7:40 p.m.:

The rockslide on Highway 168 near the top of the four-lane section was cleared around 7 p.m. today, said Axel Reyes, a California Highway Patrol public information officer.

Reyes said rockslides in the area are common at this time of year, and motorists should be prepared for additional slides to occur.

6:20 p.m.:

Fresno State reports that Barstow Avenue has reopened. The road was closed so Pacific Gas & Electric Co. crews could work on two damaged power poles.

1:58 p.m.: CHP patrol cars are escorting groups of about 300 vehicles on Interstate 5 over the Grapevine in both directions to see if the freeway is safe for travel.

“If it starts snowing again or if it’s icy, they will shut it down,” said Marc McWilliams, a California Highway Patrol officer.

Interstate 5 over the Grapevine, the Valley’s primary route to Southern California, was closed at about 10 a.m. today because of snow and ice, the California Department of Transportation reported.

Drivers can call (800) 427-ROAD for the latest road conditions.

1:58 p.m.: Flights out of the Fresno-Yosemite International airport to Las Vegas and San Francisco are delayed today because of stormy weather.

“Getting out of Fresno is not a problem,” said Vikkie Calderon, FYI spokeswoman. “The problem is some destination points.”

One flight to San Francisco at 5:30 a.m. today was canceled, she said.

1:38 p.m.: An all-time low barometric pressure reading for Fresno was reached earlier today, an outcome of the high-intensity storm moving through the region.

The reading of 28.96 inches was recorded at 1 p.m. today, breaking the previous record of 29.10 inches set Jan. 27, 1916, said Jim Dudley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Hanford. The new mark was for all dates.

“The lower the pressure, the more intense the storm is,” Dudley said.

The new record could be broken during this storm, he said.

1:15 p.m.: About 4,000 PG&E customers throughout Fresno County were without power at 1 p.m. today because of downed poles and damaged transformers.

“These outages are all a result of the storms,” said Jeff Smith, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. spokesman.

12:40 p.m.: The Sierra's snow level is expected to fall to 2,500 feet as temperatures dip late tonight, the National Weather Service in Hanford reported.

A winter storm warning for snowfall in the foothills is in effect until 9 a.m. Friday, said Jim Dudley, a weather service meteorologist. About 2 to 4 inches of snow could fall at 2,500 feet overnight and up to 7 inches could accumulate at 4,000 feet -- the level at which snow is currently coming down, Dudley said.

12:05 p.m.: A group of Humane Society workers from Southern Oregon are waiting out the storm in Fresno with 84 rescued dogs. Rambelaine Kennels and Animal Rescue of Fresno have provided temporary housing for the animals.

The dogs, who faced euthanasia, are being taken to new homes in Oregon.

“It is simply too risky for staff and animals to travel in heavy snow conditions," Hillary Hulen, director of shelter operations for the Southern Oregon Humane Society, told Madera television station KTVL. "If we were to become stranded there is no way we could adequately care for 80-plus small dogs traveling in kennels.

"Many are Chihuahuas and it is simply too cold for them. We are prepared for winter travel but these are treacherous conditions.”

Noon: Barstow Avenue near California State University, Fresno remained closed today -- the first day of the new semester -- as Pacific Gas & Electric Co. crews work on two damaged power poles.