UPDATE 6:49 p.m.: According to reports on twitter high winds have knocked down several power poles in Modesto. Coffee and Floyd Streets are currently blocked.
The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched down in Eldorado Hills this afternoon.
Here's a cell phone video shot by a spectator.
UPDATE 4:58 p.m.: NWS is investigating a possible tornado touch down in the Modesto and Ceres area. This is a separate tornado than the one in El Dorado Hills.
UPDATE 4:47 p.m.: Evidence of damage in El Dorado Hills and Cameron Park as a tornado moves through the county.
UPDATE: 4:03 p.m.: The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for El Dorado and Amador counties Thursday afternoon.
The warning is in place until 4:30 p.m.
Meanwhile in the Sierra, traffic has been delayed on both Interstate 80 and US Highway 50.
Highway 50 was held in both directions between Point View and Sand Flat due to a hail storm just after 3:30 p.m. Traffic was released as of 4:05 p.m.
At about 2 p.m., officials said traffic was being turned away on I-80 at the California and Nevada stateline due to whiteout conditions. Just after 3 p.m., the California Highway Patrol in Truckee posted on its Facebook Page that eastbound I-80 would reopen.
Joanne Serrieh / Capital Public Radio
According to the CHP post, a cruiser was hit and totaled while an officer was pulled over, trying to assist a disabled vehicle. No injuries were reported in that crash.
I-80 Traffic Halted At California-Nevada Stateline Due To Whiteout Conditions
UPDATE: 2:30 p.m.: Whiteout conditions in the Sierra halted traffic on Interstate 80 Thursday afternoon.
Officials at Caltrans say motorists are being turned back at various locations on eastbound and westbound I-80 near the California and Nevada stateline due to the wind and snow.
There is no estimated time for reopening.
According to the Truckee Police, "visibility can go from several hundred feet to near zero in a matter of seconds." Motorists are being urged "restrict driving trips to essential needs.
Highway 50 is moving, but chain controls are in effect. Motorists should still expect delays between Camino and Meyers.
The National Weather Service predicts the snow will let up in the Reno and Tahoe area by 10 p.m.
In Sacramento, there's a 50 percent chance of showers Thursday night.
There's a 40 percent chance of rain in the Bay Area.
Original Post: Forecasters say a cold winter storm will affect holiday travel on Christmas Eve Thursday.
The storm is a cold, quick-moving system that will bring snow down to 1,500 feet.
Foothill communities will be impacted and officials say there's a possiblity of power outages.
As of early Thursday morning, chain controls are up for much of the area. Officials are telling motorists to allow for extra commute time.
Up to a half an inch of rain is expected in the Sacramento Valley.
By Friday, Christmas Day, the region should see drier weather and a few lingering mountain showers.
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