Rain, Snow Due as Storm Moves In
A cold storm system from the Gulf of Alaska is expected to move into Southern California this afternoon, dropping as much as three-quarters of an inch of rain in some parts of the Los Angeles Basin and as much as a foot of snow in the mountains.
The National Weather Service issued a special Winter Storm Watch warning for the Tehachapi Mountains north of Los Angeles, advising that Interstate 5 could be blocked by heavy snow in the Gorman area late tonight and early Friday.
Rain showers and snow flurries are expected to continue through much of the day on Friday, with skies clearing Friday night.
Forecasters said overnight temperatures should be on the cool side throughout the Los Angeles Basin after the storm system passes through, with readings at or below freezing in some of the colder areas before dawn on Saturday.
“It’s a cold one,” said Rick Dittmann, a meteorologist with WeatherData Inc., which provides forecasts for The Times. “There’s a lot of cool air on the backside of this one, and it has the potential to drop snow at a pretty low elevation.”
The National Weather Service said the snow level could dip as low as 3,000 feet by Friday, with eight to 12 inches of snow expected in the Tehachapis.
Travelers were warned to expect delays and closures on mountain roads and were advised to carry food, water and blankets in case they are snowed in.
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