A severe winter storm will unleash rain and several feet of snow on the mountains over the weekend in Southern California. Additionally, a rare blizzard warning comes into effect on Friday.
Weather watches, including the first blizzard warning for the region in decades, were issued ahead of the atmospheric river-fed cold storm over the Pacific. La warning de blizzard, que indica nieve o ventisca de nieve, visibilidad reduction yvientos sostenidos de 35 mph ou más, estará vigente para las montañas de los condados de Los Ángeles, Ventura y San Bernardino desde el viernes por la mañana hasta el sábado por The evening.
Most mountainous regions are subject to winter storm warnings. Other areas face flood advisories, wind advisories and high wave advisories.
Here’s what to expect from the late February storm.
Thursday: Snow and scattered rain
Light rain and snow are expected in the mountains on Thursday as the storm moves through the region after hitting an atmospheric river.
Atmospheric rivers are columns of moisture in the sky above the ocean. Once storms draw moisture from rivers into the atmosphere, they are capable of producing long periods of significant precipitation. The weather phenomenon is responsible for some of the wettest winters on record in California.
Chance of light showers Thursday evening.
“The activity is going to be very scattered,” said NBC4 meteorologist Belén De León. “In fact, if you drive in the afternoon, the roads can be dry.”
Friday: blizzard warning and widespread rain in the afternoon
The bulk of the storm will hit Southern California Friday night through Saturday.
A blizzard warning is in effect from 4 a.m. Friday to 4 p.m. Saturday for the mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Snow totals are expected to reach up to 5 feet at elevations above 4,000 feet by Saturday evening.
Areas under blizzard warnings include Mount Wilson, the Grapevine section of Highway 5, Acton, Mount Pinos and Frazier Park. Traveling in the mountains of Southern California is not recommended.
“This is the second time we’ve seen a blizzard warning in over 30 years,” De Leon said. “So we’re going to see excessive snow on the mountains and gusts up to 75 mph, along with reduced visibility.”
The blizzard warning does not include the Santa Monica Mountains.
The blizzard warning was extended Thursday to include the San Bernardino County Mountains. Communities in the warning area of Wrightwood, Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline and Running Springs.
A winter storm warning is in effect through Saturday for most mountain communities in Southern California.
If you are traveling on Friday morning, it will probably rain.
By 4 a.m. showers will develop in Ventura County and parts of Los Angeles County. Rain will spread across the region by midday, including pockets of heavy rain.
“The rain gets heavier from Friday evening to Saturday morning,” De León said.
Saturday: rain and snow in the morning
2 to 5 feet of snow above 5,000 feet is expected by Saturday as the storm continues to batter the area. Some areas can reach 7 feet.
Snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches are possible by Saturday evening at elevations as low as 2,000 feet.
Heavy rain will fall overnight over large parts of Southern California. At 10 a.m. the snow and rain will begin to ease and the showers will persist through Sunday.
Rain and snow estimates
Precipitation estimates range from 2 to 5 inches for most areas and 5 to 7 inches in foothill communities.
Snowfall estimates include 2 to 5 feet, and possibly as much as 7 feet, above 5,000 feet. Elevations between 3,500 and 4,500 feet will see 6 to 18 inches of snow.
Another storm is on the way Tuesday through Wednesday of next week.
This story first appeared on Telemundo 52’s sister station NBCLA. Click here to read this story in English.