This past week’s stormy weather battered Southern California with ferocious winds that toppled trees and torrential rain that flooded roads and dumped more snow on the mountains.
As the storm system moves north, most of the Southland will remain cool and dry throughout Wednesday, with light winds, according to the National Weather Service. But residents shouldn’t be too quick to pack their umbrellas – another round of rain is expected to arrive on Thursday.
Wednesday
Wednesday’s expected weather will give emergency responders a chance to catch their breath and repair damage caused by recent overnight rain and wind.
Much of the Southland was under a wind advisory for Wednesday morning, with forecasters warning of gusts of up to 60 mph. And after heavy rain soaked the ground during Monday’s storm, trees were at high risk of falling during Tuesday night’s strong winds.
An evacuation warning remains in effect for the Palisades, Sunset and Hurst areas until 9 a.m. Wednesday due to the potential for mud and debris flows. Topanga Canyon Boulevard remains closed between Pacific Coast Highway and Grand View Drive as crews continue to deal with debris flows from this week’s storm activity.
Monday’s storm brought heavy snow to mountains across the Southland, with resorts like Big Bear in San Bernadino getting 2 feet of snow Tuesday evening and more overnight. Far north in the Sierra Nevada, a powerful avalanche left rescuers scrambling to find 10 missing skiers in a backcountry near Lake Tahoe.
Those hoping to get to the Southern California mountains to enjoy the fresh snow are advised to take advantage of Wednesday afternoon’s calm weather to make the trip, said weather service meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld.
(National Weather Service)
Thursday and Friday
A third storm system is scheduled to make landfall in the Los Angeles area on Thursday, bringing about a quarter inch to half an inch of rain to coastal areas and valleys and up to an inch to the mountains.
Several additional inches of snow are expected at elevations above 5,000 feet Thursday, and snow may fall at lower elevations overnight into Friday morning, further hampering travel. Officials warn snow could accumulate on Interstate 5 near Grapevine and Interstate 15 at the top of Cajon Pass, causing possible road closures or delays.
A winter storm warning is in effect until 10pm Thursday for the mountains of San Bernardino County. Forecasters at Big Bear Mountain Resort call for 5 inches of snow on Thursday.
Snowfall is expected to continue in the Sierra Nevada on Thursday, where up to 8 more inches of snow is expected in the Tahoe Basin and a winter storm warning is in effect until 10 p.m.
Avalanche danger is expected to remain high after recent storm plans dumped several meters of snow.
Friday is expected to be dry but cold, with morning frost possible in the valleys as temperatures continue to cool. Saturday is expected to be the best day of the week as the sun returns and temperatures return to the 60s.
But, even then, the wet weather will not end. Forecasters predict an additional round of possible rain on Sunday and next week.
Times staff writer Grace Toohey contributed to this report.
