Upcoming Super El Niño Could Be Strongest Ever; Intermittent State Route 20 Closures at I-80 Junction; More

NORTH AMERICA

El Niño conditions are officially underway in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean as of June 2026, and confidence continues to grow that this will be a “very strong” or “super” El Niño event, possibly challenging all-time records in terms of sea surface temperature anomalies dating back to the 1800s.

The term El Niño refers to the large-scale ocean-atmosphere climate phenomenon linked to periodic warming in sea-surface temperatures across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific.

El Niño represents the warm phase of the ENSO cycle and means that the ocean water temperatures are warmer than average.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has declared that El Niño conditions are officially present in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean. The transition has happened quickly, as La Niña conditions were present from January to March 2026. Since then, sea surface temperatures in the ENSO region have warmed rapidly, a sign of a developing strong (or super) El Niño.

This El Niño event is emerging as an “easterly based” El Niño, meaning that sea surface temperatures are highest just off the coast of South America.

Compared to past emerging El Ninos, the sea surface temperature profile is similar to that of June 2023.

However, the rate of warming is faster this year, as the transition out of La Niña in the Central Pacific didn’t happen until April of 2026, whereas it happened in March of 2023 (this was also a La Niña to El Niño transition year).

OpenSnow feels very confident in saying that El Niño conditions are going to prevail through the fall and winter of 2026/27. In fact, NOAA’s latest monthly projection has nearly a 100% chance of El Niño conditions lasting through the winter season. Generally speaking, during El Niño winters, precipitation tends to be above average along the West Coast.

~ Open Snow news release

NEVADA COUNTY

Caltrans is alerting motorists about the need for intermittent closures of eastbound state Route 20 (SR 20) for construction of the new bridge at the junction of Interstate 80. The work is part of the $112 million Yuba Pass Separation Overhead Bridge Project.

Eastbound SR 20 closures will take place intermittently during the summer and fall months. Exact dates and times are still to be determined.

The closures are needed for public safety during a variety of construction activities, including falsework installation and removal, crane mobilization and demobilization, and concrete pours. Crews will perform flagging operations along SR 20 at the I-80 junction, whenever possible, in an effort to keep the highway open.

Motorists can expect delays and are encouraged to factor in additional travel time for the suggested detours. The schedule is subject to change or be delayed.

When closed, eastbound traffic will be turned around at the Omega Scenic Overlook with access restricted unless needed for local residents and emergency vehicles. The hard closure will be located at the I-80 junction. Westbound SR 20 will remain open for travel between Truckee and the Nevada City/Grass Valley area.

Detour:

• Southbound state Route 49 (SR 49) to connect with I-80 in Auburn.
• Passenger vehicles may also detour southbound on state Route 174 to connect with I-80 in Colfax. 
• Large trucks are directed to use SR 49 only. 

Additionally, the eastbound I-80 off-ramp to westbound SR 20 will be closed. Motorists will detour along eastbound I-80 to Eagle Lakes Road, then head back westbound on I-80 and take the off-ramp to westbound SR 20. Work is expected to be completed by winter 2027.

~ Caltrans District 3 press release

SAND HARBOR

Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) announced the return of the East Shore Express Service for the 2026 summer season, operating daily from June 21 through Sept. 12. The service will follow the same successful route as 2025, with parking available at Tunnel Creek Parking Lot (1102 Tahoe Blvd.) and the Tahoe East Shore Trailhead.

The free transit line will run daily from 10 a.m. to approximately 6:30 p.m., with continuous loop service connecting Incline Village to Sand Harbor State Park.

Eastbound Stops: Incline Village to Sand Harbor

• Continuous loop service begins at 10 a.m.
• Route start: 76 Gas Station (corner of Northwood Boulevard & Tahoe Boulevard/state Route 28).
• Sand Harbor is closed to incoming visitors after 3 p.m. The last bus from Incline Village departs at 3 p.m.

Westbound Stops: Sand Harbor to Incline Village

• Continuous loop service begins at 10:30 a.m.
• Route start: Sand Harbor Visitor’s Center.
• Sand Harbor is open from 8 a.m. to one hour past sunset. Starting at 3:30 p.m., there are only westbound stops. The last bus from Sand Harbor leaves at 6 p.m.

