South Lake Tahoe, CA- A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for the City of South Lake Tahoe as snow fighters work slowly, but surely to keep roads clear and make travel safer.
We have one plow in each of the City’s eight zones (Stateline, Heavenly, Bijou, Al Tahoe, Tahoe Sierra, Tahoe Keys, Tahoe Island, and Gardner Mountain). We also have two sander trucks out. Mechanics are currently repairing equipment and getting blowers ready for roadway widening once the roads are cleared.
Think about this, in the City of South Lake Tahoe there are 259 miles of roadway in all 8 zones. Then you have to add in about 40% more mileage for all the back ups, intersections, turn-around, berm pushes, center lane clearing, and re-fuel. That brings us to about 360 miles total. With a typical plow speed of 3-4 mph and it takes roughly 13 hours per zone to clear and the deeper or wetter the snow, the longer it takes.
“There is no way to keep up when snowfall rates were 2-4" per hour,” said Jim Marino, Asst. Public Works Director, “We are asking for everyone’s patience as our guys work hard to keep these roads clear.”
As a reminder drivers should anticipate delays and increased travel time throughout the day. Travel is not advised during this time period. To check road conditions in real-time, click here.
City staff anticipates widening of roadways to begin Tuesday night through next week depending on the total snowfall. Bike trails will be secondary operations. For snow safe suggestions, click here.
Plows are already out and will continue to maintain roads as needed.
- The City of South Lake Tahoe's snow removal phone line is (530) 542-6030.
- For County residents, the snow removal phone number is (530) 573-3180.