California storm: SoCal residents face another wet weekend
March was off to a stormy start in California.
A cold storm made its way toward Southern California Friday night, bringing another round of widespread rain, strong winds, cool temperatures and mountain snow.
Light to moderate showers moved into LA County Friday night and the rain intensified Saturday morning.
While flooding won’t be a serious issue, mudslides will be increasingly likely through the weekend due to soil already saturated from recent storms.
Saturday night could see another batch of heavier rain, with intermittent lighter showers. Meteorologists warned snow in the mountains with whiteout conditions were possible with gusty winds up to 80 mph.
By Sunday afternoon, the storm began moving out as the rain taped off.
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Forecasters said the overall storm system was likely to drop between a half-inch and an inch of rain in most areas, possibly up to 2.5 inches in some foothills and mountains -- highest in eastern Los Angeles County and San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.
(National Weather Service)
As much as 16 inches of snow were predicted to fall at mountain elevations above 7,000 feet, with as much as 8 inches possible and as low as 5,500 feet. There is only a slight chance of accumulating snow on the 5 Freeway through the Tejon Pass.
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The National Weather Service issued Blizzard Warnings through Sunday morning for the northern and central Sierra, including Lake Tahoe.
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(Getty Images)
See more details on what to expect from the latest winter below.
Weather Alerts
Winter Weather Advisory
The NWS issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the San Bernardino County Mountains, which includeed Running Springs, Lake Arrowhead, and Big Bear Lake. The advisory was in place from 10 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Sunday. The snow was forecast to bring between 3 and 6 inches of snow, and between 6 and 12 inches at elevations above 7,500 feet.
Snow levels were set to begin around 6,000 feet before falling to 5,000 feet on Sunday.
High Wind Warning
In addition to snowfall, powerful winds were expected in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. A High Wind Warning was issued from 6 p.m. Friday and expired at noon Sunday. This included Apple and Lucerne Valleys, the San Gorgonio Pass, Hesperia, Victorville and the mountain communities such as Wrightwood, Big Bear Lake, Crestline, and Lake Arrowhead.
The NWS predicts southwest winds at 35 to 45 mph that could gust up to 80 mph. The strongest winds were expected on the desert slopes of the mountains.
Those driving through the area should reduce their speeds and watch for blowing debris and fallen trees and branches.
Wind Advisory
A Wind Advisory was in effect in the Antelope Valley for areas including Palmdale, Lancaster and Lake Los Angeles from 4 p.m. Friday to 1 p.m. Sunday. The NWS said due to mountain wave activity, there was a possibility of damaging wind gusts up to 65 mph Saturday.
High Surf Advisory
(National Weather Service)
A High Surf Advisory was issued by the NWS for beaches in Ventura County from 4 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Monday. Coastal flooding could occur on west-facing beaches.
Road Closures
Piuma Rd. to PCH will be closed starting Friday at 7 p.m. Officials plan to reopen the road Monday at 6 a.m.
Sunny skies return
(FOX 11)
The storm was forecast to taper off by Sunday afternoon, making for dry conditions and sunny skies for at least the next few days.