Las Vegas, Nevada – Whiteout conditions and wind gusts up to 70 mph are slamming the Eastern Sierra and nearby mountain ranges, making travel dangerous to impossible through Wednesday night.
According to the National Weather Service in Las Vegas, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 10 p.m. PST Wednesday for the Eastern Sierra Slopes, White Mountains of Inyo County, Esmeralda and central Nye counties in Nevada, and the Spring Mountains and Sheep Range near Las Vegas above 5,000 feet. Three-day snow totals exceed 3 feet above 8,000 feet along the Eastern Sierra, with 1.5 to 2.5 feet above 7,000 feet and 8 to 16 inches down to 6,000 feet. Winds may gust to 70 mph along exposed slopes.
Highway 168 over Westgard Pass and Highway 266 over Lida Summit could become impassable at times. In the Spring Mountains, including Mt. Charleston and Red Rock Canyon, 8 to 16 inches are expected above 6,000 feet with gusts to 50 mph.
Another round of snow arrives Thursday. Officials urge residents to delay travel and call 511 for the latest road conditions before heading into mountain areas.
