountains, and especially during or just after bad weather, you should be very wary of taking these shortcuts. That’s because your navigation app very well might not account for weather or road conditions on the side roads it’s recommending, and you could find yourself on a steep, unplowed road that’s not safe for your particular vehicle to drive in winter conditions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If in doubt, stick to the main, plowed roads, even if there’s traffic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Take it slow\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You’ll see the words “Ice and snow, take it slow” on road signs in Tahoe, and you should heed the advice — especially in areas with chain control, which is in effect for a reason.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It is tricky driving in snow and ice, but I’ll tell you, if people actually drove the speed limit in chain controls, they’d have no issues on Interstate 80,” says Nelson. “It’s 30 miles an hour. And on Highway 50, it’s 25 miles an hour in chain checkpoint areas.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you adhere to the speed limits, says Nelson, “then you’re fine. It’s the people that still try to drive 55, 60 miles an hour in snow. That’s when problems start.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Leave far more braking distance between you and the car ahead than you normally would. If cars behind you are clearly trying to go much faster than you, that’s their issue. Pull over only when it’s safe to do so, and let them pass.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11933784\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11933784\" src=\"https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/Tahoe-screenshot.png\" alt=\"A screenshot of trucks driving through the snowy conditions on the road.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1230\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/Tahoe-screenshot.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/Tahoe-screenshot-800x513.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/Tahoe-screenshot-1020x653.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/Tahoe-screenshot-160x103.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/Tahoe-screenshot-1536x984.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A screenshot of trucks driving through the snowy conditions on Interstate 80 at Donner Summit on Dec. 1, 2022. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Caltrans)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Know how to drive safer on winter mountain roads\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips\">Caltrans has a list of winter driving tips\u003c/a> you’d be wise to read before making your journey to Tahoe.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to taking it slow and steady, be aware of the risk of ice in areas of the road that are shaded by the sun — and also on \u003ca href=\"https://www.forbes.com/sites/marshallshepherd/2017/12/19/the-science-of-why-bridges-ice-before-roads/?sh=194a49857cd0\">bridges, which freeze faster that the road before and after them\u003c/a> owing to the air underneath.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssgAWdMfqz0\">Watch for the flashing amber lights of snow removal equipment\u003c/a> on the road, such as snowplows or salt brine trucks, and give them a wide berth.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Know what you’d do if your vehicle did hit a patch of ice and go into a skid. There are \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+get+out+of+skid\">many video tutorials online demonstrating how to control and correct a skid\u003c/a>. It’s a good idea to watch a few of them so you can see what the advice for correcting a skid — \u003ca href=\"https://www.aarp.org/auto/driver-safety/the-car-skids-what-you-should-do/\">take your feet off the pedals and turn into the direction you want to go\u003c/a> — looks like in action.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Remember, when you finally reach the Tahoe area …\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>… you might be glad you brought the shovel mentioned above if you wake up at your hotel or accommodation to find your car has accumulated several feet of snow overnight. (Hotels will often provide shovels, too, but they’ll be shared among many guests trying to do the same thing.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Be sure to brush as much of the snow off the top of your vehicle as you can before leaving a parking lot. If you don’t, a large sheet of snow can later fall off your car — either blocking your own windshield, or falling onto the road (or the car) behind you and causing a potential hazard to other motorists. Caltrans suggests you could even bring a broom in your car for this purpose, if snow is forecast during your stay. At the very least, it’s a courtesy to your fellow motorists — at the most, you’ll avoid causing a potentially serious accident.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Finally, remember: You don’t have to \u003cem>drive\u003c/em> to go to Tahoe\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If all of this advice about winter driving is making you reconsider driving up to Tahoe, but you still really want to visit the mountains, you should know there are several public and private options for traveling to Tahoe other than driving.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These include:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://shop.sportsbasement.com/products/sbskibus\">The Sports Basement Ski Bus\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.tahoeskitrips.net/browse-trips/teen-family\">Tahoe Ski Bus\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.amtrak.com/stations/tru\">Amtrak to Truckee\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.greyhound.com/en-us/bus-stations-in-truckee\">Greyhound to Truckee\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Several hotels offer shuttles (sometimes free, sometimes paid) to the resorts, and many resorts also offer shuttles to different locations and parking lots.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>An earlier version of this story was originally published on Nov. 22.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"headTitle": "Bay Area ‘Stuck’ With Unusually Cold Weather, Thanks to This Naturally Occurring Culprit | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>San Francisco might be known for cold summers, but so far, this December has given \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/lowdown/13025/making-sense-of-san-franciscos-bone-chilling-summertime-fog\">June gloom\u003c/a> a run for its money.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The city — and large parts of the East and North Bays — have been unseasonably chilly for weeks, and even the National Weather Service seems to be getting fed up: “Different day, same weather,” the organization’s Bay Area office wrote in its \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?format=CI&glossary=1&issuedby=MTR&product=AFD&site=MTR&version=1\">forecast for Thursday\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In San Francisco, temperatures have lingered in the 50s, about four degrees below December norms, while other parts of the Bay have seen even colder weather than usual.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The culprit, according to NWS meteorologist Roger Gass, is a thick layer of fog from the Central Valley that’s been settled over much of the Bay Area for weeks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Early season storms allowed thick, low tule fog — which often follows significant rainfall, as the ground rapidly cools, emitting heat into space — to form over much of the region, and a pattern of high atmospheric pressure to sweep in above — in effect, locking it in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11682717\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11682717\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/07/RS31902_Fog_BayCurious_AW_18-e1765475217653.