A winter storm brought high winds, rain and even snow to some areas of Southern California on Wednesday, setting the stage for a cold Thanksgiving – and a tough commute for holiday travelers.
Ice and snow conditions making driving difficult on I-15 at Mountain Pass between Baker and Primm. Snow storm reported by NWS for the next two hours. Avoid travel or if you go use extreme caution through Mountsin Pass. #Caltrans8 pic.twitter.com/jhZgIs0gOI
— Caltrans District 8 (@Caltrans8) November 28, 2019
By around 8 a.m., hillsides and overpasses near the 5 Freeway snaking through the Grapevine were coated with snow. Throughout the day, the California Highway Patrol dispatched units to escort commuters through the icy conditions.
In San Bernardino County, cold winds whipped through the Cajon Pass and a light rain was falling. By the afternoon, rain turned to snow in nearby Wrightwood, and travel was only possible with tire chains.
Wednesday’s cold and wet morning was the front tip of an unseasonably frigid storm sweeping through the Los Angeles region.
The National Weather Service said Wednesday’s high temperature in Anaheim was only 59 degrees, breaking the “cold high” record of 63 degrees in 2016.
By the afternoon, a massive band of rain had mostly passed over the area headed eastward. But the cold wet conditions continued and will pick up again Thursday.
Anaheim only got to 59 today…😳🥶 The city broke it's record cold high temperature, beating out the old record for this date of 63 in 2016. Looking even a little cooler tomorrow! 🤭 #cawx #hiwinter #chilly
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) November 28, 2019
“This system is not moving out of the area — we have another cold front coming up from the south, and the two systems are kind of merging,” said Lisa Phillips, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. “So tomorrow, we’ll have rain and cold everywhere again.”
The NWS said residents could expect 1.5 to 2 inches of rain in the coasts and valleys through Friday. Rain levels in the foothills and mountains could reach 2 to 4 inches.
Meteorologists said the “unstable” storm could produce bouts of thunder, as well as “brief heavy downpours, small hail, and even isolated waterspouts over the ocean.”
Mountain passes in particular will continue to be treacherous throughout the week, where more snow was expected Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
Most mountain areas will get 6 to 12 inches of snow. Some areas in the highest elevations could get as many as 24 inches. The snow level was expected to fall from 5,000 to 7,000 feet in the morning to 3,000 feet Wednesday night, the NWS said.
Phillips said anyone headed out of the area through the Grapevine or the Cajon Pass could encounter difficult driving on Thanksgiving Day — if you haven’t left already, it might be too late.
“If you’re going to be driving over any passes, I would say that if you could leave (Wednesday) that would be advisable,” she said. “You definitely don’t want to be driving over the mountains in this rainfall.”
Heavy #snowstorm falling on the #I-5 freeway near the #Grapevine #CHP running traffic breaks as travelers try to get in and out of #Socal for #Thanksgiving pic.twitter.com/UHFO4bS1xj
— David Crane (@vidcrane) November 27, 2019
Some mountain roads were already closed Wednesday. In the Angeles National Forest, rangers said parts of the Angeles Forest Highway, Big Tujunga Canyon Road and Upper Big Tujunga were shut down at starting at noon. Caltrans said Highway 2 was closed from Grassy Hollow to Islip Saddle (west of Mountain High Ski Resort toward Los Angeles) until further notice.
Storm related closure: SR 2 closes from Grassy Hollow to Islip Saddle (west of Mountain High Ski Resort) at 11:59pm Tuesday 11/26 until further notice. Use I-15 or State Route 14 to SR-138 to SR-2 as detour from Los Angeles Co. Watch https://t.co/753PwdQcOa for updates. pic.twitter.com/dqIEJq7XR0
— Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) November 26, 2019
Chains were required or advised on many mountain roads.
Motorists traveling to Wrightwood, Running Springs and Big Bear will need chains now. R-2 conditions now exist in mountain areas. Bring chains even if you have AWD or 4-WD. Conditions will change due to the storm. https://t.co/ZPbxG0YXnJhttps://t.co/DWmXqRCVg3 #Caltrans8 pic.twitter.com/a43u1pD80K
— Caltrans District 8 (@Caltrans8) November 27, 2019
Anyone traveling throughout the Los Angeles area Thursday morning will face hazards as well — meteorologists warned drivers to watch out for slick roads and freeways, and even isolated flooding.
Flash flood watches were issued in Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties on Wednesday morning. Winter storm warnings were issued for areas including the Angeles, Cleveland and San Bernardino national forests. A wind advisory was issued for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday for the Inland Empire and Orange County, with the Weather Service projecting winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts up to 45 mph.
“Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs and palm fronds could be blown down and a few power outages may result,” the NWS said in its advisory.
Eaton Canyon Natural Area and Nature Center on Altadena Drive in Pasadena was closed Wednesday due to heavy rain and flash flood concerns, Los Angeles County Parks & Recreation announced. The closure could extend into Thursday.
#EatonCanyon Natural Area Park
is closed today due heavy rain and flash flood danger. Possibly closed Thursday as well. Check back for updates. Be safe in #LARain. @ReadyLACounty @CountyofLA pic.twitter.com/L62KLAYYrP— Los Angeles County Parks & Recreation (@lacountyparks) November 27, 2019
Snow is falling in Wrightwood and it looks like chains are being required to even get into town. pic.twitter.com/OA2gCJA5Jr
— Jennifer Maher (@JCMaherPhoto) November 27, 2019
The NWS said travel on Thursday “could be very difficult to impossible” in some areas, warning of road closures, and downed tree branches and power lines.
Mariners, too, should consider staying in port, forecasters said. A small craft advisory for inexperienced mariners with small vessels was issued Wednesday, and could return Thursday.
The conditions Wednesday led to closures, crashes and swift water rescues across the L.A. area on Wednesday.
Disneyland was forced to close an hour early at 11 p.m. Disney California Adventure closed at 10 p.m. Knott’s Berry Farm said it would close at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
In Atwater Village north of Downtown L.A., firefighters needed boats and a helicopter to rescue a man clinging to a tree branch as the swollen L.A. River raged below.
Among weather-related traffic mishaps, in Lake Elsinore, a sedan fell 100 feet down an embankment after the driver lost control on the rain-slickened 15 Freeway on Wednesday afternoon, CHP officials said. The driver escaped injury.
Another driver escaped serious injury Wednesday afternoon when a vehicle crashed through a fence and into a drainage ditch in Fullerton in the area of Malvern Avenue and Bastanchury Road. “As rain falls across the Southland, remember to slow down and drive carefully,” Fullerton Police commented on social media.
Anyone thinking of braving freezing ocean waters at the beach over the next few days was also advised to reconsider — public health officials in L.A. and Orange counties warned beach-goers not to swim near storm drains and creeks and rivers that will likely continue discharging garbage, chemicals and bacteria for several days after the rains.
“Individuals who enter the water in these areas could become ill,” L.A. County officials said in their warning.
