FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — Roads across Fresno County quickly turned dangerous as Monday’s powerful winter blast struck Central California.<\/p>\n
“We are seeing quite a few crashes here along the Valley floor, on the freeways,” California Highway Patrol Officer Mike Salas told Action News.<\/p>\n
CHP officers have already responded to multiple accidents. The storm is a trifecta, of sorts, as it brings rain and dumps snow right as holiday travel spikes.<\/p>\n
“We just want to pass on the message to prepare yourself for all of this inclement weather we’re going to have throughout the week,” Salas said.<\/p>\n
He is reminding drivers to check their vehicles before heading out, paying attention to tire tread and pressure, and inspecting windshield wipers and headlights.<\/p>\n
Chains are a must-have for drivers going to China Peak. Action News noticed several vehicles stopped on the side of the road near Shaver Lake.<\/p>\n
Giego Teran and his friends from Clovis were among the motorists attaching new chains.<\/p>\n
“The instructions seem to be straightforward, but for first timers, not really,” Teran said.<\/p>\n
He spent 30 minutes getting the chains on just one tire. He hoped the second would go a little faster.<\/p>\n
“Is it worth it to go all the way up to China Peak?” Action News asked. “100 percent,” he said. “We go almost every weekend.”<\/p>\n
Video from the mountain this morning shows steady snowfall, dropping fresh powder.<\/p>\n
But this President’s Day is a little quieter than usual.<\/p>\n
People, I think (are) definitely… they’re waiting this one out a little bit,” China Peak’s Troy Cohee said. “Those that do come today are going to get a little bit of a treat. It’s going to be a pretty quiet mountain.”<\/p>\n
With more rain and snow now on the way, Officer Salas is reminding drivers to use caution.<\/p>\n
“Make sure you have a light foot. Slow it down,” Salas said. “The last thing you want to do is spin out in the snowfall. If you’ve never driven in snow, it could be treacherous.”<\/p>\n
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