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cars cross the Golden Gate Bridge in heavy fog on July 13, 2018. \u003ccite>(Anne Wernikoff/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“It’s leaving a pretty stagnant air mass in place,” Gass said. “We’re basically kind of stuck in this pattern, and we’re going to have to wait until a significant change in the weather pattern,” to get out, he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Without the fog in place, temperatures would likely be much warmer, Gass said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While daily highs in \u003ca href=\"https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=daily-summaries&startDate=2025-12-01&endDate=2025-12-31&stations=USR0000COKN&format=pdf\">Oakland\u003c/a> and parts of \u003ca href=\"https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=daily-summaries&startDate=2025-12-01&endDate=2025-12-31&stations=USR0000CBIR&format=pdf\">Marin\u003c/a> have been as low as 45 and 43 degrees, typically foggy Half Moon Bay has been enjoying sunny skies and average highs bordering on 70 degrees.[aside postID=news_12065655 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/11/241219-BayBridgeCables-04_qed.jpg']That’s because offshore winds are blowing fog out to sea along the San Mateo coast, revealing a relatively warm sun, much to the envy of the rest of the Bay. Sunnier skies in San José have also meant slightly higher temperatures.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A similarly oddity is happening between the Central Valley and Sierra Nevada mountains — Sacramento’s high is projected at 46 degrees on Thursday, while South Lake Tahoe could hit 63 degrees.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So, when might the seemingly endless fog finally clear?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Gass said the forecast has been difficult to predict in recent weeks, but the Weather Service is projecting that the current high-pressure system holding fog in place could begin to shift to the east this weekend.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“That potentially could be a significant enough change to actually clear out [the fog],” Gass said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While that could make way for warmer weather, it won’t necessarily mean clear, sunny skies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Tule fog will likely continue over the Central Valley, where it’s infamous this time of year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the Bay Area, the Weather Service is predicting a chance of rain as soon as Monday, followed by an atmospheric river that could sweep through Northern California late next week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>San Francisco might be known for cold summers, but so far, this December has given \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/lowdown/13025/making-sense-of-san-franciscos-bone-chilling-summertime-fog\">June gloom\u003c/a> a run for its money.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The city — and large parts of the East and North Bays — have been unseasonably chilly for weeks, and even the National Weather Service seems to be getting fed up: “Different day, same weather,” the organization’s Bay Area office wrote in its \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?format=CI&glossary=1&issuedby=MTR&product=AFD&site=MTR&version=1\">forecast for Thursday\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In San Francisco, temperatures have lingered in the 50s, about four degrees below December norms, while other parts of the Bay have seen even colder weather than usual.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The culprit, according to NWS meteorologist Roger Gass, is a thick layer of fog from the Central Valley that’s been settled over much of the Bay Area for weeks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Early season storms allowed thick, low tule fog — which often follows significant rainfall, as the ground rapidly cools, emitting heat into space — to form over much of the region, and a pattern of high atmospheric pressure to sweep in above — in effect, locking it in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11682717\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11682717\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/07/RS31902_Fog_BayCurious_AW_18-e1765475217653.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cars cross the Golden Gate Bridge in heavy fog on July 13, 2018. \u003ccite>(Anne Wernikoff/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“It’s leaving a pretty stagnant air mass in place,” Gass said. “We’re basically kind of stuck in this pattern, and we’re going to have to wait until a significant change in the weather pattern,” to get out, he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Without the fog in place, temperatures would likely be much warmer, Gass said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While daily highs in \u003ca href=\"https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=daily-summaries&startDate=2025-12-01&endDate=2025-12-31&stations=USR0000COKN&format=pdf\">Oakland\u003c/a> and parts of \u003ca href=\"https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=daily-summaries&startDate=2025-12-01&endDate=2025-12-31&stations=USR0000CBIR&format=pdf\">Marin\u003c/a> have been as low as 45 and 43 degrees, typically foggy Half Moon Bay has been enjoying sunny skies and average highs bordering on 70 degrees.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>That’s because offshore winds are blowing fog out to sea along the San Mateo coast, revealing a relatively warm sun, much to the envy of the rest of the Bay. Sunnier skies in San José have also meant slightly higher temperatures.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A similarly oddity is happening between the Central Valley and Sierra Nevada mountains — Sacramento’s high is projected at 46 degrees on Thursday, while South Lake Tahoe could hit 63 degrees.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So, when might the seemingly endless fog finally clear?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Gass said the forecast has been difficult to predict in recent weeks, but the Weather Service is projecting that the current high-pressure system holding fog in place could begin to shift to the east this weekend.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“That potentially could be a significant enough change to actually clear out [the fog],” Gass said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While that could make way for warmer weather, it won’t necessarily mean clear, sunny skies.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Tule fog will likely continue over the Central Valley, where it’s infamous this time of year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the Bay Area, the Weather Service is predicting a chance of rain as soon as Monday, followed by an atmospheric river that could sweep through Northern California late next week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"possible": {
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"info": "Possible is hosted by entrepreneur Reid Hoffman and writer Aria Finger. Together in Possible, Hoffman and Finger lead enlightening discussions about building a brighter collective future. The show features interviews with visionary guests like Trevor Noah, Sam Altman and Janette Sadik-Khan. Possible paints an optimistic portrait of the world we can create through science, policy, business, art and our shared humanity. It asks: What if everything goes right for once? How can we get there? Each episode also includes a short fiction story generated by advanced AI GPT-4, serving as a thought-provoking springboard to speculate how humanity could leverage technology for good.",
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"soldout": {
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"info": "Tech Nation is a weekly public radio program, hosted by Dr. Moira Gunn. Founded in 1993, it has grown from a simple interview show to a multi-faceted production, featuring conversations with noted technology and science leaders, and a weekly science and technology-related commentary.",
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"tagline": "Local news to keep you rooted",
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