Storm leaves legacy of icy roads, bitter cold

Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2002 | 6:07 a.m.

Monday's storm remains Tuesday's headache.

Interstate-80 was open both east of Reno and west over Donner Summit. Otherwise, chains or snow tires were required everywhere else in western Nevada and the Sierra.

The roads were fairly clear in eastern Nevada, but icy fog was causing driving problems on I-80 west of Elko, on U.S. 93 around the junction with U.S. 93-A, on the Lamoille highway and on Jiggs road.

But it was bitterly cold with forecasters calling for even lower readings on Wednesday.

Lows ranged from 16 in Winnemucca to 14 in Reno, minus 7 in Eureka, minus 11 in Elko and 14 in Fallon. But cold was Wildhorse at 36 below.

Las Vegas was above freezing at 37, but was under a rare snow advisory for Tuesday afternoon and night. Forecasters were calling for an inch of snow on the valley floor and 3-6 inches around Mount Charleston.

A chilly sunshine glistened on white roads Tuesday in Reno, where Monday's storm produced an icy layer topped by snow.

"It was absolutely miserable," Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper Patrick McGill said. "It's really slick all over the place."

"The conditions are abnormally icy," said Reno Police spokeswoman Patsy Pointer. "We've had no serious injuries but the potential is there."

Reno snow removal crews were working 12-hour shifts, focusing first on major roads and school bus routes.

Mike Ohnstad of Sparks was driving on I-80 when his car was struck by another that entered the freeway, leaving him spinning helplessly.

"Just hold on and go for the ride," he said.

The conditions forced cancellation of evening classes at the University of Nevada, Reno and Truckee Meadows Community College. Public schools were open on Tuesday.

Wednesday's forecast calls for lows in the single digits west for the first time in more than a year, readings well below zero in the east and below freezing in the unusually snowy south.