Rain, Wind Hit Palm Springs Area Again
Another cold winter storm hit the Palm Springs area on Wednesday, bringing rain to the lower desert, snow to the mountains and wind to most areas.
The National Weather Service issued a Wind Advisory for the Coachella Valley until 10 p.m. on Wednesday.
“This isn’t anything,” said Rudy Orsoco, from Hesperia. “It’s beautiful.”
Rain started falling in Palm Springs around 3 p.m. with sprinkles reported in Cathedral City and Rancho Mirage, as well.
“I immediately thought of getting some tea,” said Patricia Schaefer, who spoke to News Channel 3’s Philippe Djegal while she was visiting Palm Springs. “I grew up in England.”
Earlier in the day, snow caused several crashes today on the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway between Newhall and Palmdale and forced chain restrictions to be imposed on some back-country roads near Agua Dulce and Acton.
At mid-afternoon, moderate snow was falling on sections of the 14 Freeway at Acton. Light snow was also falling on the Golden State (5) Freeway over the Grapevine, but that major freeway was open with no crashes.
CHP officers in the field said two cars spun out and crashed on the northbound 14 approaching Agua Dulce Road at about 12:45 p.m. Snow was reported as a partial cause.
In the Santa Clarita area, county road workers began enforcing chain requirements on San Francisquito, Bouquet Canyon and Spunky Canyon roads at 1 p.m.
At mid-afternoon, Angeles Forest Highway between La Canada-Flintridge and Palmdale remained open without chain control. No restrictions were in effect on Big Pines Highway near Wrightwood, in eastern L.A. County.