Snow Storm Closes Sections of the 15 Freeway Leaving Motorists Stranded

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An after-Christmas snowstorm continuously closes and slows freeways throughout southern California on Thursday.

The I-15 freeway in the Cajon Pass typically closes when snow falls on the already dangerous freeway pass. The snow storms of 2019 closed the freeway in both directions on Thanksgiving afternoon and into the night leaving motorists trapped, some for over five hours.

At around 5:45 a.m. on December 26, 2019, snow began falling in the Cajon Pass creating a driving hazard to those on the road, leading to a closure of the freeway. The 15 freeway was closed in both directions from Ranchero Road to Cleghorn for snow plowing. The freeway reopened in the Cajon Pass at around 10:45 a.m. per Caltrans District 8.

The closures for snow plowing have led to closures on the freeway, leaving motorists and their passengers stranded for hours without food or the use of a restroom. Motorists are encouraged to fuel up before getting onto the freeway. In the evening as snow again began falling rapidly and sticking to traffic lanes making for travel at a really slow rate of speed. Motorists should plan for “lengthy” delays on the Cajon Pass and Mountain Pass due to the weather in addition to, the heavy holiday traffic.

The 15 freeway at Mountain Pass closed at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday in both directions from Baker to Primm due to the ice and accidents. There is no expected time of reopening at this time. Motorists are asked to avoid travel to and from Las Vegas, Nevada until further notice.