Upward of four inches of snow in the mountains east of San Diego on Sunday stranded motorists and forced the overnight closure of the two state roads connecting Julian with Interstate 8.
The California Highway Patrol closed nearly 30 miles of Route 79 — from Descanso until just north of Julian — and all 20 miles of Sunrise Highway (Route 51) after several vehicles got bogged down in the snow.
Sunday’s storm brought more than 4 inches to areas around Lake Cuyamaca, according to the National Weather Service.
Road re-openings began in phases and with chain requirements early Monday morning. By 10 a.m., Route 79 was fully reopened without restrictions. Sunrise Highway remained closed as of 3 p.m., with no indication of when it might reopen, according to CHP.
Freezing temperatures are expected to last through the week, with a 40 percent chance of snow Monday night followed by significant snowfall hitting Wednesday evening and continuing into the weekend, according to weather service.
— City News Service
