A fast-moving storm front swept through the Morongo Basin Monday morning bringing freezing temperatures, snow flurries, rain, high winds, power outages, and snarling traffic. The morning squall came in from the west and saw snow at the higher elevations in Yucca Valley, Pioneertown, and Rim Rock areas. Light snow fell in Joshua Tree and Landers. Gusting winds and rain caused power poles to catch fire in Morongo Valley and caused outages to about 7,000 homes and businesses, primarily in Landers, north Joshua Tree, and the Yucca Mesa area. Copper Mountain College was without power but was already closed for the holiday. Four power poles were blown over and two caught fire in Morongo Valley on the highway at Little Morongo Road. Edison crews closed one lane of the westbound highway for most of the day until the damage a was repaired.
