Third In Parade Of Cold Storms Slams SoCal With Rain And Snow: Storm Timeline

SAN DIEGO, CA — A third storm has begun sweeping across Southern California, bringing another round of strong winds, widespread rain and mountain snow after two back-to-back systems.

Days of steady rain and snowfall have soaked the region, causing flooding, knocking down trees and power lines, and creating dangerous driving conditions.

• Also see: SoCal Walloped By Torrential Storm: See Local Rain and Snowfall Totals

Periods of rain are expected Thursday, with showers persisting in the mountains through early Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Friday afternoon will bring the return of sunny skies, which is expected to last through the weekend, according to the weather service.

"The final round of rain, snow and gusty winds will be today, with the cold front and band of precipitation moving from northwest to southeast late this morning through early evening," NWS San Diego forecasters wrote Thursday morning.

As of late Thursday morning, the next cold front and band of showers was moving southeast through Ventura County and into Los Angeles County, where it's expected to drop a quarter- to half-inch of rain in the coastal and valley areas and up to an inch in the mountains.

According to the National Weather Service, several more inches of snow could fall in the mountains, particularly above 5,000 feet. Snow levels are expected to fall to 4,000 feet Thursday morning, and again Thursday evening, bringing additional snowfall to the Grapevine.

A band of showers, which could produce thunderstorms, is expected to reach Orange County midday, move southeast across the region, and exit San Diego County by 10 p.m. Scattered showers could linger into Friday morning.

Rainfall totals are expected to reach a quarter- to half-inch in the coastal and valley areas, 1 to 1.5 inches in the mountains, and up to 0.15 inch in the deserts.

In the San Bernardino and Riverside mountains, snow will start accumulating at elevations as low as 4,500 feet, with totals ranging from 1 to 8 inches up to 7,000 feet, according to the National Weather Service. The highest peaks could see 8 to 12 inches.

In the San Diego County mountains, snow amounts are expected to range from a light dusting at 4,500 feet to as much as 3 inches at the highest elevations.

Weather officials warned that strong winds combined with snow will create hazardous driving conditions and unnecessary travel should be avoided.

"Travel on mountain roads may be affected by accumulating and blowing snow today and tonight and anyone traveling across the mountains should be prepared for treacherous wintry driving conditions, delays, or road closures," NWS Los Angeles forecasters wrote Thursday.

It will be cold Thursday by Southern California standards, and all areas not in the lower desert will struggle to reach 60 degrees. It will be warmer and drier Friday through Monday, with high temperatures climbing to about five degrees above average, weather officials said.

Here's a look at forecasted high temperatures across Southern California: