CHP escorts traffic on 5 Freeway through the Grapevine due to snowfall

LEBEC, Calif. (KABC) -- The California Highway Patrol escorted traffic on the 5 Freeway through the Grapevine Monday morning due to snowfall brought on by a cold winter storm.

The freeway was not shut down, but officials urged drivers to stay behind escort vehicles and travel slowly.

Snow flurries started falling overnight across the Grapevine area, which was expected to get up to 2 to 3 inches of snow. Highways 14, near Acton, and 33, north of Ojai, could also see snowfall through the afternoon.

Some drivers in the Antelope Valley told ABC7 they had already been experiencing some patches of ice on the freeway.

"Been slipping or sliding around a little bit, but that's why important to get good tires too," said Daniel Segovia, who plans to stay off the roads. "I'm going to be safe rather than sorry, man. You just never know what could happen with this weather."

The frigid temperatures have even caused some people to cancel weekend plans.

"The weather has been crazy, we had planned a birthday party for my son yesterday," said one parent. "We were expecting good weather and we had to basically cancel it."

With snow expected on the mountain all day, officials urged drivers to not travel without chains and an emergency kit.

Meanwhile in the Inland Empire, places like Crestline, Lake Arrowhead and Running springs got a heavy dusting of white powder.

A winter storm brought rain to large swaths of Southern California and dumped a fresh layer of snow in areas like Crestline, Lake Arrowhead and the Running Springs area.

The storm dropped snow in elevations as low as 3,000 feet in some areas. Some spots in the San Bernardino mountains already saw 4 to 6 inches of snow by Monday morning.

The conditions prompted the closure of several roads and activated a tire chain requirement for others. Several cars were seen abandoned in the snow along Highway 18.

Drivers were urged to monitor road conditions, especially in mountain communities.

The Rim of the World School District said all its schools would be closed Monday due to the weather.

Meanwhile, the Mt. Baldy Fire Department tweeted a warning to anyone hoping to travel there.

With snow expected on the mountain all day, officials urged drivers to not travel without chains and an emergency kit. They also emphasized that there is no cell service or gas stations in Mt. Baldy.