Health warnings issued as snow, rain, extreme cold approach L.A.

Health officials issued a winter weather warning for Southern California mountains and valleys as an extremely cold storm is expected to hit Tuesday afternoon, bringing rain and snow.

The L.A. County Public Health Department issued the warning for the San Gabriel, San Fernando, Antelope and Santa Clarita valleys as well as the Mt. Wilson area.

“Children, the elderly and people with disabilities or special medical needs are especially vulnerable during such cold snaps. Extra precaution should be taken to ensure they don’t get too cold when they are outside,” Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, Los Angeles County’s interim health officer, said in a statement. “There are places where people can go to stay warm, such as shelters or other public facilities. We also want to remind people not to use stoves, barbecues or ovens to heat their homes due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.”

The National Weather Service advised parade fans camping out along Colorado Boulevard to wear layers of clothing as temperatures are set to drop to 35 degrees throughout the region, increasing the possibility of snow for other parts of Los Angeles County.

It’s possible Rose Parade day could break the record low of 32 degrees set in 1952.

The latest cold front from Canada is expected to drop up to a foot of new snow on the eastern San Gabriel Mountains.

Two to 4 inches of snow could blanket parts of the Antelope Valley including Acton, Lancaster and Palmdale starting Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday. Snow elevations will “fall rapidly” Tuesday night, possibly dusting communities at 2,000 feet elevation or below, according to the weather service.

Although the snow will peter out by Wednesday afternoon, the chilly temperatures will stick around, bringing overnight lows in the upper 20s and 30s for most of the region.

The Antelope Valley and mountain communities will experience much colder lows as temperatures drop into the single digits and teens.

Icy roadways and gusty north winds could affect driving on Interstate 5 through the Grapevine, Highways 14 and 138 in Los Angeles County and Highway 33 in Ventura County, making for dangerous conditions as blowing snow may limit visibility.

Due to the wintry conditions, the Los Angeles County Public Works ordered several areas of the Angeles National Forest to be closed starting 10 a.m. Tuesday. Access will not be permitted until the roads are inspected, cleared and reopened after the storm passes.

Road closures to be in effect are:

• Angeles Forest Highway between Aliso Canyon Road and Angeles Crest Highway (SR-2).
• Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road between Angeles Forest Highway and SR-2 (Angeles Crest Highway).
• Big Tujunga Canyon Road between Vogel Flats Road and Angeles Forest Highway.

More information about shelter from the cold can be found here.

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