UPDATE: Snowfall Reported Along Ortega Highway; Crash Forces Closure

2/28 UPDATE: The Ortega Highway remains open to travel, but drivers are urged to take caution along the slick roadway that was dusted with snow Monday night. We have added two "snow" photos from Patch reader Troy Jackson to the attached gallery; the shots were taken Tuesday morning looking westward across the lake. Do you have photos you want to add? Post them here.

ORIGINAL 2/27 POST: Snow has fallen at the El Cariso Fire Station on Ortega Highway, a station dispatcher reported Monday afternoon. And cold conditions could see more of the white stuff in the night ahead.

The wintry weather has already caused havoc on the heavily traveled Ortega. A crash was reported Monday afternoon, shortly after 3 p.m.

CHP has reported the snarl was on the Orange County side of the state route, near Mile Marker 11. Eastbound lanes were shut down but reopened at 5:35 p.m., the CHP reported.

According to the National Weather Service, snow levels will drop to about 2,500 feet in the local mountains tonight.

“A winter weather advisory for snow remains in effect until 10 p.m. this evening,” the NWS reported. "Snow showers will continue through the night and gradually taper off Tuesday morning."

Snow accumulations are forecast to be 1 to 3 inches between the 2,500- and 3,500-foot levels of local mountains, the NWS reported.

Local areas affected include the Ortega Highway between the San Juan and El Cariso fire stations, as well as most of the Trabuco Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest and the upper elevations of the Santa Rosa Plateau, the NWS reported.

Along with intermittent snow, wind, rain and fog are also forecast, making for hazardous driving conditions.