[UPDATE 8:33 a.m.: Multiple Crashes on 101 and 299 Centered Around McKinleyville] Snowy Summits and Slick Roads Complicate North Coast Travel

Snow on Berry Summit this morning as seen on the Caltrans Traffic Cam.

UPDATE 8:33 a.m.: The morning commute is snarled by multiple accidents caused by winter conditions on 101 from Trinidad to Arcata and from 101 to Glendale on 299.

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Brr! So cold this morning! And how about that lightning storm last night?

Today, travel across much of the North Coast interior is impacted as a winter storm brings snow to the mountains.

Many highway passes throughout the higher elevations across Humboldt, Trinity, Del Norte, Mendocino, and Lake counties have snow, with chains required in some areas and conditions expected to worsen at times through Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in Eureka.

Forecasters warn that travel over elevations above roughly 2,000 to 2,500 feet could be very difficult or even impossible at times due to heavy snowfall, gusty winds, and the potential for downed trees, power lines, and temporary road closures. But snow could drop as low as 1500 feet in some areas.

Motorists are urged to delay travel if possible and use extreme caution when crossing mountain passes.

Major Highways–Here’s What We Know:

(Most information below is from Caltrans’ Quick Map. If you are heading to Oregon, check their similar site. If you are heading to Nevada, check their similar site.)

• • Interstate 5:  UPDATE 8:24 a.m.: All vehicles traveling on northbound Interstate 5 are being screened for chains at Pollard Flat due to winter weather conditions. Vehicles without chains will not be able to proceed. 
    

    I-5 at north Weed as seen on the Caltrans Traffic Cam

  • Hwy 1: Open
  • Hwy 3: Chains required on and off from 7 miles north of Hayfork to 1 mile south of Douglas City and State Route 3 is CLOSED, at Scott Mountain,
  • Hwy 20: Open
  • Hwy 36: Chains required on and off from 3 miles west of Mad River (Zenia Road)
  • Hwy 96: Open
  • Hwy 101: Open but on and off reports of snow and hail from Trinidad to Klamath. Also reports of icy conditions between Laytonville and Willits.
  • HWY 162 (Covelo Road): Open but traffic moving slowly through the mountains, according to Caltrans QuickMap
  • Hwy 169 (Klamath): Open
  • Hwy 199: Open but snowy
    

    Snow south of Oregon as seen on the Caltrans Traffic Cam

  • Hwy 211: Open
  • Hwy 254 (Avenue of the Giants): Open
  • Hwy 255: Open
  • Hwy 271: Open
  • Hwy 299: Open but watch for snow.
    

    Snow near Berry Summit as seen on the Caltrans Traffic Cam

Humboldt County Roads:

• Alderpoint Road-snowy
• Shelter Cove Road-Snowy

Trinity County Roads: No information at this time.

Mendocino County Roads: No information at this time.

Tips for Travel: Please note that if you worry about getting stuck while traveling in winter weather, an inexpensive heater can be fashioned from a tin and tea candles. The whole heating device takes up very little space.

Consumer Affairs magazine describes how the kit works and why you should use it. They say,

If you’re trapped in your car, running the engine to generate heat is a bad idea for two reasons: one, even starting with a full tank you’ll run out of gas in a few hours, thus leaving you unable to move even when the road eventually clears; and two, if falling or drifting snow or ice blocks your car’s exhaust pipe, you and everyone else in the passenger compartment can quickly die of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Fortunately, it’s easy to make heat without running the engine, and you can put together an emergency automotive heating kit for less than $5. You only need four items: a large-ish metal can with a removable lid, a supply of metal-cup “tea light” candles, some matches, and waterproof resealable sandwich or freezer bags to hold the candles and matches inside the metal can.

(See here for a complete description on how to create this kit to carry with you.)