LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A winter storm will make its way into the Southland tonight, with some mountain areas potentially seeing more than a foot of snow and the rest of the region expected to see rainy conditions into Thursday.
A winter storm warning will take effect at 10 p.m. Tuesday and continue until 10 p.m. Thursday for Los Angeles County mountains, excluding the Santa Monica range, with the National Weather Service anticipating snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches and potentially up to 15 inches above 4,500 feet.
The snowy conditions will be joined by southwest winds of 20 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph.
Forecasters warned that conditions will make driving hazardous in the county's northern reaches, with the Golden State (5) and Antelope Valley (14) freeways likely to be affected.
“A cold storm system will bring rain and low elevation snow to the region later today (Tuesday) through Thursday evening, potentially causing significant mountain travel issues including Interstate 5,'' according to the NWS. “There will be a slight chance of thunderstorms, especially Wednesday through Thursday. It will be breezy to windy at times and very cool.''
Snow levels are expected to drop to between 2,500 and 3,500 feet.
Wind will also be an issue in much of the region, with gusty conditions developing Tuesday afternoon.
A wind advisory will be in effect until 9 p.m. for coastal areas, extending into downtown Los Angeles, and in the Antelope Valley. The coastal region is likely to see winds of 15 to 25 mph, gusting to 35 mph, while Antelope Valley winds will average 20 to 30 mph, gusting to 45 mph, according to the NWS.
Much of Los Angeles County likely will not see rain until the early morning hours Wednesday, but when it begins, forecasters said there could be three to six hours of steady rain, followed by “off-and-on-again showers'' into Thursday, along with “a few periods of more organized bands of showers Wednesday afternoon and evening.''
The storm system is expected to move off to the east on Thursday, although a smaller system could bring additional showers and some isolated thunderstorms on Thursday.
Dry weather is expected to return by Friday and continuing through the weekend.
Due to the wet forecast, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority announced that weather-activated shelters will be open from 5 p.m. Tuesday until 7 a.m. Friday at Loma Alta Park in Altadena; Glassell Park Recreation Center; Mary Bethune, Enterprise and Leon Washington parks in South Los Angeles; and Alondra Park in Torrance.
Information about shelters is available by calling 211 or 800-548-6047.
Copyright 2021 City News Service, Inc.
Photo: Getty Images
Copyright 2021 City News Service, Inc.