At a Glance
- Winter storm forces closure of State Route 2 east of Newcomb’s Ranch.
- Angeles Crest Highway remains shut after boulder slide near Windy Gap.
- Heavy rain continues through the week with up to 5 inches in the mountains.
- Why it matters: Drivers must plan alternate routes and expect delays.
The latest winter storm has left Southern California scrambling, with State Route 2 and the Angeles Crest Highway shut down after a boulder slide and several days of rain.
Road Closures and Boulder Slide
All lanes of State Route 2 are closed east of Newcomb’s Ranch to State Route 138 in San Bernardino County. Crews cleared large boulders that tumbled onto the road near Windy Gap after the storm peaked on Christmas Eve.
Topanga Canyon Boulevard remains closed between Grandview Drive and Pacific Coast Highway in western Los Angeles County.
- State Route 2: closed from 3.3 miles east of Newcomb’s Ranch (PM 50.93) to Islip Saddle/Route 39 (PM 64.1).
- Angeles Crest Highway: closed in both directions from Windy Gap to the mountain saddle.
- Topanga Canyon Boulevard: closed between Grandview Drive and Pacific Coast Highway.
Caltrans District 7 said:
> Chilao Maintenance Crew cleared a boulder slide on State Route 2 near Windy Gap (post mile 46) on Dec. 26. SR-2 remains closed in both directions from 3.3 miles east of Newcomb’s Ranch (PM 50.93) to Islip Saddle/Route 39 (PM 64.1).
Wind Advisories and Weather Outlook
Wind advisories were in effect Monday for parts of Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The moderate to strong Santa Ana winds add to the risk of downed trees, with gusts up to 60 mph and peaks of 75 mph at high elevations.
| Area | Rainfall (inches) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coast & Valleys | 1-3 | Light showers expected |
| Mountains | 2-5 | Heavy rainfall likely |
The next storm is expected to bring light showers Wednesday night, with more rain into Thursday morning and a tapering off Thursday afternoon. Another round of rain is possible Friday into Saturday, with totals of 1 to 3 inches along the coast and valleys and 2 to 5 inches in the mountains.
Key Takeaways
- State Route 2 remains closed east of Newcomb’s Ranch due to boulder slide.
- Angeles Crest Highway and Topanga Canyon Boulevard are shut, forcing detours.
- Expect continued rain and strong Santa Ana winds through the week.
Stay alert and plan your travel around these closures and weather conditions.
