San Bernardino
National Forest
602 S. Tippecanoe Ave
San Bernardino, CA 92408
909-382-2600
TTY 800-877-8339 |
![United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090116201358im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/global-websites/images/logos/usda-fs-shield.gif)
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Winter Driving Conditions 2008 - 2009 "Know Before you Go"
![Snow along State Highway 18 above Arrowbear, California](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090116201358im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/images/winterdriving.jpg)
Snow can fall in the mountains any time between October and June. The snow brings lots of opportunity for outdoor fun but can be
treacherous for those who are unprepared or inexperienced. During some winters, snow accumulation can be 5-20 feet in some areas.
The leading cause of death during winter storms is transportation accidents. Preparing your vehicle for the winter season and knowing how
to react if stranded or lost on the road are the keys to safe winter driving.
Once you are on the road, listen to the radio for any possible changes in the conditions. Dress warmly, wear layers of loose-fitting, layered, lightweight clothing.
Carry food and water, store a supply of high energy "munchies" and several bottles of water.
CALTRANS Winter Driving Tips "Weathering the Storm" PDF
Before You Go
- Winterize your Vehicle - Check your brakes, windshield wipers, exhaust system and heater/defroster to make sure they are in good working condition.
- Antifreeze - Check your radiator fluid level and add antifreeze /coolant as needed.
- Wipers and windshield washer fluid - Wiper blades should be replaced, if needed. Adding a winter formula windshield wiper
fluid will help deice your windshield.
- Tires - Make sure your tires are properly inflated and that the tread is in good condition.
- Chains - Always carry chains. They should be the correct size for your tires and in proper working order. Chains must be installed
on drive wheels, so you need to know if your vehicle has front or rear wheel drive. Cable-type chains are acceptable, but they may not
provide as much traction as traditional chains.
(CalTrans Snow Chain Requirements - 57 kb PDF)
Be Prepared
Winter weather is never predictable. Expect the worst conditions and be prepared by having an emergency
kit in your car. The following items may be of use should you find yourself stranded during a snowstorm.
- Flashlight - with extra batteries, or a hand crank
charger
- Cell Phone - with extra batteries or a hand crank charger
- Road Map & Forest Map if traveling off the state and county
roads
- GPS Units help pinpoint your exact location in an emergency -
with extra batteries
- Blankets, Extra Clothing, Water and Snacks - It is a good idea to take along water, food, warm blankets and extra clothing. A
lengthy delay will make you glad you have them.
- First aid kit - with pocket knife, brightly colored cloth to use as a flag, plastic bags (for sanitation) and necessary medications
- Spare Key - Many motorists have locked themselves out of their cars when stopping to install chains or play in the snow.
- Clean Dry Towel - to dry your hands after installing snow chains
- Gloves - Helpful to protect hands from the cold when installing chains, or when your outside in cold weather
- Ice Scraper/Deicer - To keep windows clear of snow / ice for improved visibility.
- Broom - a small broom or brush can be used to clear snow off your vehicle
- Shovel - To free your vehicle should you get snowed in.
- Sand/Kitty Litter - Sand or Kitty Litter can help with traction should you get stuck in the snow
- Tow Strap -
a quality tow strap can help if you vehicle is stuck in the snow, and the sand does not work.
If trapped in your car during a blizzard
- Stay in the car -
Do not leave the car to search for assistance unless help is visible within 100 yards. You may become disoriented and lost is blowing and
drifting snow.
- Display a trouble sign - Hang a brightly colored cloth on the radio antenna and raise the hood.
- Occasionally run engine to keep warm - Turn on the car's engine for about 10 minutes each hour. Run the heater when the car is running. Also, turn on the car's dome light when the car
is running.
- Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning - Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, and open a downwind window slightly for ventilation.
- Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
- Do minor exercises to keep up circulation.
- Clap hands and move arms and legs occasionally. Try not to stay in one position for too long. If more than one person is in the car, take turns
sleeping.
