Snow near Lake Arrowhead forces road closures as chilly temperatures nip Southland
Snowfall near Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear forced officials to shut down two roadways on Thursday night and urge motorists to drive with chains.
About four miles of Highway 189 stretching from Lake Gregory in Crestline to Strawberry Lodge in Twin Peaks were closed because of the snow, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The intersection of State Route 18 at Highway 189 in Crestline was also closed, according to CalTrans.
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According to the CHP, the roadways were shut down after some motorists became trapped in the snow. Plows were dispatched to clear the powder, the CHP said.
Three or 4 inches of snow were expected by Friday morning at elevations above 4,500 feet, according to the National Weather Service.
Mountain High, the ski resort in Wrightwood, reported that one inch of snow had fallen along the slopes in anticipation of the Black Friday skiers and snowboarders.
At lower elevations in Orange, San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, scattered showers were expected to move inland, with temperatures dropping below freezing in valley and desert areas.
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Near or below freezing temperatures are forecast for the Antelope Valley and stretching north into the Santa Ynez, Ojai and Cuyama valleys, the weather service said.
The frigid evening temperatures, brought on by a cold low-pressure system, will probably continue through Saturday evening, according to the National Weather Service.
By Sunday, temperatures are expected to rise, with Los Angeles seeing highs approaching 70 degrees, while temperatures in Big Bear will climb to about 43 degrees, the weather service said.
For breaking news in California, follow @MattHjourno.
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