SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – Light precipitation began Thursday morning in the San Francisco Bay Area, with heavier rains expected to move in later in the day. Rainfall will come in periods of light to moderate precipitation through Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. Up to 2 inches of rain is forecasted to fall in lower elevations of the Bay Area and Central Coast.
In the Sierra, a blizzard warning is in effect and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is advising residents not to travel into the snow until it is cleared by authorities. The major winter storm is expected to drop between 5 and 12 feet of snow on Donner Summit along Interstate 80, according to KRON4 Meteorologist John Shrable.
Follow KRON4’s live blog for the latest updates:
Thursday, Feb. 29
3 p.m. — PG&E crews are on call 24/7 for storm response
1:45 p.m. — Wind advisory for Friday
A wind advisory goes into effect Friday at noon until 10 a.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service said. The expected storm will produce southerly winds of 25-35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Winds will be stronger in higher terrain and in coastal area, the NWS said.
12:42 p.m. — SFO reports flight delays, cancellations
San Francisco International Airport is experiencing hundreds of delays and a number of cancellations, according to an airport official.
There are 250 flights experiencing delays, or about 25 percent of all flights, which average 45 to 50 minutes. There have also been 18 flight cancellations as of 12:42 p.m.
Officials did not specify the reason for the delays.
11:50 a.m. — Eastbound I-80 near Donner Lake reopens, chain control in effect
Following a two-hour closure of eastbound lanes on Interstate 80 near Donner Lake, the roadway has reopened as of 11:39 a.m., according to Caltrans District 3. The roadway was closed due to an overturned big rig that blocked all lanes. Video from California Highway Patrol – Truckee above shows the truck being pulled and pushed off the road.
CHP Truckee announced chain control is in effect on I-80 westbound from Truckee to Rainbow and I-80 eastbound from Kingvale to Truckee. Trucks are at minimum restrictions while the chain control is at Requirement Level 2.
10:00 a.m. — High surf advisory issued for Bay Area coast
A high surf advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service that is in effect from 10 a.m. Friday until 4 p.m. on Saturday. Large 15- to 20-foot waves can develop along exposed west-facing beaches on the Bay Area coastline, weather officials said.
“Large waves can sweep across the beach without warning, pulling people into the sea from rocks, jetties, and beaches,” NWS said in its advisory. “These waves can also move large objects such as logs, crushing anyone caught underneath.”
9:45 a.m. — Overturned big rig blocks traffic near Donner Lake
A solo big rig collision on Interstate 80 east of the Donner Lake interchange has blocked all lanes of eastbound traffic, according to CHP Truckee. The driver sustained minor injuries in the crash.
There is no estimated time to reopen the roadway, authorities said.
7:45 a.m. — Historic snowstorm on the way to the Sierra
Weather officials are forecasting 2 to 4 feet of snow falling in towns near Lake Tahoe’s shore, with 5 to 12 feet dropping in the higher elevations between Thursday and Sunday. Winds are expected as high as 100 miles per hour in some areas, creating blizzard and whiteout conditions.
Travel to the Sierra is strongly discouraged. “If you had plans of getting to the Sierra, it is time to cancel those,” Shrable said.
6:10 a.m. — Periodic rain starts in the North Bay
Drivers face a wet morning commute in the North Bay as rainfall early on has covered the roadways. KRON4’s Will Tran reports on and off rain in the area, which can make the roads slick.
