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Thursday Storm Updates: I-80 Closed Between Colfax And Stateline Due To Whiteout Conditions

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — The latest on the storm hitting Northern California on Thursday:

11:59 a.m.

Due to zero visibility, Interstate 80 between Stateline and Colfax is closed.

Caltrans says they are turning all traffic back at Colfax.

High winds and heavy snow are expected to be problems all day. It's not clear when the freeway will be back open.

Snow plows are working overtime to try and keep Sierra roads open.

7:59 a.m.

The heavy snow and wind are making for dangerous conditions in the Sierra. Along with possible blizzard-like conditions, an Avalanche Warning will be in effect for Douglas, El Dorado, Nevada and Washoe counties until Friday morning.

In the valley, traffic is slow on Sacramento area freeways.

6:20 a.m.

The Tahoe Truckee Unified School District has declared a snow day.

All schools in the district will be closed on Thursday.

Caltrans says a Blizzard Warning will go in effect for the Sierra and Tahoe areas at 8 a.m.

Up on the I-80 corridor, snow is fall and wind is pushing it in every direction.

5:30 a.m.

Chain controls are in effect on Interstate 80 from three miles east of Gold Run to seven miles east of Truckee.

Chain controls are also in effect on Highway 50 from 1.5 miles west of Kyburz to Meyers.

A Wind Advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. for the valley. Wind gusts up to 55 mph are expected.

12:11 a.m.

A large storm has decided to arrive fashionably late.

As residents across the region prepared for rain and low-elevation snowfall, Wednesday stayed relatively dry with widespread showers in the Sacramento.

But as CBS13 crews were making their way back to the station, rain and snow were starting to build back in.

And make no mistake—a late start to the storm doesn't mean it's not coming.

Emergency crews are warning drivers heading up to the Sierra to be prepared with up to three days of rations, including water,  if they decide to make the trek. Caltrans will have double the staff working around Kingvale and dozens of plows in force when the snow starts falling, but that won't make the roads any less treacherous.

If you're planning on traveling in the Sierra over the next couple of days, consider doing something else, or you may end up turned back to Colfax. The town of 2,000 is expecting to see an influx of visitors turned away from snowpacked roads this weekend.

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