California braces for ANOTHER winter storm that will bring several inches of snow
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California is bracing for another winter storm that is forecast to bring several inches of snow to normally arid areas, shortly after the Golden State suffered catastrophic flooding.
Forecasters are expecting snow at lower-than-usual elevation levels along with gusty winds and rain that may disrupt travel through Tuesday. They say a few inches could fall in Grapevine in southern California, and the hills around Los Angeles and San Diego are also forecast to receive a coating of white stuff.
The Golden State was hit by a massive storm, in late 2022 and into 2023, that was caused by a series of atmospheric rivers crisscrossing the state.
While weather experts don’t expect the storm to wreak quite the same havoc, they caution that the southern part of the state can expect snowfall of up to half a foot.
“This storm won’t pack massive amounts of rain and snow on the mountains like the events that occurred earlier in the month, but that doesn’t mean it won’t have its own set of dangerous conditions.” AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham warned.
Southern California is bracing for several inches of snowfall before Tuesday. Frazier Park, north of Los Angeles, was pummeled by snow on Monday
The winter storm blanketed the hillsides along the 5 Freeway in Gorman on Monday.
Californian has another break for sunshine as the far south experienced scattered showers and gusty winds Monday.
The photos showed the hills off I-5 in Gorman, California, covered in a blanket of snow as the weather progresses. Meanwhile, a snow-covered car was spotted in Kern County, north of Los Angeles.
Downtown Los Angeles got the most rain with up to three-quarters of an inch.
Experts expect the rain to continue through Tuesday in addition to snow forecast to fall below 3,000 feet in some areas. Higher elevations can expect at least a foot of snow.
Extreme snowfall of up to 12 inches is expected in some areas in Wrightwood, Big Bear Lake and Idyllwild.
“Some of the hills around Los Angeles and San Diego could experience some snow flakes,” said meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
Thunderstorms are also likely as forecasters warn travel could be affected from San Diego to the high desert.
“This is the type of setup that can unleash locally severe thunderstorms, with strong gusty winds, brief heavy downpours, and hail in the Los Angeles, San Diego, and Palm Springs, California areas,” Sosnowski said, according to the news outlet. .
Extreme snowfall expected in Wrightwood, Big Bear Lake and Idyllwild
Snow was seen in Gorman, California on January 30. Gorman sits over Los Angeles.
An SUV was seen driving on I-5 in Gorman as snow continued to fall Monday
Snow was also seen at Frazer Park and officials listed the fire warning as “low.”
Winter weather conditions in the Golden State are expected to continue through Tuesday night.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for several mountain ranges, including Riverside, San Diego and San Bernardino.
The advisory is in effect until Tuesday at 10 a.m. as the NWS expects certain areas to receive up to two inches of snow and wind gusts of up to 35 mph.
Officials also warned travelers to take precautions and keep an extra flashlight in their vehicles along with water and food in an emergency.
Snow at lower elevations in southern California is rare. The last time snow got any closer to coastal areas, including Malibu, was in 2021.
In 2019, Malibu, Calabasas, Pasadena, and Rancho Cucamonga were affected by a small number of gusts.
The last measurable snowfall fell in downtown Los Angeles around 1949, according to the National Weather Service.
Traffic was seen passing on I-5 in Lebec, California on Monday.
Snow covered poolside loungers at the Holiday Inn Express in Lebec on Monday
This past winter storm helped ameliorate California’s ongoing drought by moving the state completely out of the extreme and exceptional drought category.
This past winter storm helped ameliorate California’s ongoing drought by moving the state completely out of the extreme and exceptional drought category.
The new map showing the state’s drought conditions was released last week as current statistics show most of the sunny state is moderately or abnormally dry.
It’s unclear what the latest drought conditions mean for small towns that claimed last year they would run out of water in a matter of months.