Up to a foot of snow was expected on Mount Laguna with up to several inches at lower elevations with the National Weather Service issuing a Winter Storm Warning for the area Sunday.
Snow levels dropped to about 3,000 feet Monday morning. Several roads leading to the local mountains were closed Monday. The California Highway Patrol shut down a section of the Sunrise Highway towards Mount Laguna. No vehicles are being allowed north on Sunrise Highway from Old Highway 80, just north of I-8. CHP officials said a chain requirement is in effect for those traveling on Sunrise Highway. The CHP also closed off SR-79, just south of Cuyamaca Lake, to SR-78 in Julian. Chains are also advised for drivers.
The snowy conditions on Sunday led drew visitors to Julian and Mount Laguna, that caused large crowds and traffic.. With the conditions and crowds, the sheriff’s department’s Julian Substation advised travelers to stay away from Julian for their own safety.
Authorities were advising anyone heading to the mountain areas to check road conditions,l chain requirements and weather forecasts before travel.
(Photo credit reporting partner 10News)