Cold Storm Brings Snow To Unusual Areas In San Diego County

A cold storm from Canada saturated San Diego County early Wednesday, bringing heavy rain and snow to the region.

The National Weather Service scheduled a winter storm warning for heavy snow until 10 a.m. for valley, mountain and desert areas, saying the snow level would be around 2,000 feet.

A winter storm warning for heavy snow means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Significant amounts of snow can make travel dangerous, the agency said in its warning.

"Several inches of snow will fall in the mountains, and with temperatures well below freezing, roads will be very slick,'' the NWS said. "Two to 4 inches of snow could fall at lower elevations ... including just east of Alpine.''

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Children are seen playing in the snow in Murrieta on Dec. 31, 2014.

Elaine Minsch

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Snow is shown in Mount Laguna on Dec. 31, 2014.

San Diego State University Webcam

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A dog is shown in the snow in Temecula on Dec. 31, 2014.

Karie Staelgraeve

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Snow is shown in Mount Laguna on Dec. 31, 2014.

San Diego State University Webcam

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A snowman is shown after snow covered parts of Murrieta on Dec. 31, 2014.

Melody Quach

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Children are shown sledding in Murrieta where snow covered parts of the city on Dec. 31, 2014.

Maggie Avants

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Firefighters from the Murrieta Fire Department are shown building a snowman on Dec. 31, 2014.

Maggie Avants

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Snow is shown in Escondido on Dec. 31, 2014.

Meagan Frank

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Snow is shown covering Temecula homes on Dec. 31, 2014.

Ryan Page

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Snow covered Santa Ysabel on Dec. 31, 2014.

Jim Madaffer

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A truck is shown covered in snow in Murrieta on Dec. 31, 2014.

Laurie and Dave Jeffrey

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Snow is shown covering a Temecula neighborhood on Dec. 31, 2014.

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A bulldog named Boone is shown in the snow in Julian on Dec. 31, 2014.

Jim Madaffer

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Snow is shown covering Julian on Dec. 31, 2014.

Megan Tran

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Snow is shown covering Hidden Meadows on Dec. 31, 2014.

Jaysen Waller

The California Highway Patrol overnight reported snow was sticking on Sunrise Highway and the sides of Interstate 8 in the area of Sunrise Highway. There was also heavy snow in Descanso and Crestwood Summit, according to the agency.

The snow-covered areas attracted people throughout San Diego County including Eastlake resident Raquel Fernandez.

"We knew it was going to snow today a little bit," said Fernandez who enjoyed the snow near Sunrise Highway. "So we decided to wake up a little earlier and head up there and play in the snow.”

The Weather Service said snow showers were likely to taper off from north to south Wednesday morning, but slick roads could continue into the afternoon.

A frost advisory is in effect for San Diego County's coastal areas and a freeze warning is in effect for inland areas from 10 p.m. Wednesday to 8 a.m. Thursday.

The CHP said chains are required to enter the east and south grades on Palomar Mountain and state Route 79 to Old Highway 80.