Storm snarls Sierra traffic

Snowy weather and slick roads caused several accidents on Kingsbury Grade, starting at 8 a.m. Thursday morning, according to Sgt. Tom Mezzetta, spokesman for the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

"It's been snowing pretty good up there, from what I understand," he said. "It's really coming down at the sheriff's station."

Crews were removing snow and ice and applying salt and sand Thursday, especially at higher elevations. There were no road closures, said Scott Magruder, spokesman for the Nevada Department of Transportation.

"There are no major problems at this point, but motorists need to slow down," he said.

The storm affected lift operations at Heavenly Ski Resort Thursday. Another 8-12 inches was expected, topping off the resort's 48 to 68-inch base, according to officials there.

"We have cold temperatures and moderate to strong winds with some white-out conditions," said Heavenly spokesman Kent Meyer.

The weather doesn't look like it's going to let up anytime soon.

A series of storms tracking off the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of Alaska are expected to keep Northern Nevada weather cold and wet well into next week, according to Rhett Milne, meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

"We're expecting a decent amount of snow Monday and Tuesday and the storms will be on the colder side, with snow levels near the valley floor," he said. "It could clear out by the middle or end of next week, but that's a little far out at this point."

Stormy weather is forecast today, decreasing to a chance of snow showers Sunday through Tuesday. Friday highs will range from 37 to 47 degrees, warming slightly to between 40 and 50 degrees over the weekend and into next week.

Lows will stay in the 20s and 30s for the most part, according to information from the National Weather Service.

Susie Vasquez can be reached at svasquez@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 211.