TTD encourages residents and visitors to utilize the East Shore Express and other transit options to help minimize congestion in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

For schedules and additional information on TART services, visit tahoetruckeetransit.com. 

Before planning a visit to Sand Harbor, TTD and Nevada State Parks advise making parking reservations at reservenevada.com or visiting the State Parks Facebook page for real-time capacity updates.

~ Tahoe Transportation District press release

TRUCKEE

The Truckee Chamber of Commerce and Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe Political Action Committee (CATT PAC) are excited to announce the second How to Run for Office Workshop on Monday, June 22, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Truckee Town Hall. In an era when civic engagement is paramount to the success of our communities, aspiring leaders are invited to participate in this workshop designed to prepare them to run for public office.

This interactive workshop will feature experienced local leaders and campaign professionals who will provide practical insights on:

• Getting started as a candidate
• Campaign marketing and messaging strategies
• Campaign finance and reporting requirements
• What it’s really like to serve as an elected official
• Tips and lessons learned from those who have been through the process

Space is limited. Learn more and register at business.truckee.com/events/details/how-to-run-for-office-workshop-2-83764. 

~ Truckee Chamber of Commerce press release

INCLINE VILLAGE

On Saturday, June 13, at approximately 2:30 p.m., the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible drowning on the north shore of Lake Tahoe in Incline Village.

Members of the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District responded to the scene and located an unresponsive adult male who had been moved from the water to the shore by bystanders.

Life-saving measures were attempted by medical personnel. However, the victim was ultimately pronounced deceased.

This incident is currently being investigated as an accidental drowning by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. The victim’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

~ Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post

TRUCKEE

The Truckee Fire Protection District is reminding residents and visitors that a regional burn ban is in effect for the 2026 wildfire season. With Cal Fire forecasters warning of critically dry fuel conditions and a potentially active fire season ahead, the ban is a collaborative prevention effort among several regional fire agencies including Cal Fire which restricts burning residential landscape debris.

All residential campfires, bonfires, charcoal barbecues, and all outdoor cooking involving solid fuel (such as wood and lump charcoal grills) are prohibited throughout the Truckee area. Residents and visitors can use outdoor gas devices including gas fire pits, gas barbecues, pellet barbecues (such as Traegers), and indoor fireplaces.

The ban took effect June 15, 2026, and remains in effect through the fall. Occasional red flag days will require additional restrictions.

For more details, visit truckeefire.org/fire-ban-faq. 

~ Truckee Fire Protection District press release

NEVADA COUNTY

The Nevada County Board of Supervisors approved a balanced $466.5 million budget for fiscal year 2026/27. The budget reflects both fiscal discipline and an increasing commitment to transparency and public engagement.

The 2026/27 budget reflects a 12% increase over the previous year, primarily due to an increase in long-term investments for planned, multi-year one-time projects such as the grant-funded Deer Creek Behavioral Health facility, vehicle replacements for transit and fleet, and completion of the Dog Bar and Hirschdale Bridge replacement projects.

The general fund (approximately $108 million), involving funds where the board of supervisors has the most discretion, centers on vital public services that residents rely on every day, including about 41% allocated to the sheriff’s office. The remainder is shared among other justice system departments, elections, health and human services, land use and environmental health, road maintenance, and libraries.

The county is using $29.1 million in reserves from prior years that were specifically set aside for planned, multi-year projects. 

While property tax is one the main sources of general fund revenue, the county gets just 14 cents of every property tax dollar with the rest going to schools, special districts, and cities. Nearly half of all funding (about 48%) comes from restricted state and federal sources, with the remainder generated locally through property taxes, fees and other revenues.

Learn more at nevadacountyca.gov/budget.  

~ Nevada County press release

PLACER COUNTY

The Placer County Board of Supervisors on June 9 accepted the final report of the 2025 Charter Review Committee and directed staff to prepare proposed charter amendments for future consideration and possible placement on a countywide ballot. 

The Placer County Charter, adopted by voters in 1980, serves as the county’s governing document and establishes the structure, powers, and responsibilities of county government.

The committee, convened every five years as required by the Placer County Charter, spent eight months reviewing county governance practices, gathering public input, and researching charter county best practices. The committee recommended three charter amendments for further consideration.

Board vacancies: The committee recommended extending the timeframe for the board of supervisors to fill a vacant supervisorial seat from 30 days to 60 days. 

