Caltrans  today closed Ebbetts Pass on Highway 4 and Sonora Pass on Highway 108  for the winter due to heavy Sierra snow.

Welcome snow season - ready or not - in the California high country. The highway agency said heavy snow from the weekend storm triggered the annual closure of the two mountain passes, which will reopen in spring.

“The weather conditions on the passes and road conditions are the determining factors for the closure,” said Caltrans Maintenance Superintendant Jon Bevan.  “Caltrans closed Ebbetts Pass and Sonora Pass for the safety of motorists and Caltrans crews.”

Caltrans maintains a state road condition hotline at 1-800-427-ROAD (7623).