San Diego

Snow Blankets San Diego Mountains for Holiday Weekend

NBC 7’s Rory Devine is near Sunrise HWY while officials try to get ice off the road.

The most surprising thing on the menu this Thanksgiving was snow. San Diego County transformed into a Winter Wonderland as families reunited for the holiday weekend – some even taking to the mountains to enjoy the flurries.

The storm brought inches – and in some cases feet – of snow to Southern California mountains as of 3 a.m. Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

Big Bear Resorts had big snowfall with 4 feet of the powder covering the getaway. Palomar Mountain received 22.5 inches, Pine Valley saw a dusting with 2 inches, and the snowfall continued inland, even reaching parts of Interstate 8.

In Pine Valley, a flashing sign is posted, warning drivers of a reduced 25 mph speed limit and chain enforcement. Warnings reach as far west as Lake Jennings.

For those eager to see the local Winter Wonderland or for those who need to commute through the area, chains are required on all vehicles driving on the snowy roadways.

Chris Anderson
Llamas and people walking in snowy Julian in San Diego's East County on Nov. 30, 2019.
Tiffany Tamayo
NBC 7
Snow dusted Interstate 8 in Pine Valley on Thanksgiving Day 2019.
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Drivers pull over on Interstate 8 in Pine Valley on Thanksgiving Day 2019 to enjoy the snow.
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Snow blanketed cliff-hugging roads like this one in Pine Valley on Thanksgiving making it nearly impossible to see.
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Snow dusted Interstate 8 in Pine Valley on Thanksgiving Day 2019.
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Fresh snowfall stuck to trees and road signs in Pine Valley on Thanksgiving Day 2019.
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Caution signs warn drivers of working snow plows in Pine Valley on Thanksgiving Day 2019.
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A snow plow clears the roadway on Interstate 8 in Pine Valley on Thanksgiving Day 2019.
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Drivers pull over to inspect tire chains on their vehicle before driving to higher altitudes on Thanksgiving Day 2019.
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A driver installs tire chains on his car before proceeding to higher altitudes in Pine Valley on Thanksgiving Day 2019.
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A snow play clears the roadway on Interstate 8 in Pine Valley on Thanksgiving 2019.
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Snow covered roadways on Mount Laguna on Thanksgiving Day 2019.
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A Cleveland National Forest Sign on Mount Laguna was so covered in snow on Thanksgiving Day 2019 it could hardly be read.
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A father takes a photo of his kids enjoying the snow on Mount Laguna on Thanksgiving Day 2019.
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A puppy enjoys the snow from the bed of a truck on Mount Laguna on Thanksgiving Day 2019.
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A family poses for a photo in the snow on Mount Laguna on Thanksgiving Day 2019.
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A kids packs up a nasty snowball on Mount Laguna on Thanksgiving Day 2019.

The CHP said only vehicles outfitted with chains or four-wheel drive snow-rated tires will be allowed access to the mountains.

Danica McAdam's Forecast for November 30, 2019

San Diego County Department of Public Works said chains are also required on Montezuma Valley Road.

Sunrise Highway was closed due to ice on Friday but was reopened around 1 p.m. Saturday to a pile of cars waiting to get in.

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Multiple snow plow crews are in the area clearing roadways dusted with snow.

Thanksgiving Day marked the first major snowfall of the season in San Diego County.

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