Second Storm Could Bring Snow to SoCal Mountains

Up to 3 inches of fresh powder is anticipated to hit the mountains starting this Friday

After rain Wednesday, the second of back-to-back storms is expected to dump a "potent punch" of up to 3 feet of powder starting Friday on SoCal's mountains.

Possibly a foot of snow could fall at elevations as low as 5,500 feet Friday night, forecasters said. Areas above 7,000 feet could see as much as 3 feet of snow, according to the National Weather Service.

As of Friday morning, snow levels were above 10,000 feet, according to the National Weather Service.

The wind is also a major aspect of this week's storms.

A high wind watch will be in effect in the Antelope Valley from late Thursday through Friday evening.

The first of two storms hit on Wednesday in parched Southern California.

The storm that arrived Wednesday night dropped 1.07 inches of rain in downtown Los Angeles by 9 a.m., and just under an inch at Los Angeles International Airport, according to the National Weather Service. About a half-inch fell in Van Nuys, while Newhall had more than an inch, Pasadena had an
inch and Mount Wilson had 1.2 inches.

Wednesday's precipitation brought snow to such Northern California ski resorts as Lake Tahoe and Mammoth, while Southern California resorts only saw ice and mud.

In the past few weeks conditions on Mountain High in the Angeles National Forest have been so warm that employees have been unable to create snow, forcing the resort to close for periods at a time.

But the possibility of fresh white stuff blanketing SoCal mountains was a welcome sign. Bear Mountain officials were encouraging folks to drive up.

“Looks like a bit of winter is heading our way for Friday and Saturday,” Bear Mountain officials said on a statement posted on their website. “Plan on driving up Friday so you can enjoy some freshies Saturday morning!”

While Snow Summit is closed Thursday due to wind and weather, it will re-open early Friday in anticipation for some snow.

City News Service contributed to this report.

Contact Us