Storm brings snow, high winds to Sierra Nevada

Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2000 | 10:01 a.m.

Interstate 80 over Donner Summit was open with no controls, but chains were mandatory on U.S. Highway 50 over Echo Summit and Highway 88 over Carson Pass.

Closer to Reno, chains or snow tires were required on U.S. 50 over Spooner Summit and Highway 207 over Kingsbury Grade.

The storm that brought 6 to 18 inches of snow to the Sierra Nevada was expected to bring continued strong winds and a chance of snow to the area at least through Wednesday night.

Campers and trailers were prohibited Tuesday on U.S. Highway 395 in the Washoe Valley south of Reno due to high winds and chains were required due to snow on Interstate 80 west of Reno from Donner Pass to Kingvale, Calif.

A woman and her passenger died when the Ford Explorer she was driving plunged off Highway 50 near Twin Bridges about 2 p.m. The car landed upside down in a culvert. The victims' names were not released as police tried to notify their relatives.

Winds gusting in excess of 60 mph literally swept one woman off her feet in downtown Reno.

"This little lady was trying to cross the street and it just knocked her off her feet," Joanne Schwind told KRNV-TV in Reno. "We went to help her. She was just lying on the ground."

The jet stream, which has stayed far to the north of the region this winter, finally moved to the south allowing storms to build, National Weather Service officials said.

The snow was a welcome at Lake Tahoe ski resorts that have been suffering through the dry conditions.

"This is what it's all about. Let it keep coming down," said Malcolm Tibbetts, Heavenly Ski Resort vice president of mountain operations.

The snow also pleased people who work installing chains on people's tires to improve traction along U.S. Highway 50 and Interstate 80.

"This is a godsend. It's been a really lean year so far," said Michael Lang, who's been doing the job since 1986. It was only his second day on the job this year.

Winds gusting more than 65 mph toppled two semi-trucks Monday afternoon on U.S. 395 through Washoe Valley within minutes of each other because drivers ignored the posted wind restrictions. A third truck also was blown over on Interstate 80 near Boomtown.

No injuries were reported in the accidents, but the two drivers in Washoe Valley will be cited for failing to obey a traffic control device, said Nevada Highway Patrol trooper Jeff Bowers. Both trucks with empty trailers were traveling northbound on U.S. 395 about noon, fell off of the roadway and did not block traffic.

Wind gusts reached 91.8 mph over the ridges on Slide Mountain southwest of Reno.