Wintry Storm Rolls Through Coachella Valley
Southern California is expected to get a winter- style soaking today, with snow dropping to elevations of about 3,500 feet by Monday.
The storm out of the Pacific Northwest will arrive in the form of at least two low-pressure frontal systems that will sweep across the region, bringing wind, rain and snow.
The first is due to arrive around mid-morning on Saturday with winds out of the south and southeast, gusting up to about 40 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
The NWS issued a wind advisory for 6 a.m. until 3 p.m. for most of the metro area.
The most intense rain — forecasters predict a slight chance of thunderstorms — is expected in the middle of the day, tapering off in the afternoon, according to the NWS. Metro-area highs will be mostly in the lower 60s.
Snow will fall at elevations of about 6,000 feet or more today, lowering to about 5,500 feet this evening. The NWS issued a winter storm watch for the Los Angeles County mountains through 10 p.m. Sunday.
In the burn areas, a flash flood watch is in effect from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. Overnight lows in some valley areas will dip into the 40s for several hours.
The second, colder frontal system should arrive tonight, and snow levels will drop as low as 3,500 feet by Sunday morning, according to the NWS. That is low enough to affect the two major freeway passes in and out of the Los Angeles Basin. The Cajon and Tejon passes top out around 4,000 feet.
About an inch or so of rain is expected in coastal areas through Monday, according to the NWS. Inland and foothill areas could get 2-3 inches, and some mountain areas as much as 5 inches.
The Coachella Valley will only see about a quater-inch of rain, but the winds will be gusty.
Travelers driving through the mountains are urged to carry snow chains. Up to 18 inches of snow is expected at elevations of about 7,000 feet or more. Winds out of the south and southwest will be gusting up to about 60 mph at times.
The region should start drying out as early as Sunday night, as the wind veers to the west. A 40 percent chance of showers is predicted for Monday.
Despite getting two early season rains, Los Angeles rainfall is slightly behind the norm — 1.38 inches — for this time of year, with about 1.1 inches since July 1.
