Drivers Should Plan Ahead for Winter Weather on California Roads
CALIFORNIA — Most of the time, California drivers enjoy some of the best driving conditions in the United States., but winter driving can be treacherous in some areas.
California does get considerable snow and icy conditions in some areas, and it can take both residents and visitors by surprise.
You and your car should be prepared for the roads by checking current road conditions, conducting a safety check on your vehicle, and fixing any problems before you hit the road.
Winter storms in the mountains, as well as areas near these higher elevations, may create icy conditions for motorists. Older residents may remember the record temperatures set just two days before Christmas in Lancaster in 1984. That year had the coldest temperature recorded in Los Angeles County at just 2°F.
Some areas drivers can expect icy roads this winter include:
- Sierra Nevada mountain passes: Many of these roads could close down due to winter weather.
- Monitor Pass: Caltrans crews remove snow and apply deicers and abrasives to this road.
- Southern California: The highways most likely to have snow include: Highways 18, 38, 138, 173, and 330.
- Wrightwood,Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear, Yosemite, June Lake Loop, Mammoth Lakes,
Before you drive to these areas:
- Check the Caltrans Highway Information Network (CHIN) at (800) 427-7623
- Tune to the Caltrans Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) at 530 AM, 1610 AM, or 1670 AM
So whether you are live in the mountains or just visit the colder parts of the state, it’s a good idea to winterize your vehicle. Here are some tips to get your vehicle ready:
- Check your car’s fluids, lights, brakes, battery, and tires. You can also check your owner’s manual for your vehicle’s recommended maintenance schedule.
- Check your antifreeze level and add more if needed. A good ratio is one part water to one part undiluted antifreeze.
- Make sure your tires are properly inflated and have good tread. If you’re driving in the mountains or foothills, you should carry tire chains.
- Keep a winter safety kit in your trunk with items like a flashlight, extra batteries, first aid supplies, and a blanket.
- Winter wipers have rubber that prevents ice from building up on the blades. However, you should remove them in the spring because they’re heavier than regular wipers and can increase the load on the wiper motor.
- Add a special solvent to your windshield washer reservoir to prevent icing.
- Carry an ice scraper, a broom for brushing snow off your car, a shovel to free your car if it is “snowed in”, and sand, or burlap for traction if your wheels get stuck in snow.
- Finally, keep your gas tank full, slow down, and allow more stopping distance between vehicles.
Johnson Attorneys Group is a personal injury law firm serving clients who are injured in California due to a negligent motorist. If you would like to contribute any information or have legal questions, please call 1-(855) 703-4186 as soon as possible. Our personal injury law firm is a proud, longtime supporter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
- Fatal Crash on Twentynine Palms Highway (SR-62) in Joshua Tree - January 16, 2025
- Keith Cody Bagwell Torrance Motorcycle Crash Crenshaw Boulevard - January 16, 2025
- 4 Killed in Crash Floyd Ave and Shaw Ave in Fresno County - January 16, 2025
