Be Prepared for Heavy Snow and Blizzard Conditions in Mammoth Lakes Through March 1

News StaffFebruary 26, 2023

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National Weather Service Reno has issued a Winter Storm Warning, Blizzard Warning and Avalanche Watch through Wednesday, March 1, 2023 for Mono County and the Town of Mammoth Lakes.

Weather Forecast

For the Winter Storm Warning and Blizzard Warning periods of heavy snow and strong winds is forecast for the Eastern Sierra along with blizzard conditions from 1:00pm Monday (2/27) to 4:00am Wednesday (3/1). For the Winter Storm Warning, periods of heavy snow expected with snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches, except 10 to 20 inches above 7,000 feet. For the Blizzard Warning, blizzard conditions expected with snow accumulations of 1 to 2 feet, except 8 to 16 inches east of US-395 with 3 to 4 feet possible for areas above 8,000 feet. NWS Reno upgraded the weather risk matrix to extreme. Prolonged disrupted travel impacts are expected. Be where you need to be by sundown today if you are in the Sierra – you might be there for a couple days. (https://www.weather.gov/rev/).

Road Conditions

Below is the current status of all State Highways in District 9 – road conditions subject to change. Please view the Caltrans Quickmap site for updates.

The following State Highways are closed:

Eastern Kern County

State Route 58 from Towerline Road to Exit 172 just east of the town of Mojave
State Route 178 W (Walker Pass) in eastern Kern County from Kelso Valley Road to the junction with State Route 14

Inyo County

State Route 168 E (Westgard Pass) from Death Valley Road just east of the town of Big Pine to the Nevada State Line

Mono County

U.S. Highway 395 from Lee Vining to Bridgeport
State Route 167 near Mono City from the junction with U.S. Highway 395 to the Nevada State Line

The following State Highways are open with no restrictions:

Eastern Kern County

State Route 202
State Route 14

Inyo County

State Route 136
State Route 190
State Route 127

The following State Highways are open with chain control restrictions:

Inyo County

(R1) U.S. Highway 395 from Coso Junction Safety Roadside Rest Area to the junction with State Route 203 (Mammoth Lakes)
(R2) State Route 168 W from 0.3 miles east of Aspendell to Buttermilk Road
(R1) State Route 168 W from Buttermilk Road to Bishop

Mono County

(R2) U.S. Highway 6 from approximately 8 miles south of the town of Benton to the Nevada State Line
(R1) State Route 203 (Mammoth Lakes) from the Mammoth Mountain Inn to the junction with U.S. Highway 395
(R1) U.S. Highway 395 from the junction with State Route 203 (Mammoth Lakes) to the town of Lee Vining.
(R1) State Route 158 S (South June Lake Loop) from the south junction with U.S. Highway 395 to Nevada Street in the town of June Lake
(R2) State Route 120 E (Mono Mills Road) from Benton Crossing Road to Yellow Jacket Road
(R1) State Route 182 (Bridgeport) to the Nevada State Line
(R1) U.S. Highway 395 from Bridgeport to the Nevada State Line
(R1) State Route 108 from the junction with U.S. Highway 395 to 3.8 miles west

If you must travel, check the Caltrans website and Quickmap.dot.ca.gov before you get on the road. You can also call the Road Condition Hotline at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623).

Be Prepared

Pack an emergency kit in your vehicle with the following items: flashlight, blankets, extra clothing, water, snacks, towel, gloves, ice scraper, shovel, broom, sand, and carry a spare key on your person in case you lock yourself out of your vehicle. All vehicles, including those with four-wheel drive or snow tires, should carry chains when traveling in snowy weather. Highway signs and QuickMap (https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/) will indicate when chains are required, and drivers must stop and install chains. Motorists should pull off the roadway completely to install chains. Once chains are installed, obey the speed limit of 25 miles per hour, posted at various locations.

Avalanche Danger

The Mono County Office of Emergency Management is issuing an EXTREME avalanche alert for Mono County. Continuing storms have increased the threat of avalanches. This includes mountain slides, mudslides, as well as building roof slides. Travel in, near, or below avalanche terrain is not recommended. Very dangerous avalanche conditions are expected to continue through Wednesday afternoon (3/1). Use extreme caution. For additional information go to ready.mono.ca.gov, call the Office of Emergency Management at (760) 924-4633 or visit the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center for posted warnings.

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