San Jose, California – Snow and 50 mph wind gusts will hammer higher elevations across the Central Coast and eastern Santa Clara County through Wednesday afternoon, creating dangerous travel conditions above 3,000 feet starting Tuesday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in San Francisco, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 4 p.m. Wednesday for the Santa Lucia Mountains, Los Padres National Forest, the mountains of San Benito County, interior Monterey County including Pinnacles National Park, and the Eastern Santa Clara Hills. Snow totals will range from 4 to 10 inches above 3,000 feet, with the highest peaks picking up 15 to 25 inches. Lower elevations could see little to no accumulation, though brief heavier showers may drop up to 3 inches in some spots.
Wind gusts between 40 and 50 mph above 2,000 feet in the Santa Lucia range and 25 to 40 mph in the Santa Clara Hills will reduce visibility and increase the risk of downed trees and isolated power outages. Highway 130 and mountain routes near Lookout Point and Cordoza Ridge may become slick and snow-covered.
Drivers should delay non-essential mountain travel and carry chains if heading into higher terrain. Hikers and campers should prepare for winter conditions and rapidly changing visibility. The advisory remains in effect through 4 p.m. Wednesday, and additional updates are possible if snowfall intensifies.
