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Snow heads to Southern California; Rose Parade fans are warned of cold

Rodrigo Velazquez of Baldwin Park sleds down a snow-covered slope as his friend Mariani Velasco watches off Mt. Baldy Road after a storm brought snow to the area Dec. 15.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Snow levels are plummeting in Southern California, the possibility that local communities could see flakes is increasing, and those camping along the 2015 Rose Parade route in Pasadena may encounter near-freezing conditions, forecasters say.

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.

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

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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 segments 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

For breaking news, follow @VeronicaRochaLA

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