LOS ANGELES—Rain soaked many parts of Southern California Nov. 2, even flooding streets in isolated areas with brief downpours, while also driving down temperatures that could bring snow to mountain areas before the storm system moves out of the area.
“A cool and brisk day is on tap today [Wednesday] as a cold low-pressure system continues to move over the region,” according to the National Weather Service. “Lingering showers with lowering snow levels are expected to mainly continue along the northern slopes of the mountains into Thursday morning. A cold air mass will remain in place across the region for the next several days, then gusty north to northeast winds are expected [to] bring a slight warming trend for the end of the week.”
The colder temperatures and possibility of snow prompted the agency to issue a winter weather advisory for the Los Angeles County Mountains that will be in effect from 10 p.m. Wednesday through 10 a.m. Thursday.
Forecasters said mountain areas could get up to 2 inches of snow, accompanied by winds of 20 to 30 mph, gusting up to 45 mph. Up to an inch of snow could potentially accumulate on the Golden State (5) Freeway in the Grapevine area.
In the Antelope Valley, a wind advisory will be in effect until 10 p.m. Wednesday, with winds of 20 to 30 mph anticipated, gusting up to 50 mph. A freeze watch will be in effect for the same area Thursday night into Friday morning, with temperatures potentially dipping to 25 degrees, according to the weather agency.
The Santa Clarita Valley will also be under a freeze watch Thursday night and Friday morning, with the mercury possibly falling to 28 degrees.
Los Angeles County beaches were under a wind advisory Wednesday that will remain in effect until 4 a.m. Thursday. Forecasters said winds will average 15 to 30 mph at the coast, with some gusts of up to 40 mph possible.
The Wednesday morning rain created headaches for commuters, with isolated downpours flooding some streets and limiting visibility on some freeways.
Three lanes of the westbound Santa Monica Freeway and South Hoover Street in South Los Angeles were closed for about two hours early Wednesday morning due to a crash likely prompted by the rain.
Three southbound lanes and one northbound lane of the 5 Freeway near San Fernando Mission Road in Sylmar were closed around 1:30 a.m. because a big rig hydroplaned and crashed into the center divider.
