Rain, low snow levels likely for tri-city region by Thursday night

A cold low-pressure system moving south should reach the Los Angeles area Thursday evening, bringing with it the chance of rain and cooler temperatures through Friday night, according to the National Weather Service.

The system is expected to bring low-elevation snow to local mountains that could linger through Saturday, Andrew Rorke, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told the L.A. Times.

Snow levels could reach as low as 3,000 feet by Friday morning, which could create hazardous driving conditions, especially around Interstate 5 through the Grapevine, Rorke said.

Gusty winds, snow and the low temperatures could be dangerous for unprepared hikers and campers, the National Weather Service warned.

Temperatures across the region are expected to be in the 50s Friday, about 10 to 15 degrees below normal, Rorke said.

In the tri-city region, there will be a 30% chance of rain by Thursday evening, and a 50% chance of showers on Friday, according to the weather service.

There also is a slight possibility of thunderstorms Friday.

The cloud cover should start breaking up Saturday morning, paving the way for mostly clear conditions starting Sunday, according to the weather service.

-- Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times