Tehachapi, CA – Drivers crossing the Kern County mountains face near whiteout conditions and chain controls through early Friday as up to 18 inches of additional snow piles up above 6,000 feet and wind gusts reach 55 mph.
According to the National Weather Service in Hanford, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for the Tehachapi area, Frazier Mountain Communities and the Piute Walker Basin until 7 a.m. Friday. Snow totals are expected to increase by 6 to 18 inches above 6,000 feet, with 1 to 6 inches possible above 3,000 feet. Snow levels will hover below 3,000 feet through late morning, rise above 4,000 feet this afternoon, then drop again to around 2,000 feet tonight.
The fluctuating snow levels could quickly change road conditions along Highway 58 through Tehachapi Pass and Interstate 5 near the Grapevine. Strong wind gusts may down tree limbs and reduce visibility to under a quarter mile at times, creating hazardous conditions for both morning and evening commutes.
Officials urge drivers to avoid non-essential travel. If travel is unavoidable, carry extra food, water and a flashlight, and check California road conditions by calling 511 before departure. The warning remains in effect through early Friday, and additional advisories are possible if snowfall rates intensify overnight.
