Heavy Snow Expected in Idyllwild, Mountain Center by Sunday

Chains or snow tires were required for cars traveling on Highway 243 in the Idyllwid area Saturday, as a winter storm blew in.

The chain restrictions were up on both sides of the Idyllwild and Pine Cove communities, between the junction of State Route 74 to Lake Fulmore, Caltrans said. The lake is about midway between Idyllwild and Beaumont.

Chain requirements were in effect for Highway 243 near Idyllwild, but were not in effect as of 4:45 p.m. for the Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead resort areas.

The National Weather Service expects anywhere from four to 10 inches of snow to blanket Idyllwild and Mountain Center by Sunday afternoon.

Currently, the area is experiencing light showers. Heavier showers are expected tonight.

Heavy snowfall was expected tonight in some areas in the San Diego County mountains recently buffeted by strong, gusty winds.

A National Weather Service wind advisory expired at 4 p.m. although 15 to 25 mile per hour winds with gusts of up to 30 mph were expected through Sunday morning. The advisory was immediately followed by a winter storm warning set to remain in ethe mountains until 4 p.m. Monday.

Early Saturday, gauges recorded gusts of 61 mph in Harrison Park, of 59 mph on Volcan Mountain and of 58 mph near the Lucky Five Ranch, all near Julian, and of 48 mph in Boulevard, according to the weather service.

Forecasters said the low pressure system that brought strong, gusty wind to the mountains and deserts would also usher moderate snow showers into mountain elevations of 5,000 feet tonight. Heavier snow was expected to fall in areas around 4,500 feet Sunday.

“A cold low pressure system from the north will bring periods of snow showers into early Tuesday with locally heavy snowfall possible,” according to the weather service. “Snow levels will lower to between 4,500 to 5,000 feet by Sunday night.”

Less than four inches of snow accumulation is forecasted for areas between 4,000 and 5,000 feet, four to eight inches is expected from 5,000 to 6,000 feet and a foot or more could be possible higher then 6,000 feet, forecasters said.

— City News Service.

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