Another storm, more road controls

Thursday, Jan. 3, 2002 | 1:27 a.m.

The first Sierra storm of the new year pushed across the mountains Wednesday but failed to live up to expectations after losing much of its punch.

Moisture that was expected to accompany the storm didn't materialize and an earlier warning for the mountains was reduced to a snow advisory. The 12-18 inches forecast initially was reduced to 4-6 inches over the higher peaks.

What fell still managed to snarl traffic. On Interstate-80, where controls were off and on during the day, chains were mandatory over Donner Summit at dusk. Motorists on U.S. 50 over Echo Summit west of Meyers, Calif., also found chains required.

Most other Sierra roadways had driving restrictions as well with chains only on California 28 east of Tahoe City, California 88 and California 267 north of Kings Beach.

Changing conditions kept forecasters scrambling as temperatures warmed more than expected, reaching the low 40s around Lake Tahoe to near 50 in the valleys of western Nevada.

Rain that fell most of the day was expected to turn to snow overnight and forecasters were calling for 1-2 inches on the valley floors around Reno and Carson City by early Thursday.

In the eastern part of the state, fog slowed drivers on I-80 east of Elko, U.S. 50 south of the interstate to Ely and U.S. 93 alternate south of Wendover.

Snow was expected overnight in Elko and White Pine counties, possibly accumulating 1-3 inches by morning.

Partial clearing was expected across the state by Thursday followed by partly cloudy skies and seasonal temperatures through the weekend.