- For warmth, huddle together.
- Use newspapers, maps, and even the removable car mats for added insulation.
- Avoid overexertion - Cold weather puts an added strain on the heart. Unaccustomed exercise such as shoveling snow or pushing a car can bring on a heart attack or
make other medical conditions worse. Be aware of symptoms of dehydration.
- Wind Chill - "Wind chill" is a calculation of how cold it feels outside when the effects of temperature and wind speed are combined. A strong wind
combined with a temperature of just below freezing can have the same effect as a still air temperature about 35 degrees colder.
- Winter Storm Watches and Warnings - A winter storm watch indicates that severe winter weather may affect your area. A winter storm warning indicates that severe winter weather
conditions are definitely on the way.
- A blizzard warning means that large amounts of falling or blowing snow and sustained winds of at least 35 miles per hour are expected for
several hours.
- Frostbite and Hypothermia - Frostbite is a severe reaction to cold exposure that can permanently damage its victims. A loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in
fingers, toes, or nose and ear lobes are symptoms of frostbite.
- Hypothermia is a condition brought on when the body temperature drops to less than 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Symptoms of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, slow speech, memory lapses, frequent
stumbling, drowsiness, and exhaustion.
- If frostbite or hypothermia is suspected, begin warming the person slowly and seek immediate medical assistance. Warm the person's trunk
first. Use your own body heat to help. Arms and legs should be warmed last because stimulation of the limbs can drive cold blood toward the
heart and lead to heart failure. Put person in dry clothing and wrap their entire body in a blanket. Never give a frostbite or hypothermia victim something with caffeine in
it (like coffee or tea) or alcohol. Caffeine, a stimulant, can cause the heart to beat faster and hasten the effects the cold has on the body.
Alcohol, a depressant, can slow the heart and also hasten the ill effects of cold body temperatures.
Check the weather and road conditions before you go
Weather -
NOAA Weather for the San Bernardino Mountains
State Highways - California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) Current highway conditions are available through the CalTrans website or by calling CalTrans at 1-800-427-ROAD
San Bernardino County Roads - conditions are
available online at:
San
Bernardino County Road Conditions
Riverside County Roads - conditions are available online at:
Riverside
County Road Conditions
California Highway Patrol -
CHP computer aided dispatch (CAD) of current incidents and
Sig-Alerts
Public Transportation
Looking for an alternative to winter driving while visiting the mountain communities and resorts? The Mountain Area Regional Transit Authority (MARTA) provides local and off the mountain bus service to the Big Bear Valley, Running Springs, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline and San Bernardino. MARTA also provides curb to curb service. MARTA website
Safety While Enjoying Winter Sports
"Know Before You Go" - Call
ahead to the local
Ranger Station.
Winter weather conditions in the mountains can be extreme and change
without notice. An inadequately clothed person can get hypothermia
(low internal body temperature). Hypothermia can be deadly – learn
to recognize the early symptoms. Keep warm and dry.
Stay Away from ice covered lakes and streams. Over the past decade
several forest visitors have fallen through thin ice and drown. Be
extremely careful when walking on ice covered or slippery surfaces
like parking areas and trails and especially steep slopes. One slip
could result in a serious injury.
If you plan to travel in the back country, be
"Avalanche Aware" – Learn the basics at the
Forest Service Avalanche Center.
Be courteous and remember that you are sharing public lands with
other recreational users
Do not recreate on unauthorized areas or private property.
Bring along extra safety items such as extra clothing, blankets,
water, flashlights, maps, and a cell phone. Did your remember spare
batteries?
Park your vehicle in a safe location and do not double or triple
park (blocking in others).
Never park in front of closed gates, they may be needed for
emergency access, and you could be cited or have your vehicle towed
away.
Do not park in restricted or "No Parking" areas. These are posted
for the safety of all travelers. |