Published: November 25, 2015
"We're currently in the first phase of a long-lived storm system – a Pacific storm purely working with Pacific moisture bringing snow to a number of mountain ranges," weather.com senior meteorologist Nick Wiltgen said. "Later this week, when the storm gets to the Plains, it will intercept Gulf of Mexico moisture and that's when it will become a much messier storm with accumulating ice entering the picture."
Cara has already left behind hefty snow totals of a foot or more. It also brought strong winds that felled trees just one week after a major windstorm killed four people and knocked out power for as many as a million residents.
(MORE: Check the Forecast for Winter Storm Cara)
Here are the latest impacts as Cara begins to dump snow in the West.
Idaho
The National Weather Service in Pocatello reported multiple vehicles slid off the road on Interstate 15 Wednesday afternoon in the Fort Hall area, where KPVI reported traffic on the highway was at a standstill.
3:30 PM 11/25: Slideoffs reported on I-15 in the Fort Hall area from heavy snow. Reduce speeds. #idwx
Road conditions on Interstate 80 have led to spin-outs, and the California Department of Transportation reports that chains are required on all vehicles except those equipped with snow tires on all four wheels in several stretches of road throughout the states. Check the latest travel conditions here.
No serious injuries have been reported, according to the Associated Press.
Snow totals reached nearly a foot in the mountains, as of Wednesday morning. Leading the way with 11 inches were areas near Lake Davis, according to local storm reports.
Sierra Nevada snow lovers- it's piling up on porches and slopes!!! Yay snow storm.
Montana
Inclement conditions prompted the Missoula County Sheriff's Office to advise motorists against traveling, unless for an emergency, Tuesday night, NBC Montana reported. Poor conditions also caused Mountain Line buses to experience delays, and in one case, cancel route operations.North of Missoula, ice forced the closure of U.S. Highway 93 for several hours on Tuesday, according to the Missoulian. The highway reopened at 7 p.m. local time Tuesday night, the report added.
"Vehicles aren't able to gain enough speed to get up the hill." the Missoula County Sheriff's Department posted on Facebook during the closure. "At this time, there is one lane of traffic moving SLOWLY! Deputies are out and advising that people only drive if it's absolutely necessary. Be safe out there!"
Nevada
With winds up to 60 miles per hour in Lake Tahoe, residents in northern Nevada faced upwards of 3,000 power outages before noon today, the AP reported. High winds also accompanied a reported dust storm in Pershing County and Churchill County, with reduced visibility threatening road conditions in both locations."Dry southwesterly winds gusted as high as 46 mph along Interstate 80 near Lovelock around midday Tuesday," Wiltgen said. "Those winds were blowing across the Humboldt Sink, an intermittent dry lake bed in that area, and kicking up blowing dust as a result."
Heavy snow along I-80 caused multiple crashes but no major accidents from Reno across state lines to Truckee, California. "Lots of wrecks, lots of snow," California Highway Patrol Trooper Jeff Billings told the Reno Gazette-Journal. "The best thing to do is to not even go [on I-80]."
At least 10 inches of snow have fallen in the Mount Rose Ski Area, the highest total in the Silver State from Cara so far.
Oregon
Heavy snowfall along Interstate 5 has caused multiple car accidents and delays, according to TripCheck.The snow quickly piled up, especially in Bend. In a three-hour period Tuesday night, the town reported four inches of snowfall. In total, Bend has received 14 inches of snow from Cara, according to local storm reports.
Washington
Strong winds gusting 25 to 40 miles per hour caused downed trees and power lines in Kitsap County, west of Seattle, KIRO-TV reported, affecting more than 40,000 Puget Sound Energy customers and causing several closures. Crews worked overnight Tuesday and into Wednesday morning to restore power to those residents.
High north winds causing some power outages in North Kitsap and this driver escaped injury on Laura Loop Rd @ SR305
Snow on the ground has schools delayed and closing in the Yakima Valley; see the latest here. The Spokesman-Review reports Spokane Public Schools also canceled classes Tuesday, the fifth day of closures for the district, starting their Thanksgiving vacation a day early.
Meanwhile, thousands of customers in Spokane remain without power one week after wind storms hit the state, according to the AP. Avista Utilities warned that some 5,000 customers may not have power back for Thanksgiving, after what the utility company is calling the worst natural disaster Avista has experienced in its 126-year history.
“We are keenly aware of the hardship, stress and frustration people are experiencing, particularly with today’s weather and the holiday approaching,” said Avista CEO Scott Morris. “Our crews and support staff will be working through the Thanksgiving holiday, and we will do what it takes to restore power to every last customer.”
This is a developing story; please check back frequently for updates.
MORE: Winter Storm Bella
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