'​We Aren't Joking. Stay Off Mountain Roads': Caltrans

INLAND EMPIRE, CA — Motorists who are not heeding warnings about crazy heavy snow in local mountains are finding themselves stuck in subfreezing conditions.

"We aren't joking about this snowfall. Please stay off mountain roads, if able," Caltrans District 8 tweeted Wednesday afternoon.

The mountain drive between the Coachella Valley and Southwest Riverside County is a no-go, for example. State Routes 74 and 371 were closed near Anza due to snow and ice. "Numerous vehicles" were stuck in snow Wednesday afternoon through that area, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A video posted to Caltrans social media Wednesday afternoon showed state Route 2 in Wrightwood getting plowed — five minutes later, the highway was covered in snow and ice.

Highway 243, just south of Beaumont, was closed in both directions for emergency repairs, and state Route 74 near Hemet was also shuttered due to flooding.

Other Inland Empire mountain road closures include Highways 330, 38, 18 and 189.

A winter storm warning remains in effect through 12 a.m. Thursday in local mountains, according to the National Weather Service. Even though the storm is moving out, roads may be closed for the next several days and chains are required in mountain areas, according to authorities.