Transportation officials warned of dangerous road conditions at ski resort areas during the Presidents Day holiday weekend after a rock slide triggered a closure on State Route 18 near Big Bear Lake.
Caltrans closed the 18 five miles north of the State Route 330 junction at Snow Valley to Big Bear Dam. This forced some resort-bound motorists to turn around on Saturday.
Authorities said chains are required from the State Route 18 junction to the Mitsubishi plant in Lucerne Valley.
Drivers across Southern California have been facing rough road conditions due to heavy snow and rain over the past week. The Snow Valley Mountain and Mt. Baldy resorts were temporarily closed because of road closures.
The 18 from Running Springs into Big Bear is closed at Green Valley Lake because a portion of road washed away from the recent weather. You will be turned around. Snow Valley is closed. You can drive around up the 38 to get to Big Bear. @KTLA @LaurenLyster pic.twitter.com/Hpg9l7lgLT
— Chris Gierowski (@tepall14) February 16, 2019
Despite sunny weather in Redding, there are currently many areas of chain control in higher elevations. Use QuickMap for current highway conditions and take it slow if traveling through the mountains.https://t.co/7eTKYu0HG6
— Caltrans District 2 (@CaltransD2) February 16, 2019
Work on SR 243 to restore storm damage. #Caltrans8 pic.twitter.com/kKjp71xp79
— Caltrans District 8 (@Caltrans8) February 16, 2019
Meanwhile, Mammoth Mountain announced seeing its snowiest February on record since 1987.
❄️❄️SNOWIEST FEBRUARY ON RECORD!❄️❄️With almost 15 feet of snow at Main Lodge (175”) and 22+ feet at the summit this month, we’ve officially passed 1987 as the snowiest Feb. Storm total since Wed: 47-81” and counting. pic.twitter.com/SBgvNwYrCV
— MammothMountain (@MammothMountain) February 16, 2019