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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Another cold storm brought light rain and some snow to higher elevations in the Southland Wednesday, but while a chance of more precipitation lingered into the afternoon, gusting winds and high surf were expected to continue for a few more days.
National Weather Service forecasters said the bulk of the storm's rain had passed through the area by Wednesday morning, but a chance of some scattered showers remained, including the possibility of a thunderstrom near the coast.
With much of the storm having passed, the NWS canceled winter weather advisories that had been in place for the San Gabriel Mountains and the Golden State (5) and Antelope Valley (14) freeway corridors were canceled by early afternoon.
But replacing the chances of rain and snow were strong winds that are expected to continue through Thursday night. The NWS issued a wind advisory that will be in effect until 1 a.m. Friday for the Santa Clarita Valley, Malibu Coast, Los Angeles County beaches, Palos Verdes Hills, Santa Mountains Recreational Area, Calabasas, western San Fernando Valley, the San Gabriel Mountains, Catalina Island and the 14 Freeway corridor.
Forecasters said northwest winds of 20 to 30 mph were expected, along with isolated gusts of 40 to 50 mph.
In the Antelope Valley, a wind advisory will be in effect until 4 a.m. Thursday, with winds of up to 25 mph expected, and gusts up to 45 mph.
A more serious high wind warning will be in place for the 5 Freeway corridor until 1 a.m. Friday, impacting areas including the Tejon Pass, Gorman and Pyramid Lake. Those areas could see gusts of up to 65 mph, forecasters said.
"Isolated light snow showers may occur through Thursday morning over the highest elevations adjacent to the Interstate-5 corridor," according to the NWS. "While additional snow accumulations are expected to be less than one inch, the snow would combine with the strong winds to create briefly reduced visibility."
The unsettled weather system is also expected to again churn up waves along the coast, prompting forecasters to issue a high surf advisory that will be in effect until 3 p.m. Thursday for Los Angeles County beaches. According to the NWS, waves of 4 to 7 feet are anticipated, with some sets reaching 9 feet, accompanied by dangerous rip currents. The most serious impacts are expected on west-facing beaches such as Hermosa, Manhattan Beach and Palos Verdes.
Thursday is expected to be a mostly clear day, albeit windy. Snow could still fall at elevations over 4,000 feet, while temperatures across the area are expected to be in the mid-50s to about 60. Temperatures could drop below freezing in some areas Thursday night.
There will be another slight chance of light rain in the area Saturday night into Sunday morning, with more cold air expected over the weekend, keeping temperatures in the 50s, according to the NWS.