Cold storm hits Southern California, mountain snow expected
A cold storm will move through Southern California through Monday, forecasters said, bringing a fast drop in temperatures and light rain but also low snow levels that will affect mountain roads and passes, along with high winds in some areas.
A winter weather advisory began at 10 a.m Sunday for mountains and passes in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and started at noon Sunday in the Los Angeles County mountains, excluding the coast Santa Monica Mountains, the National Weather Service said.
For Riverside and San Bernardino County mountains, snow levels were expected to drop as low as 4,000 feet, with accumulations of 1 to 3 inches, with as much as 8 inches in isolated areas, and some snow possible on desert foothills.
Chain requirements were in place Sunday afternoon for several stretches of San Bernardino Mountain highways, including the 330, 18, 189, and 173 roadways, as well as Highway 2, the Angeles Crest Highway in the San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles County, Caltrans reported.
“Snow, gusty winds, fog, and slick roads will impact mountain roads,” the National Weather Service’s San Diego office warned. “Plan on slippery road conditions. Tree branches could fall as well.”
A wind gust was measured at 62 mph at Whitewater in Riverside County at 3:50 a.m. Sunday.
In Los Angeles County, mountain snow was expected at the 4,500-foot level, then dropping as low as 2,500 feet Sunday evening. Snowfall totals of 2 to 4 inches were expected, but with totals up to 6 inches across eastern San Gabriel Mountains with elevations above 5,000 feet.
The Los Angeles County mountains winter weather advisory is expected to end at noon Monday; the Riverside-San Bernardino County advisory was predicted to end at 10 a.m. Monday.
Monday high and low temperatures for mountain communities were forecast as 37 degrees and 20 degrees for Big Bear City; 48 and 36 for Mount Baldy Village; and 47 and 31 in Idyllwild-Pine Cove.
A wind advisory was in effect into Sunday night for the Antelope Valley, including Lancaster and Palmdale, and until Monday morning for the Riverside and San Bernardino County mountains and ending earlier Monday morning for the San Gorgonio Pass.
Overall, the storm will pay a short visit, with showers ending midday Monday for Los Angeles County, and a bit later for the Inland counties and Orange County.
For the latter areas, gusty northeast winds will follow the storm below some canyons and passes into Tuesday. A high wind watch is set for Monday afternoon through Tuesday evening for Inland mountains and valleys, as well as Santa Ana Mountains and foothills in Orange County.
A small craft advisory was in effect until early Monday for coastal waters from San Mateo Point to the Mexican border and out 30 nautical miles.
Warm and dry weather is forecast in the region for the rest of the week. High and low forecast temperatures for Monday include 73 degrees and 53 degrees for downtown Los Angeles; 70 and 50 for Woodland Hills; 70 and 51 for Long Beach; 72 and 49 for Anaheim; 70 and 52 for Newport Beach; 68 and 46 in Riverside; and 67 and 45 for San Bernardino.