Cold Stormy Week In Fountain Valley

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA — Better get that furnace checked, and plan on using an extra blanket! A cold storm system that originated in the eastern Gulf of Alaska will bring snow Monday evening and Tuesday to low elevations in the Southland, including in the Antelope Valley and over Interstate 5 in the San Gabriel Mountains, National Weather Service forecasters said.

The snow, which will also fall in Ventura and Santa Barbara County, will last from Monday evening to Tuesday evening, they said, adding it will fall in the mountains and as low as L.A. County's Antelope Valley and the Cuyama Valley in Central California.

A winter weather advisory denoting challenging travel conditions will be in force in the San Gabriels from 4 p.m. Monday until 10 p.m. Tuesday and in the Antelope Valley for 24 hours starting at 10 p.m. Monday evening.

The snow level will drop down to 3,000 feet Monday evening and perhaps as low as 2,500 feet, said NWS meteorologist Dave Bruno. He said it appears that there's only a 10-20 percent chance of runoffs and debris flows in L.A. County down slopes previously denuded by wildfires, including at the site of last September's La Tuna Fire in the Verdugo Mountains.Between 2 and 6 inches of snow are expected in the San Gabriels, with the highest totals -- up to 8 inches -- expected at higher elevations, according to the NWS.

"Up to 2 inch accumulations are likely across Interstate 5 near The Grapevine," an NWS statement said, adding that a "dusting" is expected in the Antelope Valley. "A Winter Weather Advisory ... means periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow-covered roads and limited visibility, and use caution while driving."

Forecasters said they expect motorists to experience difficult commutes around the Antelope Valley, in part because of the light snow expected on the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway and Pearblossom (138) Highway.

Partly cloudy skies are forecast in Orange County, along with highs of 60 in San Clemente; 62 in Newport Beach; 64 in Laguna Beach; 65 in Mission Viejo; and 66 in Yorba Linda, Fullerton, Anaheim and Irvine.

Southland temperatures will remain roughly at the same levels as Monday for at least another six days, according to an NWS forecast.

Partly cloudy skies were also forecast in L.A. County Monday, along with highs of 50 degrees on Mount Wilson; 59 in Lancaster; 60 in Palmdale and Saugus; 62 in Avalon, San Gabriel and at LAX; 63 in Long Beach; and 64 in Downtown L.A., Pasadena and Woodland Hills. L-A County temperatures will be 4-7 degrees below average Monday and around 10 degrees below normal Tuesday, Bruno said.

4-day Forecast for Fountain Valley

Today, rain starting this evening.

Tuesday February 27

Partly cloudy until evening. High 55, low 45.
Chance of precipitation: 77%. Wind 3 mph from the WNW

Wednesday February 28

Partly cloudy starting in the afternoon. High 63, low 44.
Chance of precipitation: 14%. Wind 4 mph from the SSE

Thursday March 1

Partly cloudy throughout the day. High 62, low 48.
Chance of precipitation: 22%. Wind 3 mph from the S

Friday March 2

Light rain in the morning. High 62, low 46.
Chance of precipitation: 69%. Wind 5 mph from the S
Data provided by darksky.net.

Photo: Credit Ashley Ludwig