I-80 reopens after closure due to whiteout

Interstate 80 has reopened through the Sierra after closing earlier in the afternoon due to whiteout conditions.

The California Department of Transportation reported the closure shortly after 2 p.m. and it lasted a little more than an hour. As of about 3:15 p.m., a Caltrans employee reported traffic was moving slowly.

The California Highway Patrol’s Truckee office reported that a CHP cruiser was totaled while an officer was out with a disabled motorist, delaying the reopening. The officer reportedly was shaken up but was OK. CHP officials urge motorists to slow down.

During the whiteout, westbound traffic was turned around at the California-Nevada state line, and eastbound traffic was held at the nearest chain locations.

This story was originally published December 24, 2015 at 2:43 PM with the headline "I-80 reopens after closure due to whiteout."