Here's what traffic is like in the worst blizzard in years on Interstate 80 in Sunny California

[NBachers]

Cross Posted to California Forum

[Deuxcents]

1. Days ago..maybe a week ago, the weather channel warned drivers to stay home and don't get caught in this

At least the people in this video are helping each other with good attitudes. 🥶

[NBachers]

7. A standard car wouldn't have a chance in weather like this. Whatever lodging's available must've been filled up long ago

It must be No Vacancy everywhere.

The dog looked like it was having fun, though. Our family dog when I was a kid came alive in the snow & cold weather. He would've been right at home in this blizzard.

[Liberty Belle]

2. Donner Pass, named for the Donner Party--the pioneers stranded in winter who

turned to cannabalism to survive.

Not a place you want to be stuck in the snow--they get insane amounts up there.

[NBachers]

8. I'm happy to be safe at home in The City.

[kysrsoze]

3. I've driven Donner Pass in late winter a couple times.

Even when it’s clear, those are some seriously ominous and angry looking skies. It’s kind of spooky driving through that area.

[NBachers]

9. Yeah, the banshees are definitely out and screaming.

[SWBTATTReg]

4. And these people are still on the road, despite warnings not to proceed. I don't understand this, instead of

getting stuck, for who knows how long, wait until the weather abates. Then perhaps roads will be better, if such a thing is possible in the Donner Pass area. Good luck to those stuck out there, it doesn't look fun.

[NBachers]

10. They're making it much more difficult for the safety and rescue crews. They're multiplying the problems for the trucks.

It's not a place for the foolhardy and inexperienced.

[KS Toronado]

5. Glad it's not snowing here like that.

[Warpy]

6. Donner Paww? Ya kinda want to check that one

since bad weather has trapped hardier souls than you, although the cannibalism was over reported.

Even mild snows here in the Rio Grande Valley can result in Interstates in all 4 directions being closed to the state line.

[DemocraticPatriot]

11. Any roads through 'Donner Pass' would not be my favored routes of travel

under any circumstances except the height of summer--
but then I am a student of history---

with no hunger for human flesh except that which does not include
chewing and swallowing it because I have nothing else to eat....

Glad I don't live in those areas which can get such extreme levels of snowfall---
like east of Lake Erie, or in the Sierras...

[NBachers]

12. Growing up in sight of Lake Ontario, I'm well versed in what the Great Lakes snow effect can produce.

[Retrograde]

18. I-80 is one of the few routes across the Sierras

that's maintained in winter and is usually the last to close. One of the reasons the Donner's path went through this route is because it's one of the lower and less steep ways over the mountains. SR120 over Tioga Pass is a spectacular drive, but it's usually closed half the year.

There's speculation that the Donner party (which was actually several groups of people who happened to be on the road at the same time) would have survived if they had reached the mountains earlier (they dawdled quite a bit on the way) or had turned back and spent the winter near what is now Reno. Two books I recommend are "The Indifferent Stars Above" and "Donner Dinner Party"; the latter is a somewhat irreverent graphic work.

[Old Crank]

13. It is unbelievable to me

That with all the warnings you get people trying to head up there. Just flat out ignorant of hte situation, or think they are better than others when it comes to driving. These people are risking life and limb and not just their own.

They post huge lighted signs on 80 with warnings if you missed news reports or messages from friends.

[NBachers]

14. Right- "These people are risking life and limb and not just their own." Turn around, go back down, back the way you came

Quicksilver Messenger Service's Pride of Man would be quite appropriate at this point.

[Old Crank]

15. Correct.

[Wonder Why]

16. Actually, the person in the picture is pointing out where the next

Repug meeting will be held and which immigrants will be invited because they believe in serving them.

[Faux pas]

17. Yikes!

[pfitz59]

19. If it lasts much longer

we know what's on the menu...

[GenThePerservering]

20. Yeah, Donner Pass

"We eat the stuck ones."

[Xavier Breath]

21. I'd heard reports about the storm

but until I saw the footage on the evening news tonight, I hadn't fully grasped the enormity of the storm. Of course they had to trot a reporter out into the middle of that mess because otherwise the audience wouldn't buy it.

Oh look, it's snowing on the reporter. Well, this story must be legit!