Snow and Rain Cause Multiple Vehicle Accidents; Winter Storm Warning Until 3 a.m. Tuesday

Update 8:46pm Monday: Wet snow fell as low as 1,800 feet in parts of San Diego County Monday night, reported the National Weather Service. Snow was possible down to 1,500 through the night. An increase in accidents was reported throughout the county.

In the backcountry, 1 inch of light snow fell at Intermountain Fire Department Station 85 on Highway 78 on the eastern outskirts of Ramona, near the Witch Creek area.

At about 8 p.m., residents reported at least 5 inches of snow in Wynola and Julian. By 9 p.m., Mt. Laguna Fire Station reported about 8 inches there, at approximately 6,000 feet.

Accidents were reported on Highways 78 and 79 in the Santa Ysabel and Mesa Grande areas and on Pine Hill Road in Julian, due to road conditions.

Chains were required on Highway 78, from 3 miles west of Julian to 4.5 miles east of the town, Cal Trans reported at 10 p.m.

Chain control went into effect along Highway 79 and Sunrise Highway to Mt. Laguna at about 6:30 p.m., according to the Highway Patrol and County Department of Public Works.

One vehicle overturned on Highway 79, just north of School House Canyon Road, CHP reported at 6 p.m.  At one point, the CHP reported that the white Ford Ranger might have to be left there due to conditions. CHP reported no injuries.

A Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow in local mountains is in effect through 3 a.m. Tuesday.

At least three vehicles spun out on Pine Hill Road in Julian at about 6:20 p.m. Monday. One went into an embankment. Tow trucks had to be called in.

Another accident was reported at Highways 78 and 79 but no details were available at the time of this report.

The National Weather Service is warning drivers above 2,500 feet to carry chains, extra clothing, water, food and a flashlight in case of an emergency.

The CHP reported approximately 74 accidents from 1 to 6 p.m. on freeways and in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County Monday. The usual number for a "normal weather" 24-hour period is 75.

Patch will monitor weather and roads throughout the evening and file updates.