Highways 88 and 395 closed at state line

Western Nevada is pretty much boxed in this Boxing Day morning with Highway 395 closed south of the state line, along with highways 50 and 88 and Interstate 80.

Due to blizzard conditions and avalanche concerns in the Eastern Sierra, Caltrans closed a large portion of Highway 395 in Mono County. The highway is closed from 12 miles north of Bishop to Eastside Lane in Walker, a stretch of more than 100 miles. Maintenance crews are working to reopen the highway, when conditions permit.

A high wind warning takes effect starting 8 a.m. and lasting through the day, with blowing snow expected to cause trouble for motorists. Gusts of up to 75 mph in wind prone locations are possible, according to the National Weather Service.

With soils saturated from heavy rains, the winds are likely to knock down trees and take out power lines.

Chain or snow tires are required on the Highway 395-88 corridor as well as over Kingsbury and Spooner Summit and everywhere in the mountains where the roads aren’t already closed.

As of 6:45 a.m. there are already two motorist assists on the Nevada State Police board, with one on Highway 28 two miles from Spooner Junction and the other on Highway 50 at Golf Club Drive.