I-15 at Nevada-California stateline back open after snow-related crashes prompted closure

YERMO, Calif. (KABC) -- The 15 Freeway at the Nevada-California stateline is back open in both directions Monday after multiple crashes related to snow and icy conditions prompted an hourslong closure, Caltrans said.

The four-hour closure was lifted shortly after 10 a.m.

The closure happened at Sloan Road and Rose Parkway. Drivers were urged to exit Primm in Nevada. Caltrans District 8 had warned commuters to "find a warm place to pull off and hold on place."

The traffic mess was a major headache for Californians trying to return home early after spending the long weekend in Las Vegas, which saw inches of snow!

Las Vegas snow: Up to 2 inches of snow falls on strip for 1st time in decade

Wild weather in Nevada! Parts of Las Vegas, including the strip, are waking up to as much as 2 inches of snow Monday morning.

Newport Beach resident Kenzie Ross said that after escaping bumper-to-bumper traffic at the Las Vegas strip, she was able to get around the closure and find beautiful ice-covered roads during her trip back to California. She said it took her five hours to get from Las Vegas to Yermo in San Bernardino County.

Other motorists weren't so lucky.

"We saw four vehicles. One we saw slide a little bit, and the other just slid off the road. One guy almost hit a tree, so it was really scary because they're standing outside of their vehicles and people are stopping to help to see if they're OK," one driver explained.

Meantime, the 5 Freeway over the Grapevine began to reopen on Monday after icy roads caused several traffic collisions in the Lebec area.

Interstate 5 through the Grapevine was closed Sunday night for hours due to heavy snow and several traffic collisions.