Weekend On the Mountain

WINTER

in the San Bernardinos

January 4, 2019____ California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 8 is alerting the traveling public that the National Weather Service (NWS) is predicting rain and snow in Southern California beginning Saturday, January 5^th through Sunday, January 6^th.  Snow elevations will possibly drop to the 4,000-foot level which will affect all mountain regions in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Cajon Pass and Mountain Pass on Interstate 15 (I-15). Road conditions will be icy in areas that are affected by snow.  

Caltrans Maintenance Crews are preparing state highways for rain and snow. The mountain and pass regions will be preparing the highway in advance of the storm with deicing agents. Snow plows and other equipment are ready, and staff will be working 24/7 during the storm event.

Motorists on the mountain roads are advised to avoid travel during storm events and to SLOW DOWN! Chains will be required in mountain areas. Remember to bring chains even if it not snowing due to sudden weather changes.

Winter driving tips can be found at http://dot.ca.gov/cttravel/winter.html

Chain control information can be found at http://dot.ca.gov/cttravel/chain-controls.html

Mud and debris flows are always possible during heavy rain events. Recent burn areas such as State Route 38 through Forest Falls/Mountain Home Village (Valley Fire), State Route’s 74 and State Route 243 in Idyllwild and Mountain Center (Cranston Fire), and State Route 74 and Interstate 15 in Corona/Lake Elsinore (Holy Fire) are areas of concern.

Evacuations and road closures may be possible on state and local highways due to debris flows. Desert regions are also subject to mud and debris flows. Mountain regions typically experience rock fall activity during and after storm events.

For emergency information in Riverside County go to: https://www.rivcoready.org/ and San Bernardino go to: https://www.sbcfire.org/Programs/ReadySetGoFlood.aspx