The Grapevine Reopens After Snowy, Icy Night

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — The Grapevine reopened overnight, but the bitter cold and winds continued to keep Southern California shivering Monday.

Winter is here – chilly temperatures are expected to persist in Southern California through at least Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

Overnight, the 5 Freeway through Gorman was closed due to snow and ice, which caused several crashes and spin-outs throughout the night

Several drivers stopped at local gas stations and spent an impromptu night at motels. Some just camped in their vehicles.

"I wanna keep going but I'm in this old Volkswagen so I don't know if it's a good idea," one driver said.

The freeway – the artery between Southern California and Northern California – reopened at 2:40 a.m., with California Highway Patrol squad cars escorting vehicles through the mountain passes.

The temperature in Gorman, along the Grapevine, was about 20 degrees and was compounded by winds of 25 mph.

A freeze warning was in effect in the Santa Clarita Valley until 8 a.m., along with a frost warning in the San Fernando Valley and Santa Monica Mountains.