Update: I-5 Grapevine reopens after closing due to snow

Update 2:20 p.m. Transportation officials have reopened Interstate 5 over the Tejon Pass after closing it for several hours due to snow and icy conditions.

The stretch of freeway known as the "Grapevine" had been closed between Parker Avenue and Grapevine Road.

Slippery roads contributed to several wrecks on Southern California roads as a storm front moved in Saturday.

— AP

Previously: Snow and ice in the mountains prompted officials to shutdown a stretch of the I-5 Freeway through the Grapevine Saturday morning, hampering the drive between Southern and Central California. Drivers should expect hours-long delays.

The California Highway Patrol said an often-used detour - taking State Route 14 North and crossing over State Route 58 – isn’t an option Saturday either. The Eastbound 58 Freeway is also closed near Tehachapi, also due to snow.

“With two of the three most traveled routes north closed, everyone is going to be going the one left remaining way,” said CHP officer Eric Priessman - U.S. 101 through Santa Barbara.

Priessman has been diverting traffic off the 5 Freeway in Castaic.

“We knew the rain was coming, but you never know when or if the freeway is going to shut down so now that we're stuck with that, anybody who had to be in Bakersfield or the Central Valley in a couple hours is going to have those plans drastically changed,” he said. “You need to give yourself a whole lot more time than you were originally planning."

CHP officials aren't sure when the Grapevine will re-open. It could be closed overnight. 

The National Weather Service forecast calls for rain through the afternoon in Los Angeles County with highs in the 50's. A winter weather advisory is in effect for local mountains through Sunday morning.