Ice, Snow Forecast On Ortega Highway, Possibly Santa Rosa Plateau

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The second of three winter storms expected in the Southland was slated to arrive Sunday night, bringing more rain and snow to Riverside County into the workweek and beyond.

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 weather advisory was is in place for the mountain areas above 2,500 feet from 10 p.m. Sunday to 10 a.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.

Residents living in the highest elevations of the Santa Rosa Plateau communities of La Cresta, Tenaja and other neighborhoods may see some snow flurries. The winter weather advisory was in effect Sunday night through 10 a.m. Monday morning for the Plateau.

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, according to forecasters.

Elevations above 5,000 feet — such as Idyllwild east of Temecula — could see up to a foot of snow dumped on them by midweek, the NWS said.

The cold front is bringing strong arctic winds and lowering temperatures to frigid levels, according to forecasters.

The NWS characterized the storm as "unusually cold."

Desert slopes and canyon passes are expected to see the strong cold gusts, between 30 and 40 mph, the NWS said.

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 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 contributed to this report.