Sierra Storm Prompts Travel Advisory

Hazardous conditions expected over mountain passes

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The California Highway Patrol in Placerville has issued a travel advisory for the Sierra region, warning that a ongoing storm is creating extremely hazardous driving conditions with icy roads, low temperatures, and dangerous delays. Drivers are urged to avoid travel if possible until conditions improve.

Why it matters

Heavy snow and freezing temperatures in the Sierra Nevada mountains can pose serious risks to drivers, leading to road closures, collisions, and stranded vehicles. The CHP is working to keep the public safe and clear roads, but recovery efforts are being hampered by continued severe weather and traffic.

The details

According to the CHP's Facebook post, travel over mountain passes in the Sierra will be "extremely hazardous" through Friday morning, with temperatures dropping near zero and creating icy, dangerous road conditions. Drivers are advised to expect chain controls, extreme delays, and slow recovery efforts as crews work to clear snow, respond to collisions, and reopen roadways.

  • The travel advisory was issued on the evening of Thursday, February 19, 2026.
  • The hazardous conditions are expected to continue through Friday morning, February 20, 2026.

The players

California Highway Patrol - Placerville

The local CHP office that issued the travel advisory for the Sierra region.

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What they’re saying

“Travel tonight through tomorrow morning will be extremely hazardous, especially over the passes.”

— California Highway Patrol - Placerville (CHP Placerville Facebook post)

What’s next

The CHP says it will continue working through the storm to keep the public safe, and advises drivers to plan ahead, slow down, and carry chains if travel is necessary.

The takeaway

This storm serves as a reminder of the importance of heeding weather and travel advisories, especially in mountainous regions where conditions can deteriorate rapidly and pose serious risks to drivers. Staying off the roads until conditions improve is the safest option.