Snow in Ramona Monday; Julian Schools Closed Tuesday, Winter Storm Warning Extended

The highest elevations in San Diego County could see up to 18 inches of accumulated snow by Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service in its extended Winter Storm Warning. Areas below 4,000 feet may see as much as 8 inches. Snowfalls are due to dissipate after 7 a.m.

Hazardous road conditions were reported throughout the backcountry on Monday night, as snow fell as low as 1,800 feet, according to the National Weather Service. Snow to 1,500 feet was still possible as of midnight.

Intermountain Fire Station 85 on Highway 78 in Ramona reported 1 inch of snow which had dissolved in the rain by about 11 p.m. The station is at about 2,000 feet, near Pine Hill Egg Ranch and Witch Creek.

By 11 p.m., at least 8 inches of snow had fallen in Wynola, Julian and Mt. Laguna. Chains were required on Highway 78 from 3 miles west of Julian to 4.5 miles east of town and along Sunrise Highway.

All schools in Julian will be closed Tuesday, with Wednesday classes starting late, Chan. 10 News reported.

Several vehicles slid off the road in the Julian, Santa Ysabel and Mesa Grande areas, as reported in . No serious injuries were reported. Travelers along I-8 in Boulevard encountered icy conditions, blowing snow and strong winds. Palomar Mountain had snow down to about 2,500 feet. Lake Henshaw received at least 1.5 inches. Update Tuesday morning: Santa Ysabel Casino on Highway 79 reported 4 inches and clear roads. Mt. Laguna Fire reported 6 to 8 inches Tuesday morning.

There were approximately 116 crashes on the freeways and the roads in unincorporated areas between 1 and 9 p.m. Monday, according to the Highway Patrol on Monday night. On a normal "good weather" day, there are usually 50 to 75 in a 24-hour period.