BIG BEAR - (INT) - California's mountain snowpack is being welcomed and is likely to be sustained for many weeks.

At snow-swept Big Bear, locally 2-3+ feet of snow fell over a 7-day period setting a new record of 56 inches for the most January snowfall, topping the old record of 50" back in 1979. Roads are open in the immediate Big Bear area, but some chain requirements remain.

Earlier Monday, Caltrans had closed state highways leading into the San Bernardino Mountains. Emergency repairs were initiated because of rock slides on Route 18 from Route 138 to Crest Forest Drive.

Some schools in the Bear Valley Unified School District were closed for five days because of the heavy snowfall. In the Metro area, dozens of schools were closed Monday throughout Riverside County, but have since reopened.

The Mountain High Ski Resort near Wrightwood is digging out from the biggest snowstorm in the last five years. The resort is in full operation. Over the past week alone, 52 inches has fallen at the resort. Mammoth Mountain in the High Sierra claims to have more snow on the ground than any place in North America. That will go a long way to ending the state's water shortfall.

Story Date: January 27, 2017