Snow falling on the Santa Cruz Mountains today has closed state Highway 9 in both directions over the summit, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Highway 9 at Redwood Gulch Road near state Highway 35 in Santa Clara County has been closed, and drivers are asked to take state Highway 17 to avoid the mountain until conditions improve, CHP Officer Tracy Hoover

said.

A Sig-alert for the highway was issued at about 10 a.m. and there is no estimated time of opening, Hoover said.

A snow advisory for the Santa Cruz Mountains above 2,000 feet will be issued at about 4 p.m. today, National Weather Service forecaster Brian Tentinger said.

About two inches of snow was on the ground in the mountains this morning, and snow is expected to continue through the night. The advisory is scheduled to last until about 4 a.m. Tuesday, Tentinger said.

— Bay City News