Winter weather keeps troopers hopping Thursday

Nevada Highway Patrol troopers spent most of Thursday clearing accidents and aiding stranded motorists, thanks to a winter storm that dropped a half-inch of rain and snow in the valley.

Trooper Chuck Allen said dispatchers logged 17 accidents and 15 motorist-assist calls between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m.

"I know a good number of those calls for service today were near the Mount Rose Highway area. There was a rollover on Geiger Grade at the lookout, but there were no injuries," he said.

Scott McGuire, of the National Weather Service, said the precipitation shouldn't be a problem today, but the temperatures will be.

"We'll struggle to get up to freezing. The high will be 30," he said. "And the overnight low will be 9 degrees."

He said Saturday will be partly cloudy with a high of 36 and an overnight low of 18.

"People were used to driving on wet roadways today, but once the temperatures drop, we could have areas of black ice especially on bridges and overpasses," Allen said.

He said the most important thing motorists need to do is be prepared to adjust their driving habits to match the road conditions.

He also suggested people carry chains or cables, and make sure they carry an extra coat or overalls for the installation or removal of those items.

"You should also always try to keep your gas gauge above a quarter tank in the event you encounter a road closure or are stuck in traffic from an accident. It wouldn't hurt for folks to periodically check the pressure on their tires," he said.

While your at it, Allen suggested, check that you have wiper fluid, good wiper blades and clean headlights, taillights and brakelights.

• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.

Road conditions

For winter road conditions:

Call 511 in Nevada or California or

1 (877) 687-6237 if you're outside the state.

You can also go to the Nevada Department of Transportation Web site at www.nevadadot.com