Police are asking people to stop playing in the snow on a dangerous highway that connects Santa Cruz to San Jose.
Highway 17, a windy road that accounts for well over 100 accidents every year, is not the place to build a snowman, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The agency issued a warning on its Facebook page Sunday night, shortly before accidents on both sides of the highway temporarily forced some lanes to close, according to the CHP.
🚨TRAFFIC ALERT 🚨 Please avoid the area of SR-17 at El Rancho Rancho Rd. Crashes are on both sides and the roadway is wet, please slow down. pic.twitter.com/V4CXbTQ3QX
— CHP Santa Cruz (@CHPscrz) February 27, 2023
A cold run of weather in California has brought snow to unusual places in the past week, drawing crowds of people searching for a local winter wonderland.
Santa Cruz saw snow on its beaches last week, and some Bay Area residents went snowboarding in Pacifica.
The conditions have closed down Highway 17 several times in recent weeks.
Both sides of the highway are open as of 10:15 p.m. Sunday, but authorities continue to advise caution as ongoing rainstorms create slippery conditions.