As the first of three storms predicted for the week hits the Santa Clarita Valley, officials with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) have implemented “Operation Snowflake” to prepare themselves in the event that snowfall impacts the Grapevine.
On Saturday, the first of three storms forecast for the next week hit the Santa Clarita Valley, bringing light, scattered showers to the area.
However, with the storm comes snowfall, which is expected to fall below 4,500 feet on the I-5 Freeway at the Tejon Pass. This in turn has the potential to impact travel on the 5 Freeway near the Grapevine, according to officials with the CHP Fort Tejon Office.
“Because of this, Operation Snowflake has been implemented for the duration of the storm,” reads an official post from the office Saturday. “In the event I-5 is deemed unsafe for passage, CHP and Caltrans have contingency plans in place to deploy personnel to facilitate detours.”
As of 2:15 p.m. Saturday, the 5 Freeway through the Grapevine remained open, and only a closure warning had been put in place.
See Related: Snow Could Affect Grapevine As Rain, Cool Temperatures In Santa Clarita Weather Forecast
In the event that the Grapevine is shut down, motorists have several alternate routes they can take:
- Northbound travellers
- Take the northbound US-101 to the eastbound State Route 166, then onto the northbound I-5
- Take the northbound 14 Freeway to the westbound State Route 58, then onto the northbound State Route 99
- Southbound traveller
- Take the westbound State Route 166 to the southbound US-101
- Take the southbound State Route 99 to the eastbound State Route 58, then onto the southbound 14 Freeway.
“Note, alternate routes are subject to closure with short/zero notice,” Saturday’s post reads. “Therefore, it is imperative that motorists verify the status of their route(s), prior to travel.”
The second storm in the Santa Clarita weather forecast is expected to hit on Sunday, and is predicted to bring “heavy, sustained snowfall.” This storm has the potential to bring up to one-half inch of precipitation.
A third storm is expected to arrive Wednesday, with some officials predicting it to be the strongest of the three.
Ed. Note: This story will be updated should the Grapevine be closed.
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