Cold Storms To Bring Rain, Snow, Gusty Winds To Southern California

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Following a wet end to 2023, more rain and mountain snow are on the way for the first week of the new year in Southern California. A pair of cold winter storms are expected to bring rain, mountain snow and gusty winds to the region this week.

The first storm is expected to arrive Wednesday, while another storm system is predicted for this weekend, according to the National Weather Service. The back-to-back storms prompted surf advisories for Southern California beaches and winter weather advisories for local mountains.

"A cold storm will bring periods of light to moderate rain and mountain snow Wednesday and early Thursday," NWS Los Angeles said Tuesday. "Temperatures will fall each day and will be many degrees below normal. After a brief pause in the stormy weather Friday, another storm will bring some rain and mountain snow along with more cool temperatures to the region over the weekend."

A winter weather advisory will be in effect from 3 a.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. Thursday for the mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, as well as the Santa Barbara interior mountains. From the coast to the desert, daytime high temperatutes are expected to hover in the upper 50s and low 60s all week.

Total snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches are likely, with isolated amounts up to 8 inches possible across higher elevations, according to the National Weather Service. Snow levels could drop to around the 4,000-foot mark, possibly impacting traffic on Interstate 5 through the Tejon Pass.

As for the rain, widespread showers are expected to bring between a quarter inch to three-quarters of an inch of rain through Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms across the region.

Southern California will also see gusty winds. Northwest winds are expected to increase Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday night with gusts between 35 to 50 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

"The gusty winds could bring reduced visibilities in blowing snow, especially Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday night," forecasters said.

A winter weather advisory will also be in effect from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday for the mountains of Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Total snow accumulations of 2 to 6 inches are likely above 5,500 feet, but some snow could fall as low as 4,800 feet, according to the National Weather Service. Gusty south winds shifting west at 20 to 30 mph are expected with gusts up to 45 mph, mainly on the ridges and desert slopes.

"Plan on slippery road conditions and reduced visibility in snow and fog," weather officials warned. "Gusty winds could bring down tree branches."

For San Diego County, snow accumulations above 5,500 feet will be around an inch or less and mostly occur with showers behind the front, according to the National Weather Service. Showers are expected to linger into Wednesday night in the San Diego area, before coming to an end early Thursday morning as the trough pushes off to the east.

Gusty southwest to west winds are also expected in the region, mainly along the east-facing desert slopes of the mountains and desert foothills and below the San Gorgonio Pass where gusts could reach up to 45 to 55 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

A second, even colder storm is expected to arrive on Sunday. Snow levels could fall between 3,500 to 4,000 feet for Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and between 4,000 to 4,500 feet in San Diego County, according to the National Weather Service.

"The more certain aspects of this system are that it will be windy and cold," NWS San Diego said Tuesday.