Reno Reporter

Extreme cold and record snowfall in northern California and Nevada is being blamed for a 20-car pileup just outside of Reno.

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office responded to car accidents in the southbound lane of U.S. Route 395 near Lake Tahoe, where white-out conditions made visibility difficult, according to an Associated Press report on Dec. 26.

“Volunteers with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Specialized Vehicle Unit and Incident Management Team are wrapping up a rescue operation on Dog Valley/Henness Pass Roads,” tweeted the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.

A snow emergency was declared by Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak as the coldest weather in the Reno-Tahoe area in five years approached, the AP reported Dec. 29. The Lake Tahoe area recorded more than 212 inches of snow this December, which crushed the 1970 record of 179 inches, according to KTVN 2 News.

The AP report stated that more than 10 feet of snow had fallen in the region over the past week alone.

“Crews are battling fallen trees and power lines as well as seven-day snow totals of 6 to 11 feet (1.8 to 3.3 meters),” the National Weather Service said.

The National Weather Service predicted that the front coming from the north would bring single digits to the city of Reno on the night of Dec. 31. Temperatures will continue to fall below zero Jan. 1-2 in the Lake Tahoe area.

The extreme weather has led to road closures throughout the region. 

Interstate 80 reopened from the state line of Nevada and California to near Truckee on Dec. 29, though vehicles with four-wheel drive and snow tires were needed for a 40-mile part west of Truckee to Gold Run. Chains were also required for most other highways in the region.

The California Highway Patrol asked motorists to avoid non-essential travel to avoid needing to close roads like I-80 due to accidents.