Cold storm brings light rain, snow to Southern California. High surf on the way
LOS ANGELES — Another cold storm moved into Southern California overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, dropping rain on many areas of Los Angeles and Orange counties, and while the precipitation fizzled by mid-morning, forecasters said more showers are anticipated into the afternoon, along with snow in higher elevations.
But the overall impact of the storm appeared to be weaker than originally anticipated.
The National Weather Service had issued a winter weather advisory through 10 a.m. Thursday for the San Gabriel Mountains and the 5 and 14 freeway corridors.
But Wednesday morning, the NWS announced that the advisory would expire at 6 p.m. Wednesday for the San Gabriel Mountains and the 14 Freeway corridor. It will remain in place for the 5 Freeway corridor until 10 p.m. Thursday.
For the 5 Freeway corridor — impacting areas such as the Tejon Pass, Gorman and Pyramid Lake — forecasters said “moderate” snow is anticipated, with accumulations anticipated of about 1 inch at elevations of 4,000 feet, reaching up to 5 inches at mountain elevations topping 5,000 feet. The area will also experience winds of 20 to 35 mph, gusting up to 55 mph in some areas.
“Travel could be very difficult, with potential for delays and closures,” according to the NWS. “Interstate 5 near Tejon Pass could see snow, ice, and gusty winds, which could cause significant travel delays.”
The San Gabriel Mountains could see similar snow and wind conditions through Wednesday evening.
A flood advisory was issued for southern and central Los Angeles County Wednesday morning, with forecasters warning of possible minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas in Long Beach, Malibu, Burbank, downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, Pasadena, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Inglewood, Van Nuys, Santa Monica and Northridge. That advisory, however, was allowed to expire at 8:15 a.m., with forecasters saying the “heavier rainfall has ended in Los Angeles County.”
Additional rain, including a chance of thunderstorms, is possible in the county into Wednesday afternoon, forecasters said. Temperatures, meanwhile, will struggle to get into the 60s in many areas.
The storm was expected to drop only a total of between a quarter-inch and three-quarters of an inch of rain in most areas.
The unsettled weather system is expected to again churn up waves along the coast, prompting forecasters to issue a high surf advisory that will take effect at 3 p.m. Wednesday and continue until 9 p.m. Thursday for Los Angeles County beaches. According to the NWS, waves of 5 to 8 feet are anticipated, with some sets reaching 10 feet, accompanied by dangerous rip currents. The most serious impacts are expected on west-facing beaches such as Hermosa, Manhattan Beach and Palos Verdes.