Southwest RivCo Wakes To Sun, Hot Air Balloons, Snow Covered Mountains

TEMECULA, CA — It isn't every day you can wake up to this much frigid beauty. On Thursday, local photographer Scott Padgett grabbed his camera to capture hot air balloons launching against a backdrop of snowy mountains.

The crisp morning sky in Temecula Valley was breathtaking, as was the view of two bright yellow hot air balloons that appeared frozen in the sky.

From this distance, the snow-covered peaks of Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear appear pristine. Up on the mountain, it's a different story.

The roadways are treacherous for travel, according to Caltrans. All paths up to the area mountains are closed following the storm that dropped another layer of the frigid white stuff and made roads impassable to vehicles.

Anyone hoping to take a snow day from the valley will be disappointed.

For now, residents are advised to gaze at the snow-covered peaks from afar until all roads are cleared for travel.

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