Rain and Mountain Snow Storms to Last through Friday

LOS ANGELES - The Southland is expected to experience moderate rainfall will spread over Los Angeles County Wednesday morning followed by light showers through Wednesday evening, according to an NWS statement.

A colder storm system will then drop down the coast, bringing rain to California's central coast late Wednesday night while also causing the snow level to drop "significantly," it said.

By Thursday afternoon snow showers may be possible over mountain passes at the 4,000-foot level, and the snow level could then fall to 3,500 feet or lower, "resulting in winter driving conditions through all (San Gabriel) mountain areas," the statement said.

Snow, blowing snow, snow accumulations and slick roadways may create challenging travel conditions in the San Gabriels, including on Interstate 5 near The Grapevine, according to the NWS.

"Rain and snow showers will persist over Ventura and Los Angeles counties through Friday afternoon," the statement said.

Los Angeles and Ventura counties may get between a quarter-inch and three quarters of an inch of rail as a result of the two approaching weather systems and perhaps more in the mountains and foothills, according to the NWS.

The NWS forecast a combination of rain and mostly cloudy skies in L.A. County Tuesday and highs of 50 degrees Fahrenheit on Mount Wilson; 52 in Palmdale and Lancaster; 54 in Saugus; 58 in Pasadena and Burbank; 59 in San Gabriel and Woodland Hills; 60 in Avalon; and 61 in downtown L.A., Long Beach, and at LAX. Amid more precipitation, temperatures will be marginally higher Wednesday, then fall by a few degrees Thursday.

A slight warming trend will get underway under partly cloudy skies Friday, followed by sunny conditions Saturday and Sunday, according to the NWS.

Temperatures will remain roughly the same amid showers Wednesday, fall by a few degrees amid rain on Thursday, the climb back up -- remaining in the low to mid 60s -- amid sunny weather Friday through at least Monday.

Los Angeles County health officials urged people to avoid swimming, surfing and playing in ocean waters around discharging storm drains, creeks and rivers over the coming days.

During rainy weather, bacteria, "debris, trash and other public health hazards from city streets and mountain areas are likely to enter ocean waters though these outlets," according to a Department of Public Health statement.

"Discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers only comprise a small portion of the beach," the statement said. "Therefore, anybody who wants to go to the beach will still be able to enjoy their outing ... (but) stay away from discharge sites."

The health advisory will be in effect until at least 7 a.m. Thursday.

Areas of the beach apart from discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers are exempted from the advisory, which may be extended depending on further rainfall.

City News Service; Photo by Jennifer Cook