Icy Road Conditions, Hail, Snow, Flurries: Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Icy road conditions were blamed for a six-vehicle crash Monday that left at least one person injured just north of San Jacinto, and the wintry weather conditions are continuing.

The chain collision happened about 8 a.m. on Highway 79, near Gilman Springs Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The vehicles collided on the northbound side of the four-lane corridor. A van went down a steep embankment, injuring the driver, who tumbled out of the vehicle, according to reports from the scene.

Light rain and drizzle passed through the area in the predawn hours, and the precipitation apparently froze on the blacktop.

The injured party, whose name was not disclosed, was taken to a hospital for treatment. There was no immediate word on his condition.

The CHP partially closed the northbound side of the 79 to clear the wreckage.

As of 9:30 a.m., most of the damaged vehicles had been towed away.

But the winter weather continues.

The second of three winter storms expected in the Southland is bringing more rain, hail and snow to Riverside County Monday.

Inland areas could see up to 0.7 inches of rain while some mountain areas could see up to a foot of snow, according to the National Weather Service.

A winter storm warning is in place for the mountain areas above 3,000 feet until 10 p.m. Monday, and the NWS warned that the heavy and low-elevation snowfall could make mountain roads especially treacherous during the storm.

"The Cajon Pass and the I-8 corridor will likely be impacted. The Ortega Highway may be impacted as well due to the low snow levels expected," the NWS warned.

Forecasters said elevations between 3,000 and 4,000 feet could see total snow accumulations of up to 6 inches and 5 to 10 inches of snow above 4,000 feet.

Elevations above 5,000 feet could see up to a foot of snow dumped on them by midweek, the NWS said.

A cold front is expected to accompany the storm, bringing strong arctic winds and lowering temperatures to frigid levels, according to forecasters.

The desert slopes and canyon passes are expected to see the strongest gusts, between 30 and 40 mph, the NWS said.

But even lower elevations like the Santa Rosa Plateau near Murrieta is forecast to see snow flurries Monday.

The agency predicted "A chance of rain showers before 10 p.m. [Monday], then a slight chance of rain and snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent."

While local Murrieta residents will be looking to the Plateau for white powder, the NWS said there will be "little or no snow accumulation."

The storm will move off to the east on Tuesday with the middle of the week seeing more temperate weather before a third storm passes over the region on Friday, bringing "more substantial precipitation and higher snow levels," the NWS said.

So far, the snowfall has been be a boon for skiers and snowboarders headed for the slopes.
Snow Valley Mountain Resort in Running Springs in the San Bernardino Mountains reported receiving 11 to 13 inches of new snow overnight.

Mountain High in Wrightwood reported receiving 21 inches of new snow in the last week, with 12 to 18 inches falling overnight.

Snow Summit and its sister ski resort Bear Mountain in the San Bernardino National Forest reported getting 12 to 14 inches of snow in the last 24 hours.

Motorists heading to ski destinations or otherwise traveling on mountain roads are advised to come prepared with tire chains, as well as an extra flashlight, food and water in their vehicles in case of an emergency.

—City News Service reports