Road controls expected on Mount Charleston highways tonight

With a powerful winter storm set to hit Mount Charleston on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, vehicles headed up the mountain will be required to have four-wheel drive or snow chains, authorities said this morning.

More than a foot of snow was expected to fall in the storm, and officials might not allow passage for vehicles with only snow tires, depending on the road conditions.

They urged motorists to check highway signs on state Routes 156 and 157 for updated information.

Las Vegas police also warned of gridlock and a limited parking atop the mountain. Any vehicles not parked in one of the fewer than 300 parking spaces will be ticketed and towed, they said.