County executive officer recruitment and retention: The proposed recommendation would retain the charter’s current requirement that the county executive officer may be removed by a vote of three supervisors unless otherwise provided in an employment agreement.

Board compensation: The committee recommended replacing the current salary formula, which is based on supervisor compensation in neighboring counties, with a benchmark tied to 55% of the salary of a California Superior Court judge. Annual increases would be capped at 10%.

The board voted 5-0 to accept the recommendations and directed staff to write ordinances implementing the changes. The board of supervisors would then enter a process to adopt those ordinances, and then the county will place them before Placer County voters for consideration as ballot measures.

~ Placer County press release

CALIFORNIA

In honor of Juneteenth and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced a special edition of the California State Parks Historian Passport, free to download through July 6. This Historian Passport can be used for free admission at more than 30 historic state parks throughout California for the rest of the calendar year.

The availability of the free pass, which typically costs $50, is made possible by California State Parks Foundation and the California State Railroad Museum Foundation. California State Parks Foundation sees this effort as one way to help ensure cost is not a barrier to connecting people with these important places. While park fees remain an important part of supporting the park system, programs like this create meaningful opportunities for more families and communities to access parks and experience them firsthand. 

From June 17 through July 6, Californians can download the pass for free and then use it for unlimited visits to participating state parks from Juneteenth (June 19) through Dec. 31, 2026. An account with reservecalifornia.com, California State Parks’ official reservation service, is required to download the pass. It can be used for admission of up to four people per pass.

California State Parks Foundation is a key proponent of ensuring all Californians can experience state parks.

The parks that accept the special edition Historian Passport highlight California’s diverse cultural, political, and social history, from Gold Rush-era communities to military landmarks, missions, and museums. A list of participating parks is available at parks.ca.gov/pages/1012/files/dpr335hp.pdf. To download the pass, visit reservecalifornia.com/passes/advancepasses. 

~ California State Parks Foundation press release

TRUCKEE

The Town of Truckee released a public notice of exemption for a land exchange of a 0.04-acre piece of land between the Town of Truckee and the private land owner of 10262 West River St. The project is an exchange of two small portions of developed land to facilitate future improvements to the West River Street frontage. No construction or change of use will occur as part of the land exchange.

For questions on this project, please contact the project manager, Nathan Black, associate engineer.

~ Town of Truckee public notice

TRUCKEE

The Truckee Donner Public Utility District Board of Directors wrapped up its May 6 and June 3 board meetings with a focus on long-term investments in electric reliability and wildfire safety, while also tending to key financial and regulatory business that keeps the utility running transparently and efficiently.

The board approved a construction services contract with RK Contractors, Inc. for the 2026 phase of the Martis Valley Substation Modernization project.

TDPUD engineering staff began developing plans for the substation modernization in 2021. Built in 1982, it is the last of TDPUD’s four substations to undergo a full modernization and rebuild.

The board approved a construction services contract with Herman Weissker Power, Inc. for TDPUD’s Electric System Hardening project.

The project is part of TDPUD’s ongoing system hardening program to improve electric system reliability, reduce wildfire risk, and modernize distribution infrastructure.

The board accepted TDPUD’s audited financial report for fiscal year 2025. The audit was conducted by independent auditing firm Baker Tilly, whose resulting opinion is “unmodified” or “clean” — the highest level of assurance an auditor can provide on the fairness and accuracy of financial statements.

The board approved a first-quarter 2026 Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) of $0.0019 per kilowatt-hour billed, to be applied as a charge on June, July, and August 2026 electric bills.

~ Truckee Donner Public Utility District press release

CALIFORNIA DISTRICT 3

Rep. Kevin Kiley and his office have been named a 2026 Democracy Award recipient by the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) for Best of Constituent Service.

The award honors the representatives delivering exceptional constituent service across California. The Best of Constituent Service category recognizes offices that demonstrate outstanding dedication through effective casework, timely resolution of individual issues, personalized support, and a relentless focus on ensuring constituents receive the help they need.

Winners are selected for their exceptional attention to detail, empathy, and persistence in solving complex constituent problems.

This year’s program drew more than 150 applications from over 80 offices across both chambers — the largest field in the program’s history — with 18 recipients selected across seven categories following interviews with 46 offices.

To learn more about CMF’s Democracy Awards, visit congressfoundation.org/democracy-awards. 

~ Rep. Kevin Kiley press release