Strong weather system to break up tonight

A wet cold front that is producing heavy rains and thunder in the region is expected to start clearing out tonight, paving the way for partly cloudy and eventually clear skies this weekend.

But first, the region will have to get through the ragged weather.

As temperatures around Los Angeles County dip into the low 50s, a snowstorm is expected to hit the mountains, causing snow levels to drop to as low as 3,500 feet. Eight to 14 inches of snow is expected to fall above 5,500 feet.

South-to-southwest winds will blow across mountain areas, gusting to 55 mph. Then the wind may start howling from the northwest at up to 45 mph.

“Anyone planning to drive north on Interstate 5 over the Grapevine is advised to check road conditions,” said David Sweet, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told The Times.

He advised people headed to the mountains to do the same.

The weekend is expected to be cool, breezy and dry with partly cloudy skies on Saturday and sunshine on Sunday.

In the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena region, daytime temperatures are expected to hit 70 under clear skies on Sunday, according to the weather service.

-- Jason Wells, Times Community News, and Esmeralda Bermudez, Los Angeles Times