LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A cold storm out of the Gulf of Alaska will generate snow in the San Gabriel Mountains today while rain is expected in urban areas, forecasters said.
``Significant travel impacts are likely across Interstate 5 near The Grapevine due to accumulating snow and icy road conditions,'' according to an NWS statement. A winter weather advisory, which denotes challenging travel conditions, will be in effect until 10 tonight in the San Gabriel Mountains, but a winter weather advisory scheduled to be in effect in the Antelope Valley until 10 tonight was canceled shortly before 6 a.m.
With the snow level at about 2,000 feet this morning, the NWS said between two and six inches of snow are expected in the San Gabriels and accumulation of up to four inches is ``likely'' across Interstate 5 near The Grapevine.
``Plan on slippery road conditions. Be prepared for reduced visibilities at times,'' urged an NWS statement. In urban areas, including metropolitan L.A., it will be mostly cloudy today with a chance of showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms, according to the NWS. Wednesday should be sunny, but rain will return to L.A. County on Thursday.
The wet weather and slippery roads contributed to at least five overnight crashes, resulting in lane closures on L.A County highways but no injuries. The California Highway Patrol issued five SigAlerts across the county Monday night. Most lane closures were lifted before the morning commute.
There was concern about having to close interstate in The Grapevine area due to snow, but that did not pan out, said a CHP dispatcher. NWS forecasters said there is little chance of mud and debris flows down fire-denuded slopes in L.A. County today, but in Orange County, the wet weather caused a landslide before dawn this morning in the area of Bayside Drive between Jamboree Road and El Paseo Drive. No injuries were reported.
Temperatures, meanwhile, will remain on the chilly side for Southern California, with no L.A. or Orange County community expected to exceed the high 50s today. The NWS forecast showers in L.A. County today and highs of 40 degrees on Mount Wilson; 48 in Palmdale; 49 in Lancaster; 53 in Saugus; 55 in San Gabriel; 56 in Burbank; 57 in Long Beach and Pasadena; and 58 in Downtown L.A., Avalon, Woodland Hills and at LAX. Rain is also in the forecast on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and a slight warmup is expected Sunday.
Showers were also forecast in Orange County today, along with highs of 51 in San Clemente; 53 in Mission Viejo; 56 in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Irvine and Yorba Linda; and 57 in Fullerton and Anaheim. More showers are expected in Orange County Friday and Saturday. A sharp warmup is expected Monday.