Storm expected to add snow, rain to already heavy winds
Southern California on Saturday got a taste of the Arctic blast that is expected to bring heavy winds, bone-cold temperatures, snow and rain to the region through Monday night.
Gusts of up to 70 miles per hour were predicted for the mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties early today, and meteorologists warned motorists to expect blowing snow and icy roads on the 14 Freeway south of the Antelope Valley and Interstate 5 between Los Angeles and the Central Valley.
“People should be very cautious driving around, because there are very dangerous conditions in the mountains,” said National Weather Service specialist Bonnie Bartling.
Motorists were advised to bring a flashlight, food, water and warm clothing if they need to drive through the mountains. Snow levels could fall to as low as 2,500 feet.
Temperatures were expected to fall into the 40s along the coast early this morning and dip into the upper 30s in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys.
Temperatures in the Antelope Valley could dip into the upper 20s.
Mountain areas got the worst of it Saturday, with gusts of nearly 50 mph recorded in the San Gabriel Mountains. A gust of nearly 60 mph was logged just south of Palmdale.
Cooling temperatures were felt throughout the region Saturday. Early Saturday morning, Big Bear Lake hit a low of 28 degrees, Woodland Hills saw a low of 42 degrees and Redondo Beach bottomed out at 49 degrees.
The overcast skies brought only a trace of rain Saturday.
Weather officials advised mountain residents to secure outdoor holiday decorations from the wind, while swimmers and surfers were warned about dangerous rip currents expected near the largest breaking waves.
A second, wetter wave of stormy weather is expected to arrive tonight and continue into Monday, bringing up to an inch of precipitation along the coast and up to three inches in the foothills and mountains, the weather service said.
The second system could dump as much as 18 inches of snow at resort levels.
Residents in areas affected by recent wildfires should monitor conditions for flash floods.
Authorities encouraged residents to clean rain gutters and storm drains and to use sandbags to divert rainwater away from property.
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