Winds gusting to 140 mph through Sierra Nevada passes ahead of a powerful Pacific storm damaged homes and closed schools in the South Lake Tahoe area, and grounded commercial airline flights in Reno.
The sheriff's office in California's El Dorado County says South Tahoe and Mount Tallac high schools and five other campuses were closed Thursday due to a power outage.
No injuries were immediately reported from the storm expected to bring up to 3 feet of snow in higher elevations and rain to the Reno-Sparks area.
Gusts of more than 70 mph canceled at least 30 flights at Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
The Nevada Highway Patrol banned high-profile vehicles on Interstate 580 between Reno and Carson City.
A blizzard warning runs through 4 a.m. Friday for elevations above 6,000 feet.
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