The latest winter storm in San Diego County left more than a foot of snow in many areas of the local mountains.
The National Weather Service says the official recorded snowfall amounts ranged from about one foot in Mt. Laguna, Palomar Mountain and other nearby areas, including Lake Cuyamaca. At least 9 inches of snow fell in Julian with a few inches in Pine Valley. Some residents reported close to two feet of snow in the highest elevations. Snow levels fell to about 2,000 feet Thursday night.
The storm also brought gusty winds and icy roads. The snow and ice forced the closure of a stretch of Interstate 8 in the Alpine area on Friday morning. Caltrans reported the eastbound side of I-8 at East Willows Road was completely shut down because of the road conditions. The California Highway Patrol said traffic was being diverted off East Willows Road and back onto West Willows Road.
All lanes of westbound I-8 at In-Ko-Pah were also closed due to the ice and snow on the roadway. Traffic was being turned away at Imperial Highway according to the CHP.
(Photo credit Phil Farrar, KOGO News)