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Cold storm hits Southern California, bringing winds and mountain snow

LOS ANGELES — Rain began falling in Southern California early Wednesday morning, leading to slick freeways and resulting in collisions and road closures.

Three lanes of the westbound Santa Monica Freeway and South Hoover Street in downtown Los Angeles were closed for about two hours to clean up a car crash at around 1 a.m.

Three of the southbound lanes and one northbound lane of the Golden State Freeway near San Fernando Mission Road in Sylmar were closed because a big rig hydroplaned and crashed into the center divider around 1:30 a.m.

Rain was reported from the San Fernando Valley to Corona in Riverside County.

A wind advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service for parts of Los Angeles County until 10 p.m. Wednesday.

West winds from 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph are expected in the Antelope Valley, Palmdale and Lancaster.

A wind advisory is also in effect for Los Angeles County beach areas from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday.

West winds from 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph are expected in Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Zuma Beach, LAX, Long Beach, Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica and Torrance.

A freeze watch is in effect in Lancaster, Palmdale and the Santa Clarita Valley from Thursday night until Friday morning.

Sub-freezing temperatures are expected as low as 25 degrees in Palmdale and Lancaster. Temperatures are expected to be as low as 28 degrees in the Santa Clarita Valley.

The cold storm slowly advancing on Southern California is expected to bring cooler temperatures, winds and even snow in the mountains.

National Weather Service forecasters noted that temperatures in much of the area Tuesday morning were 5 to 15 degrees lower than they were on Monday, beginning several days of cooler weather and some precipitation.

“Much cooler temperatures are expected the rest of this week as a cold storm moves into California,” according to the NWS.

A wind advisory was in effect in the Antelope Valley and Los Angeles County mountains until 9 p.m. Tuesday, with forecasters reporting winds of 25 to 35 mph, with isolated gusts of up to 50 mph.

In Orange County, a 30 percent chance of showers was forecast until about noon Wednesday with temperatures in the mid- to high 60s and overnight lows in the low 50s.

The chance of rain in the Riverside and San Bernardino metropolitan areas was 40 percent until noon with highs in the mid-60s and overnight lows in the low 40s.

The possibility of mountain snow will increase Wednesday, with the Grapevine area of the 5 Freeway in northern Los Angeles County possibly affected by Wednesday night.

The NWS issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Riverside and San Bernardino County mountains from 10 p.m. Wednesday through 6 a.m. Thursday, with wet snow expected at 1 to 2 inches above 6,000 feet and 3 to 5 inches on the highest peaks. Snow levels are expected to drop to 5,500 feet Wednesday and to 4,000 feet late Wednesday into Thursday morning.

In the San Bernardino and Riverside mountain areas, highs Wednesday will be in the high 40s with overnight lows in the high 20s.

Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley highs on Wednesday will be in the mid-60s with overnight lows in the high 40s. There will be a chance of afternoon showers.

In the South Bay and Long Beach areas, highs will be in the mid-60s with overnight lows in the low 50s and a chance of showers in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to be 10 to 20 degrees below normal on Wednesday, accompanied by gusty west to northwest winds that could persist through Thursday night, and through Friday morning in some mountain and valley areas.

Daily News Staff Writer Steven Rosenberg contributed to this report.


Source: Orange County Register

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