RAIN ARRIVES, SNOW COMING: Vehicle Overturns on 243

The leading edge of a strong winter storm rolled into the San Gorgonio Pass before sundown Friday with rain that started just after 4 p.m. in Banning.

The cold system barreling in Friday night was expected to bring heavy snowfall to the mountains above the Pass overnight and into Saturday.

A Volvo overturned on Highway 243 about one hour after the rain started. The vehicle was reported on its roof and on fire at 5:06 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

Minutes after the crash, firefighters and paramedics were on scene. The people inside the Volvo got out safe but they were badly shaken. The vehicle came to rest on its roof near the guardrail on the steep side.

In addition to a winter storm warning the San Gorgonio and San Jacinto high country, the National Weather Service issued a flood watch starting at 10 p.m. Friday for the west end of the Pass.

Severe winter conditions including heavy snow and wind gusts to 50 miles per hour were possible in the mountains during the storm, the 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."

Updated winter storm warnings issued Friday afternoon were in effect for elevations above 3,500 feet in the mountains of San Bernardino and Riverside counties through midnight 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 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.

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.