Big Bear Valley, CA — Last night’s snowfall amounted to an inch or less here in the Big Bear Valley, but was just enough to blanket dirty snow berms with fresh, white powder and prompt chain requirements on our mountain roads. At present (8am, March 4), CalTrans has R2 chain requirements in place for Highways 18 and 330 down the front way, Highway 38 to Angelus Oaks, and on roads within the Big Bear Valley. R2 restrictions mean that two-wheel drive vehicles must have chains on, while four-wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels must be carrying chains. The National Weather Service says that there may be reduced visibility on mountain roads this morning and, given potentially slick conditions, there was a five-vehicle accident on Highway 18 this morning. This pile-up was in the 7am hour, and occurred on Highway 18 just below Lakeview Point between the Arctic Circle and Snow Valley. That said, drivers are advised to proceed with caution and, again, R2 chain requirements are in place for Highway 18, west of the dam, Highways 38 and 330, and roads within the Big Bear Valley. There are no chain requirements for those traveling on Highway 18 east to Lucerne Valley. The City of Big Bear Lake has not reinstated Snow Conditions (which were lifted yesterday morning), so parking on city streets is allowed at this time. For changes to road specifics, see the KBHR Big Bear Road Conditions page.
