The California Highway Patrol estimated at least 100 drivers or more were stranded Monday on Mount Baldy Road behind multiple vehicles that were stuck near Shinn Road.
Snow plows and tow trucks were called in to assist as officers worked to put up barricades to prevent more drivers from entering the area.
The CHP initially expected the road to remain closed for at least two hours as crews worked to clear the jam. However, the Angeles National Forest said the road was still shut down amid icy conditions Tuesday morning, and Chief Graham Hendrickson of the Mount Baldy Fire Department said as many as 50 abandoned cars had yet to be moved.
"We strongly suggest you stay off the mountain until conditions improve, probably by this afternoon," the agency said in a statement.
The situation in Mount Baldy mirrored other chaotic scenes around the Southland.
The first winter storm of the year for Southern California caused traffic jams, such as in the Cajon Pass.
In the lower elevations, rain caused major emergencies. Two people were pulled from the water in Santa Ana.
Forecasts call for the storm to clear out by late Monday. Mountain areas should see some clouds in the morning and wind gusts, with temperatures near freezing but no additional snow is expected.
Alert! Please note that Mt Baldy road is currently closed. SoCal’s first major snow storm stranded dozens of cars in the snow on Monday night. Many drivers skidding on the icy roads, with some reported stuck for over 5 hrs. Again, due to icy conditions Mt Baldy road is closed. https://t.co/778WTxJU8E
— Angeles_NF (@Angeles_NF) December 29, 2020