A low pressure system expected to bring rain and cold temperatures to Southern California on Wednesday could deliver a white Christmas to the Antelope Valley, along with snow in local mountains.
“With the cold temperatures, snow levels will be down 3,500 to 4,000 feet and snow accumulations are possible in the Antelope Valley,” the National Weather Service said.
On Thanksgiving Day, a wintry storm brought the region snow in amounts forecasters said they had not seen since 2011: Palmdale received 3 to 5 inches of powder, while Lancaster got 4 to 5 inches.
Other communities in the High Desert, including Victorville and Apple Valley, also enjoyed some snow.
For Wednesday and Thursday, the Weather Service is forecasting about 1 to 2 feet of snow in the mountains.
The San Gabriel Mountains could receive up to 3 inches of rain, while precipitation totals in other areas will range from one-half to 1 1/2 inches, NWS said.
The agency warned of possible road closures and holiday travel delays, with winter driving conditions expected on the Grapevine, State Route 33, Highway 14, the Cajon Pass, the Ortega Highway, Interstate 9 in San Diego County and other mountain roadways.
⚠️ Winter Storm Watch EXPANDED⚠️
To include the High Desert on Thu.
Extremely heavy snow is expected starting Christmas night in warned areas (several FT possible).
Plan ahead – MUST carry chains in mountains. Travel in warned areas on Thursday is HIGHLY discouraged. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/7fMqSZlq03
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) December 24, 2019
❄️ A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for the SB Co. Mtns, Riverside Co. Mtns, and San Diego Co. Mtns from 6PM Wed through 6AM Fri ❄️
Check out the latest rain and snow forecast for Wednesday through Friday below! ☔️❄️ #cawx pic.twitter.com/H1LbMUywEn
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) December 24, 2019
Got chains? pic.twitter.com/QGto9jsAMg
— Caltrans District 8 (@Caltrans8) December 24, 2019
Forecasters advised that Tuesday — when Southern California is expected to get a break from wet weather — may be the best day to travel ahead of Christmas.
However, wind chill temperatures could still dip below 32 degrees in the Antelope Valley and Los Angeles County mountains, according to the L.A. County Department of Public Health, which extended a cold weather alert for those areas through Saturday. The alert takes effect for Santa Clarita Valley on Friday.
The storm arriving on Christmas morning will be the coldest storm of the year thus far for the region, meteorologist Tom Fisher told KTLA.
For those who need shelter, the L.A. Homeless Services Authority started operating its winter program 24 hours a day on Dec. 22 and will continue to do so through Jan. 2 at 7 a.m. The agency’s website has a list of locations available across the county.
Winter shelters are operating 24-hours a day this week, through Christmas and New Years.
Details ➡️: https://t.co/VBjUXusKwC
Locations and Pick-Up Spots 🚐: https://t.co/FasXr5Hja9
Hotline 📱: 1-800-548-6047#LARain pic.twitter.com/RJJRoFmla6
— Los Angeles County (@CountyofLA) December 23, 2019