If you’ve ever sat in that soul-crushing crawl on the I-15, staring at the rear bumper of a semi-truck while the wind rocks your car like a cradle, you know the Cajon Pass isn't just a road. It’s a mood. Honestly, it’s more like a physical gatekeeper between the high desert and the Los Angeles basin. People treat it like any other stretch of freeway, but the weather conditions cajon pass ca can flip from "scenic mountain drive" to "total chaos" faster than you can find a good radio station.
Most folks check the forecast for San Bernardino or Victorville and figure they’re good to go. Big mistake. The pass creates its own microclimate. Today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, it’s actually looking kinda decent compared to the usual madness. We’re looking at partly sunny skies with a high of 50°F. It’s chilly, especially with the overnight low dipping to 31°F. If you’re heading through tonight, expect it to get mostly cloudy.
Why the wind here is a different beast
The real story in the pass is almost always the wind. Because of the way the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountains pinch together, you get this "Venturi effect." Basically, the air gets squeezed through the gap and accelerates. Even on a day like today where the wind is a mellow 5 mph from the north, you have to be careful.
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When the Santa Anas kick in—which they often do this time of year—those gusts can scream through at 60 or 70 mph. It’s not just "windy." It’s "semi-trucks-laying-on-their-side" windy. If you're driving a high-profile vehicle or towing a trailer, you’ve gotta keep a death grip on that wheel. The northeast winds usually hit hardest near the HITOP intersection.
What to expect for the rest of the week
Looking ahead, it’s staying fairly consistent, but there’s a little moisture creeping in later.
- Sunday: Mostly cloudy, slightly warmer with a high of 53°F.
- Monday & Tuesday: Clearer skies, but the highs stay in the upper 40s.
- The Big Shift: By next Sunday, January 25, we’re looking at light rain during the day and a 20% chance of snow at night.
That snow mention isn't a typo. While the pass is only about 3,776 feet at its summit, that’s just high enough for the Grapevine’s cousin to get a dusting. When it snows in the Cajon Pass, the CHP often starts escorting traffic or, in the worst cases, shuts the whole thing down.
The "Pain in the Pass" reality
Locals call it the "Pain in the Pass" for a reason. It’s not just the weather; it’s how the weather interacts with the 18-wheelers. On a rainy day, the oil on the asphalt from all those trucks turns the road into a skating rink. Add in some Tule fog that can drop visibility to near zero in minutes, and you’ve got a recipe for those massive pileups you see on the evening news.
Actually, the fog is probably the sneakiest threat. You’ll be driving in bright sunshine in Hesperia, crest the summit, and suddenly you’re inside a marshmallow. You can’t see the brake lights ten feet in front of you.
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Survival tips for the pass
Don't be the person who gets stuck because they didn't prepare. First off, keep your gas tank at least half full. If there’s a wreck or a snow closure, you might be sitting there for three hours with the heater on.
Check the Caltrans QuickMap before you leave. It’s the only way to know if a "Wind Advisory" has turned into a "High Wind Warning." If the signs say "High Profile Vehicles Not Advised," they aren't joking. Those empty trailers act like sails, and the wind will win.
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Lastly, watch the temperature. If it's hitting 31°F like it's forecasted for tonight, watch out for black ice in the shadows of the canyon walls tomorrow morning. It looks like a wet patch, but it’ll send you spinning.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
Check the live CHP incident logs specifically for the "Inland Empire" region before you hit the ascent. If you see reports of "Gusty Winds" or "Fog" near the summit, add at least 45 minutes to your expected travel time or consider waiting until the sun burns off the morning mist.