Operation Snowflake: Grapevine shut down after snow and ice leads to multiple accidents

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) says that I-5 over the Grapevine is shut down until further notice after heavy snow and ice resulted in multiple crashes.

At 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 6, CHP issued a warning dubbed “Operation Snowflake” which informs drivers that “I-5 IS CLOSED N/B AT PARKER RD IN CASTAIC AND S/B AT BASE OF THE GRAPEVINE FOR UNKNOWN DURATION.”

CHP is reporting multiple crashes involving both semi trucks and passenger vehicles. It isn’t clear at this time whether there are any injuries.

The Grapevine closure comes as Winter Storm Diego is starting its destructive cross country trek. The same storm system may make travel difficult or impossible on several major interstates in the southern plains over the weekend.

Forecasters are predicting as much as six feet of snow in some parts of California, according to KTLA.

CHP says that it is unknown when the Grapevine will reopen.

Update (3:11 p.m.):

As of 3 p.m., all northbound and southbound lanes on I-5 have reopened.