Winter Storm Arrives In Southern California Bringing Rain, Snow
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — A cold storm out of the Gulf of Alaska brought rain and snow to Southern California Thursday evening.
A winter weather advisory is in effect until 1 a.m. Friday.
Rainfall totals of up to 0.75 inches in the coast and valleys, and as much as 1.50 inches across foothill and mountain areas, were expected.
Affected mountain areas began seeing snow late Thursday night, with accumulations ranging from 2 inches at lower elevations to 6 inches above 5,500 feet.
In Wrightwood, rain turned to snow shortly after 9 p.m. as drivers worried about whether or not they'd be able to get back down the mountain.
Caltrans has already applied a brine solution to mountain freeways to prepare for the expected 2- to 4-inch overnight snowfall and warned drivers to bring tire chains.
Gusty winds over the mountains and high deserts, with gusts of 35 to 55 mph possible, began late Thursday afternoon.
Travel delays were expected on mountain passes, like the Grapevine, as conditions deteriorated and snow accumulated.
Shortly before 9 p.m. California Highway Patrol tweeted that it was escorting people through the Grapevine, but stopped shortly before 11 a.m.
Dry conditions were expected to return Friday, although cloudy conditions could persist through Saturday, with a warm-up expected later in the weekend.
