Winter Weather Advisory as Southern California and Sierra Nevada Stay Deep in Snow

A winter weather advisory phrase captures conditions across the Sierra Nevada and Southern California mountains, where up to three feet of snow has fallen in parts of the San Bernardino Mountains and chain requirements are in place on most mountain roads.

Winter Weather Advisory and chain rules

After back-to-back-to-back storms left slopes and passes blanketed, the California Highway Patrol is urging drivers to be prepared; in Running Springs, officers have been turning away motorists who tried to head up without chains, and many mountain roads remain icy.

Chains on the road: drivers turned away and lessons learned

Some drivers who attempted the climb without traction devices were stopped Thursday, and other visitors were forced to learn how to fit chains on the spot. "I just don't really know how to put them on. I only come up every couple years so I never bothered to learn, " said Andrew Malingowski of Culver City, describing conditions in the San Bernardino Mountains.

Sierra Nevada travel troubles

Officials have placed all mountain roads under a level 2 chain requirement, meaning chains or traction devices are required for all cars except vehicles with four-wheel drive or all-week drive with four snow-tread tires; those exceptions still must carry chains in case conditions worsen. The heavy snowfall has compounded travel troubles across the Sierra Nevada and nearby peaks.

Clearing skies have begun to follow the storm, but that shift is expected to bring colder overnight lows and the potential for black ice on mountain roads. Drivers are advised to slow down to about 25 mph where roads are icy and to carry extra water, food and blankets in case they become stranded.

The winter weather advisory mindset is evident in local warnings and enforcement: with up to three feet of snow in places like the San Bernardino Mountains and icy approaches into mountain communities, CHP officers continue to check for chains and limit access where conditions are unsafe.

Clearing skies will only make for colder overnight lows and potential black ice, and the CHP is urging drivers to carry chains and limit speeds on icy stretches. Those planning to travel into the mountains should be prepared with traction devices and emergency supplies before they go.