Severe Conditions Forecast in Mountains Above Pass

A winter storm watch for frigid weather approaching the San  Gorgonio Pass was upgraded to a warning early Friday.

The cold storm is coming into Southern California from Canada. Severe winter conditions including heavy snow and wind gusts to 50 miles per hour were possible in the mountains during the storm, the National Weather Service warned.

The storm is expected to be colder than the one last weekend, with snow levels possibly coming down to 2,000 feet elevation by Saturday, Mike Watkins of the Weather Service said.

A half-inch or more of snow is possible in Beaumont, Banning and Cabazon, Watkins said Friday morning.

"Down to 1,500 feet, you might get a mix of rain and snow," Watkins said. "Snow is possible on Interstate 10."

The winter storm warning was in effect for elevations above 3,500 feet in the mountains of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, from 6 p.m. Friday to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Snow accumulations of 8 to 12 inches are possible above 3,500 feet, and 10 inches to 24 inches are possible above 5,500 feet, according to the Weather Service.

The heaviest snowfall was expected Friday night through Saturday morning.

Sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph were expected with the storm, with gusts to 50 mph. Visibility in the mountains could be near zero times due to heavy snow, blowing snow, and dense fog, the Weather Service warned.

Above Banning and Beaumont on Highway 243, Idyllwild, Pine Cove and Mountain Center were listed in the warning area. There was no mention of Poppet Flats or Twin Pines.

The Weather Service warned that travelers in the mountains should be prepared for hazardous conditions. Motorists were urged to check the latest road reports before going into the mountains, and to carry chains, extra food, and warm clothing.

The approaching storm is colder than the most recent storm because it's coming out of Canada as opposed to the Gulf of Alaska, Weather Service meteorologist Miguel Miller said.

"It's coming out of Canada, and the landmass of the continent right now is much colder than the ocean," Miller said.

Last weekend, a Redondo Beach man got lost in deep snow during an attempt to climb San Jacinto Peak. Alpine-trained volunteers were called out Saturday night in "whiteout conditions," and found the high mountains blanketed by up to 2 feet of fresh-fallen snow.

Brian Carrico, 57, dug a snow cave to survive two nights in below-freezing conditions. Searchers located him Monday in the Willow Creek drainage near Wellman Divide.