For the First Time in 10 Years, Snow Falls in Menifee

Snow fell in parts of Menifee late Tuesday night and in the predawn hours today, giving local residents their first look at the white stuff in the city in 10 years.

Hundreds of residents posted photos and comments on the Menifee 24/7 Facebook page as word spread through social media and news reports of snow flurries in surrounding areas about 11 p.m. Tuesday. By 2 a.m., readers were submitting photos of snow -- primarily on the west side of Menifee -- and some had awakened their children to see it.

Thanks to Laurie Gossett for submitting this photo of her car blanketed with snow near Scott Road and Murrieta Road. As temperatures dipped into the mid-30s overnight, many local residents saw a variety of snowfall -- from light snow mixed with rain to a steady snowfall resulting in an inch or two accumulating on the near-frozen ground. The photo at lower right was taken by Chris Hyden near Scott Road.

Neighboring communities experienced even more snowfall. Up to 4-6 inches of snowfall was reported in parts of Wildomar, Murrieta, Temecula and Lake Elsinore. Interstate 15 was partially closed between Bundy Canyon Road and Clinton Keith Road in the early morning hours today, according to the CHP. Lanes were re-opened later in the morning but traffic accidents were reported around 7:30 a.m. on the I-15 near Clinton Keith Road and near Baxter Road. Drivers are urged to proceed with caution.

The CHP also reported that Ortega Highway is closed west of Grand Avenue beyond Lake Elsinore.

Snow flurries were reported in some neighborhoods east of Interstate 215 in Menifee, but for the most part the snowflakes didn't stick. The last time Menifee experienced snowfall was Nov. 21, 2004.

For more photos and comments regarding snow in Menifee and surrounding areas, visit our Facebook page. Feel free to post your photos there or email them to menifee247info@gmail.com, giving the location.

Kimber Cadenhead shot this photo overnight at a residence near Scott Road and Zeiders Road.