(KGTV) - Interstates 5 and 15 shut down in both directions Thursday due to snow falling in low elevations, just two of the weather-related problems on Southern California freeways amid a cold winter storm.
In the Grapevine, Fort Tejon-based California Highway Patrol officers escorted traffic through the mountain pass on I-5 north of Los Angeles.
Officers stopped all drivers about noon while snowplows cleared lanes of the freeway.
UPDATE - SR-79 between I-8 and SR-79/78 junction in Julian, is closed due to snowy roadway conditions. #SDCaltransAlert
— Caltrans San Diego (@SDCaltrans) February 22, 2019
GRAPEVINE: I-5 is CLOSED at Parker Road in Castaic to Grapevine Rd in Kern Co. due to heavy snow conditions. Duration unknown. @CaltranDist7 is plowing and sanding roadway from Frazier Park to Grapevine Rd. Avoid the area and seek alternate routes. #BeWorkZoneAlert Drive safe. pic.twitter.com/fgbeW34XrC
— Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) February 21, 2019
Interstate 5 reopened to traffic two hours later, but limited speeds to 25 miles an hour.
We are now escorting northbound and southbound traffic over the Grapevine at 25 mph. pic.twitter.com/Nm4uM7fye9
— CHP Fort Tejon (@CHPFortTejon) February 21, 2019
At the California-Nevada state line, California Highway Patrol officials shut down traffic between Baker and Nipton from noon until about 3 p.m. due to multiple crashes.
One of the crashes involved a woman who was flown to a Las Vegas hospital after falling from a moving big rig, Nevada Highway Patrol officials said.
Twitter photos showed the normally dry and brown landscape south of Primm covered in snow.
This is the current roadway conditions on I-15 near Bailey Road. Be prepared for snow and ice as you head through the Mountain Pass area. Caltrans it out with plows and CHP units are making sure everyone takes it slow. pic.twitter.com/0lGxW9QrGp
— CHP Barstow (@CHP_Barstow) February 21, 2019
Lower elevations are also feeling the punch of the storm.
The southbound lanes of Interstate 405 closed at Burbank Boulevard Thursday afternoon when a eucalyptus tree fell on the freeway. The fallen tree contributed to a crash involving three vehicles.
A large eucalyptus tree fell onto the SB lanes of the 405 just south of Burbank Blvd this afternoon and a collision occurred involving 3 vehicles. One driver was transported to the hospital with unknown injuries. As of 2:40pm, all SB lanes are open except for the Burbank on-ramp. pic.twitter.com/eUcJYIpeEg
— CHP - West Valley (@CHPWestValley) February 21, 2019
San Bernardino County also reported several weather-related traffic closures.
#SBCoFD dealing with several traffic collisions due to weather. CHP advising hard closure of interstate 15 north & south between Baker and Nipton. Also closures to Hwy 18 going to Big Bear from Lucerne due to snow and ice. Use caution. Krn pic.twitter.com/6GcQ802mtQ
— SB County Fire (@SBCOUNTYFIRE) February 21, 2019
