Winter storms bring snow and rain to Southern California, subzero temps to Tahoe basin

A cold winter storm brought more rain and snow to Southern California on Monday, prompting warnings of dangerous road conditions, as frigid temperatures gripped the Sierra Nevada.

An area of low pressure just south of Point Conception was spinning some showers into the Southland, said David Sweet, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Oxnard. Parts of Los Angeles County, including downtown L.A. and Pasadena, have recorded up to three-quarters of an inch of rain in the last two days, according to rainfall totals from the National Weather Service as of 10 a.m. Monday. Sepulveda Canyon topped eight-tenths of an inch of rain.

In Ventura County, Camarillo has received 0.93 of an inch of rain.

Northern Los Angeles County mountains recorded up to 4 feet of snow from the last two days, according to the National Weather Service.

Snow was reported on the Grapevine early Monday, prompting the California Highway Patrol to escort traffic through the Tejon Pass. But by 10 a.m., officials said the area was cleared, with snow no longer on that treacherous stretch of the Grapevine.

A winter storm advisory remained in effect for the Antelope Valley through 10 p.m. Monday, warning of snow showers that could affect travel on Highway 138 in and around Palmdale.

“Very slippery and dangerous road conditions are expected,” the advisory said.

The amount of cold air in the system is driving snow levels lower, down to elevations as low as 2,500 feet, Sweet said.

“Anyone going to the locations above 2,500 feet should prepare themselves,” Sweet said.

California

Cold weather arrives in Southern California, bringing snow in the mountains

Cold weather moves into Southern California, bringing snow in the mountains at low elevations and warnings of slippery roads.

Jan. 29, 2023

In the Lake Tahoe basin, officials were warning of dangerously cold temperatures Monday and into Tuesday.

Temperatures in the region dropped below zero at a few locations Sunday night, with much of the region in the teens, said Dawn Johnson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Reno.

The Truckee airport, just north of Lake Tahoe, recorded an air temperature of 11 degrees Sunday night — and an added wind chill could make conditions worse into Tuesday.

“Not only is the air temperature cold, but we’re going to see … wind chills potentially reaching negative 20 to 35,” Johnson said.

People in the area need to watch out for vulnerable populations, pets and livestock, as well as frozen pipes, she said. If people choose to risk being out in the weather, they need to be prepared for dangerous conditions.

“Frostbite can occur at a very short period of time,” Johnson said.