Well, it’s officially winter here in the Big Bear Valley, as we have received about four inches of snow since yesterday’s Winter Solstice, bringing this season’s snow totals to over two feet. You may remember last year this week, when the Big Bear Valley received nearly four feet of snow, prompting the resorts to claim the 2008 dump was the single largest snowfall in 35 years. But, as for today, resorts Bear Mountain and Snow Summit now have a snow depth of up to 36 inches, given fresh powder in addition to snowmaking overnight.
This snowstorm has prompted the City of Big Bear Lake to re-establish Snow Conditions, so no parking on city streets to allow for snowplow operations and the safe passage of emergency vehicles. There are also chain restrictions for all roads to, from and within the Big Bear Valley. CalTrans has implemented R2 controls for Big Bear, as well as Highways 18, 38 and 330, so two-wheel drives must have chains on the drive wheels of the vehicle; four-wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels must be carrying chains. If you are stopping to put on chains, please be sure you are safely out of the roadway before doing so and, if driving in snowy conditions, use your vehicle’s headlights so you can be safely seen on the road. (For updated road info, visit the KBHR Big Bear Road Conditions page.)
Also, the National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning for our area, so those in high-profile vehicles should exercise extra caution, and all should watch for downed power lines and tree limbs during this wind event, which could result in winds of at least 40 miles per hour through this evening.
Update: Sunny skies have returned in the 10am hour, making it a perfect day to hit the slopes!
