Road closures and multiple accidents result of unusual
conditions of hail and snow
Gilroy – Closed due to snow is not something Bay Area motorists have had to be too concerned about in the past. But for five hours Saturday morning Hecker Pass Highway was shut down to do the wintry mix and fallen trees blocking the roadway.
California Highway Patrol officials were also forced to close a portion of Highway 17 from San Jose to Santa Cruz for 40 minutes Friday afternoon after about two inches of snow fell. There were about eight minor accidents in the slow moving traffic.
“Anytime you get inclement weather out here in California, there seem to be problems (on the road),” said CHP Officer Chris Armstrong. “I think it’s because people don’t slow down … People seem to think it’s business as usual.”
During storms drivers are encouraged to follow a designated “three second rule,” meaning drivers should allow at least three seconds between them and the vehicle in front and slow down, Armstrong said.
“Eliminate any distractions you sometimes would allow,” he said. “Obviously if there’s inclement weather there’s going to be more distractions.”
Two accidents Friday occurred within 10 minutes of each other shortly after a hail storm dusted the city streets, causing six individuals to be transported to Saint Louise Regional Hospital with minor injuries, police said.
About 2:40pm, a 25-year-old driver making a left-hand turn onto Church Street from 10th Street, collided with a Dodge Intrepid. Minutes later at Church and Fifth streets, three vehicles collided after 42-year-old driver failed to stop her car in time and rear-ended the pickup in front of her.
A mixture of snow and slippery road conditions on U.S. 101 led to a multi-car accident north of the Golden Gate Bridge, involving 28 vehicles and leaving two female passengers dead early Saturday morning.
The snowfall was part of a cold front from the Gulf of Alaska that dotted the Bay Area with precipitation and heavy winds, National Weather Service meteorologists said.
As of Sunday, Gilroy has received 17.92 inches of rainfall since July 1.
“We’re probably right close to where we should be,” said NWS meteorologist Bob Benjamin. “This year we had very little rain in February … so maybe we’re going to catch up this month.”
A second front is expected to move in Monday night to Wednesday with temperatures below normal.
This time of year, temperatures are normally in the low to mid-60s, Benjamin said.
A high surf advisory is in effect along the coast until Tuesday night.
Snow does not appear to be on the horizon this week.
5 Day Forecast
– Today: Rain with a high of 56. Nighttime low of 38, cloudy with a chance of rain.
– Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High of 60. Nighttime low of 41.
– Thursday: Partly cloudy with chance of rain. High 62. Nighttime low of 44 with a 40 percent chance of rain.
– Friday: Cloudy with chance of rain. High 59. Nighttime low of 41, possible showers.
– Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 58. Low 43.
Source: National Weather Service
