Temperatures to dip; freeze warning issued for parts of L.A. County

Days after a spring storm dumped much-needed rain on Southern California, forecasters warned Los Angeles County residents of potential freezing temperatures Thursday.

The chilly weather was expected to dip into the 20s and temperatures in the 30s could last for several hours, according to the National Weather Service. A freeze warning was issued for the Antelope Valley until 9 a.m. Thursday.

Forecasters say the freeze could damage unprotected crops and exposed pipes.

The unusual weather warning comes two days after a spring storm brought rain and snow to California.

Snow dumped in the parched Sierra Nevada Mountains brought the snow water equivalent to 8%, which is a 3% increase from April 4, according to the weather service.

The rain wasn’t enough to make any significant impact on the statewide drought.

Dry conditions have continued for much of northwest California, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report.

Last month, downtown Los Angeles and 13 other Southern California cities went through their warmest March since record-keeping began in 1877.

Gov. Jerry Brown last week called for a first-ever mandatory water usage cut of 25% in California. The directive came a day after water officials measured the lowest April 1 snowpack recorded in the Sierra Nevada.

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