High winds, highway closures and lots of snow: How the storm is hitting Placer County

Placer County is expected to see a lot more rain and snow Monday as a winter storm slams into the Sacramento region, causing delays and road closures along Interstate 80.

Parts of the foothill county have already received a foot of snow, the National Weather Service reported. And more is expected. Elevations above 4,000 feet could see 2 to 3 feet of snow, and areas above 6,000 feet could get up to 6 feet of snow with as much as 2 to 3 inches of snow falling an hour.

The snowfall has created treacherous driving conditions along Interstate 80, according to the California Highway Patrol. The highway was closed early Monday after a semi-truck lost control and slid into the shoulder, dangerously close to the barrier wall separating the highway from the steep downward slope at Donner Summit.

“Currently holding traffic I-80 eastbound at Donner Summit for a truck who really wanted an up close experience with the wall,” CHP Truckee said early Monday.

The road has since been cleared, but CHP warns that any unnecessary travel in the Sierra Nevada through Wednesday should be avoided.

Chain controls are in effect for all vehicles — except those with four-wheel drive and snow tires — from Truckee to Drum Forebay in both directions, and along SR-89 from Sugar Pine to South Lake Basin.

Chains are required for all two-wheel drive vehicles on SR-89 from Truckee to Squaw Valley, and to the north to Little Truckee Summit.

Strong winds are also contributing to dangerous driving conditions in eastern Placer County, with 121 mph winds recorded at Alpine Meadows and 114 mph winds at Olympic Valley.

While eastern Placer prepares for more snow, western Placer County is bracing for more rain.

The Auburn Airport recorded 1.6 inches of rain in the last 24 hours, and Lincoln received .49 inches. The weather surge caused a small power outage in Auburn, leaving 41 people without power, according to PG&E.

More rain is expected to hit this evening, with the National Weather Service forecast predicting heavy rains after 4 p.m.

Communities in the lower foothills can expect 1 to 3 inches of rain, according to the forecast. Communities such as Grass Valley can expect 3 to 4 inches of rain.

This storm is expected to wind down by Wednesday morning, but it will only be a short break before another system makes its way through the region. That second system will bring overall rain totals in Sacramento to about 3 inches by Thursday morning.

This story was originally published December 13, 2021 at 11:30 AM.