A Bit of a Break Today Will Clear Snow but Strong Winds and Later Heavy Rainfall to Impact Travel Across Northwest California

Snow stacked up on Horse Mountain as seen on an ALERTCalifornia camera — and now wind gusts up to 55 mph are in the forecast for much of the interior. Heavy rain this weekend.

Cold temperatures and strong winds are expected to impact interior portions of Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity, Mendocino and Lake counties over the next several days, creating potentially hazardous driving conditions across higher elevations and exposed roadways but for today, the weather is mostly giving travelers a break.

The National Weather Service in Eureka, however, has issued a Cold Weather Advisory for interior Humboldt, Trinity, Mendocino, northern Lake, and Del Norte counties in effect until 9 a.m. Friday. Wind chills as low as 15 degrees are expected.

There might be some rain today after the weather warms. Then rain returns late this evening across the region. In areas at times, expect heavy rain.

A Wind Advisory will follow this evening, taking effect at 10 p.m. Friday and continuing through 10 a.m. Sunday for the same interior areas. Forecasters say southeast winds of 20 to 30 mph are expected, with gusts up to 55 mph possible. Gusts will be strongest along windward ridges and exposed headlands.

The Weather Service warns that winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. Blowing debris, sudden crosswinds and falling branches are possible on rural and forested routes. Drivers traveling along ridge tops or through gaps and open stretches should be prepared for sudden gusts.

Below is a detailed breakdown of current highway and county road conditions across the region.

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: Open but snowy

    Sun warming the snow near Shasta River Bridge on I-5[Image from the Caltrans Traffic Cam]

  • Hwy 1: Open
  • Hwy 3: Open
  • Hwy 20: Open
  • Hwy 36: Open
  • Hwy 96: Open
  • Hwy 101: Open

    Cold but clear on Ridgewood Summit south of Willits. [Image from the Caltrans Traffic Cam]

  • HWY 162 (Covelo Road): Open
  • Hwy 169 (Klamath): Open
  • Hwy 199: Open but snowy

    Snow near the Collier Tunnel [Image from the Caltrans Traffic Cam]

  • Hwy 211 (Ferndale): Open
  • Hwy 254 (Avenue of the Giants): Open except between Holmes and Barkdull Road where Caltrans is reporting tree work.
  • Hwy 255: Open
  • Hwy 271: Open
  • Hwy 299: Open but snowy

    Snow near Berry Summit [Image from the Caltrans Traffic Cam]

Humboldt County roads as of 5 p.m. yesterday:

• Alderpoint Road from Garberville, carry chains
• Pratt Mountain 2-3 inches of new snow, carry chains
• Shelter Cover Road, carry chains
• Kneeland Road 3 inches of new snow, carry chains
• Fickle Hill Road 4 inches of new snow, carry chains
• Monument Road, carry chains
• Bear River Ridge Road, carry chains
• Kneeland Road (Bridgeville area), chains required
• Showers Pass, chains required
• Redwood House Road, chains required
• Bald Hills Road, 1.5 feet of new snow, carry chains
• Titlow Hill Road, 13 inches of new snow, carry chains
• Johnson Road, carry chains
• Snow Camp Road open to Guy Kerr Ranch Road, chains required
• Guy Kerr Ranch Road, chains required
• High Prairie Road, chains required

The following Humboldt County roads are closed:

• • Bair Road-due to snow
  • Brannon Mountain Road-due to power lines down at mile marker 3.5
  • Stover Road-due to power lines down 1 mile from Bair Road

Trinity County Roads: No information at this time.

Mendocino County Roads: No information at this time.