Storm Closes Grapevine Pass; More Rain Is on the Way : Weather: Mudslides are possible in O.C. Flooding could swamp Laguna Canyon Road, Pacific Coast Highway and freeway interchanges.

Snow, ice and gusting winds forced the closure of Interstate 5 along the Grapevine as a new storm dropped rain and snow from Santa Barbara County to Orange County and areas to the south Tuesday. In Tejon Pass, snow and ice turned Interstate 5 into a slippery slope, forcing CHP officers to escort cars through there.

In Orange County, a steady but light rain caused few problems Tuesday, but officials said another storm will move into the area today. Then there will be more rain on Friday.

The state Department of Transportation warned that more rain could trigger mudslides because hills have been saturated by the recent series of storms.

The California Highway Patrol said minimal flooding was reported on the Santa Ana Freeway at Red Hill Avenue and on the Riverside Freeway on-ramp at Brookhurst Street.

If overnight rain fell as forecast, officials feared flooding today on Laguna Canyon Road, Pacific Coast Highway between Golden West Street and Warner Avenue, and various freeway interchanges and construction areas. He also warned of the possibility of mudslides on Carbon Canyon Road.

“People should allow themselves a little extra time to get to work,” said Steve Saville, a Caltrans spokesman in Orange County. “Look for an alternative route.” He suggested commuters call (800) 427-ROAD for information about county highways.

In a 24-hour period ending at 4 p.m. Tuesday, San Juan Capistrano recorded 0.21 of an inch of rain, totaling 4.99 inches since Jan. 5, said WeatherData meteorologist Rick Dittmann. Santa Ana reported 0.35 of an inch, raising the season total to 10.06 inches since July 1. Normal rainfall for the county for this time is 4.80 inches. Last year’s total at this time was 3.74 inches.

Snow and ice on Interstate 5 at Tejon Pass forced CHP officers to close the highway between Lake Hughes Road, near Castaic, and Lebec, just over the Kern County line, shortly after 12:30 p.m. for plows to clear the road, Officer Esmeralda Leos said.

By 4:15 p.m., CHP officers were escorting traffic across the Grapevine in blocks of 50 cars, she said. It was unclear late Tuesday how long the escorts would last.

Because of the high winds, Leos said, the CHP also issued a traffic advisory for campers and trailers on I-5 from Gorman to California 99.

Tuesday’s storm was expected to spread east and south. Blizzard-like conditions were reported near Gorman, at the 4,000-foot level of Interstate 5.

Several hundred northbound motorists reportedly were turned back at Lake Hughes Road, and southbound drivers were halted at Laval Road.

Meanwhile, more rain fell across the lower elevations of the area, and the National Weather Service forecast for today called for continued precipitation.

Forecasters said higher pressure in the Gulf of Alaska has pushed a series of eastern Pacific storms to California this season.

State water officials, meanwhile, said heavy snowfall in the northern reaches of California--up to 20 feet in places--and the eastern Sierra could signal the eventual end of a six-year drought.

Lee Gottlieb of the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Water District said the snowpack in the State Water Project watershed is 145% of normal. He said the snowpack for the upper Colorado River area is 98% of normal.

The total rainfall for January through 3 p.m. Tuesday was 5.4 inches, and the total for the season was 10.89 inches. The normal season-to-date total is 5.93 inches. Los Angeles had received a seasonal total of 5.55 inches at this time a year ago, the Weather Service said.

The rain caused worries of mud and rock slides for Malibu-area homeowners and Big Bear-bound skiers.

Winds in the mountains were expected to be in the 20- to 35-m.p.h. range, with gusts to 55 m.p.h. through Tuesday night. The Weather Service said winds to 90 m.p.h. were reported 10 miles offshore at oil platforms between Point Arguello and Point Conception, and 40 m.p.h. winds were reported at Vandenberg Air Force Base near Lompoc.

In flood-ravaged Baja California, a deluge last week washed out three sections of Highway 1 that runs the length of the Mexican state, stranding at least 500 U.S. tourists.

Mexican officials said that none of the tourists appeared to be in danger, and that food and medical supplies were readily available.

Even the San Francisco Bay area failed to escape snow flurries Tuesday when offshore winds that reached 86 mph pushed a new storm into Northern California. Up to three inches of new snow was reported along the western slopes of the Sierra.

TIJUANA EVACUATIONS

City will relocate 2,000 from flood-racked canyons. A13