California storm returns: Here's what to expect

LOS ANGELES - A winter-like storm has moved into Southern California.

"The system will bring a short period, three hours or less, of mostly light precipitation with amounts mostly under a tenth of an inch Thursday evening," said the National Weather Service. 

The storm began moving into the region late Thursday, bringing a cold front, low-elevation snow, showers the possibility of thunderstorms.

"Snow will be the big talking point with this system, which will likely bring the lowest snow levels of the season," forecasters said. "Snow levels will start out at 5,000 feet (Thursday) afternoon, but will plummet to 3,000 feet (Thursday) evening and will remain near that level Friday. Snow may fall as low as 2,500 feet under any convective burst."

Overall, rainfall amounts are expected to be relatively low, with most areas receiving less than a half-inch, according to the NWS. Some mountain areas could get about an inch, as could areas where thunderstorms might develop, most notably the Antelope Valley.

Gusty winds will strengthen on Thursday afternoon and continue through Friday night, forecasters said. The strongest gusts are expected near the desert slopes of the mountains and near the coast.

Some light precipitation could develop as early as Thursday afternoon, but much of the rain is expected late Thursday night through Friday afternoon, according to the NWS.

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A winter storm warning will be in effect until 11 p.m. Friday in the San Gabriel Mountains and the Antelope Valley Freeway corridor.

Forecasters predict a possibility of up to 10 inches of snow above 6,000 feet, three to six inches as low as 5,000 feet and three inches at 3,000 feet – all accompanied by winds gusting up to 45 mph.

A less severe winter weather advisory will be in effect until 11 p.m. Friday for the Antelope Valley foothills and the 5 Freeway corridor. Those areas could receive up to 3 inches of snow.

"The stormy weather is expected to start tapering off Friday evening with dry weather expected by sunrise Saturday morning," said the NWS. 

Temperatures on Friday will stay mostly in the 40s to 50s for coastal areas, valleys and desert, and mid-20s to 30s for the mountains.

City News Service contributed to this report.