Storm dumps heavy snow in the Sierra

RENO, Nev. - A powerful winter storm that dumped heavy snow in the Sierra over the weekend continued its fury today, adding about another foot of snow with more on the way.

A winter storm warning remained in effect through tonight for the Sierra Nevada and western Nevada above 6,500 feet, where up to 2 feet of snow had fallen by early Monday.

The National Weather Service predicted up to another 4 feet could accumulate at the higher elevations by Tuesday.

Chains or snow tires were required on all three major trans-Sierra highways: Interstate 80 over Donner Summit, U.S. Highway 50 over Echo Summit and Highway 88 over Carson Pass.

No major accidents were reported, but there was bumper-to-bumper traffic Sunday on I-80's westbound lanes in the Truckee, Calif., area.

Morning commuters got a slippery surprise Monday between Reno and Carson City, where fist-sized snowflakes through Washoe Valley made for poor visibility and a slick road.

"There's snow and slush and ice down there," said Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Jeff Bowers. "It's a mess."

The storm brought a mix of rain and snow to Reno and the lower valleys of western Nevada. Snow levels hovered around 4,500 feet early in the day, but were expected to rise to 6,500 feet by midmorning.

Only two weeks ago, the Tahoe snowpack stood at only 20 percent of normal for the season. By Monday, it was closer to 50 percent.

The snowpack was expected to continue heading up because forecasters were calling for a chance of snow every day through Wednesday.

"It's good news for water prospects," said Terry Ryan of the National Weather Service. "It doesn't take long for the snowpack to go back to normal when you have pretty good snow like we've been having lately."

Tahoe-area ski resort operators welcomed the recent storms after a slow start to the season because of below-average snows.

"We had a great weekend," Boreal's Roberts said. "Our parking lot was full and there were lots of smiles out there.

"I think the fresh snow gets everyone jazzed about the winter. The storm doors are definitely open."

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