LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A cold storm triggered snow showers in the San Gabriel Mountains today, making travel through the mountains close to impossible in some areas, the National weather Service reported.
A winter weather advisory will be in effect until 2 in the afternoon and a winter storm warning, from 2 this afternoon until 5 Thursday morning.
The NWS forecast that snow showers will result in 1 to 3 inches of accumulation through early this afternoon, followed by heavier snowfall from mid afternoon through Thursday morning, producing 12 to 18 inches above 6,000 feet, 4-12 inches between 5,000 and 6,000 feet and 2-4 inches between 4,000 and 5,000 feet.
After the heavier snow moves in, the snow level will generally be at 4,500 and 5,500 feet through Wednesday morning, then rise to between 5,500 and 6,000 feet Wednesday afternoon through early Thursday morning, according to the NWS.
“The greatest risk of minor snow accumulations across Interstate 5 near the Grapevine will be early Tuesday morning and again early Wednesday morning,” according to an NWS statement. “Travel could be very difficult to impossible across the higher elevations, including portions of Highways 2 and 39.”
The statement added a suggestion: “If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.”
The NWS forecast showers in L.A. County today and highs of 43 on Mount Wilson; 55 in Lancaster; 56 in Palmdale; 58 in Saugus; 60 in Avalon; 61 in Woodland Hills; 62 in Pasadena, San Gabiel and Burbank; 64 in Long Beach and at LAX; and 65 in Downtown L.A. Showers are also forecast Wednesday, followed by cloudy days.
Showers were also forecast in Orange County, along with highs of 41 on Santiago Peak; 51 on |Ortega Highway at 2,600 feet; 56 at Fremont Canyon; 57 at Trabuco Canyon; 59 in Laguna Beach; 60 in San Clemente, Yorba Linda and Mission Viejo; 61 in Newport Beach; and 63 in Fullerton, Anaheim and Irvine. Showers are also forecast Wednesday and Thursday, followed by a sunny Friday and cloudy skies on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
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