KTLA

Grapevine reopens; L.A. County closes some parks ahead of next storm

11:32 p.m. – “Come get some storm skiing and riding,” Mt. Baldy Resort tweeted late Sunday night, saying the resort plans to get Thunder Mountain open Monday with snow showers, temperatures in the 20’s and winds gusting up to 40 miles per hour out of the west.

11:01 p.m. – Crews with the Los Angeles Department of Water and power continue to make, restoring power to some 35,000 customers since Sunday morning, bringing the total number of customers with power restored to 127,000. “There are currently 38,500 customers who remain without power,” LADWP tweeted.


6:34 p.m. – State Route 39 remains closed to due to snow, starting near mile post 28.5, north of East Fork Road, in the Angeles National Forest,” Caltrans District 7 tweeted in an update.

6:31 p.m. – The Los Angeles County Department of Water and Power reports that crews are still out working in tough and often hazardous conditions to restore power to residents. “The storm has left many fallen trees that must be removed before repairs can be made,” the department tweeted.

4:06 p.m. – Angeles Crest Highway, “from 2.2 miles north of I-210 to Islip Saddle” in the Angeles National Forest remains closed due to snow, Caltrans District 7 reports. Route 39 is also closed at East Fork Road for an unknown duration, with officials urging drivers to avoid the area.

3:49 p.m. – The National Weather Service has released an updated forecast for Sunday night into Wednesday, predicting up to another inch of rain in the coasts and valleys and up to two inches in the mountains and foothills.

NWS also estimates that four to 18 inches of snow could fall as low as 3,000 feet, with the highest accumulations coming over the eastern San Gabriel Mountains, and at least three inches of snow is expected to fall at the Tejon Pass between Sunday and Wednesday.

2:43 p.m. – The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has extended its ocean water quality rain advisory, warning that due to the recent storms, “bacteria, chemicals, debris, trash and other public health hazards from city streets and mountain areas are likely to contaminate ocean waters at and around discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers” and that individuals should not enter the water in these areas until at least Wednesday, March 1 at 10:30 a.m.

1:24 p.m. – The Grapevine section of Interstate 5 is now open with CHP units conducting escorts, but they advise that “the roadway is still wet and slick, so stay in line and follow behind traffic at a safe distance.”

1:16 p.m. – The County of Los Angeles Parks & Recreation Department has announced that four parks will be closed on Sunday due to storm related impacts:

10:21 a.m. – U.S. Highway 395 has reopened from SR-203 in Mammoth Lakes to the town of Lee Vining without CHP escorts, but chain controls are in effect.

9:44 a.m. – The Grapevine will remain closed due to significant ice build up on the roadway, CHP announced. “We are hoping to reopen the Grapevine sometime this afternoon,” CHP said. “Please be patient.”

8:50 a.m. – SR-39 is closed starting at East Fork Road until further notice due to snow, ice & a rock slide in one spot. (Caltrans)

8:45 a.m. – Update from LADWP:

“2/26 Update: Crews have made major progress yesterday & overnight restoring power to ~40,000 customers since 8 a.m. Saturday. Overall, 91,000 customers have had power restored since the start of the storm & ~53,000 remain affected as of 6 a.m.“

(LADWP)

8:30 a.m. – Top snowfall totals:

8:00 a.m. – Top rainfall amounts from the winter storm:

See more rainfall totals

7:45 a.m. Sunday – SR-33 remains closed from north of Matilija Hot Springs Rd. to Lockwood Valley Rd. north of Ojai due to rockslides and erosion.

A rockslide on SR-33 near Ojai, California. Feb. 26, 2023. (Caltrans)

7:40 a.m. Sunday – As one storm moves out, there is even more precipitation in the forecast for Southern California. Here is Kacey Montoya’s forecast:

7:00 a.m. Sunday – Crews continue to deal with the removal of trees that toppled during the storm in the San Fernando Valley. Sky5 was over Kester Avenue in Van Nuys where a tree that fell on Saturday continues to block travel.

A tree blocking travel on Kester Avenue in Van Nuys. Feb. 26, 2023. (KTLA)

6:45 a.m. Sunday: Multiple highways remain closed due to snow & ice.

Sunday morning road closures. Feb. 26, 2023 (Caltrans)

6:35 a.m. Sunday – It was a surreal scene when hail covered Hollywood Beach in Oxnard Saturday. (photos courtesy Eddie Dalmau)

Snow at Hollywood Beach in Oxnard, California. Feb. 25, 2023. (Eddie Dalmau)

6:30 a.m. Sunday – The 5 Freeway through the Grapevine remains closed. CHP hopes to have it reopened by 11 a.m.

6:25 a.m. Sunday – Winter weather advisories have expired for the Santa Clarita Valley, Santa Monica mountains, foothills of the San Fernando Valley and the San Gabriel Valley.

9:40 p.m. – A frost advisory is issued until early Sunday morning across the Central Coast, San Bernardino south coast, Ventura valleys, Santa Clarita Valley, and interior portions of the Ventura coast. Temperatures are expected to fall between 32-35 degrees, said NWS.

A winter weather advisory is active for parts of the San Fernando, San Gabriel, Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys. The advisory is extended to the Santa Monica mountains in elevations above 1,500 feet through 11 p.m. Up to two inches of snowfall is likely.

In the foothills of the San Gabriel Valley, the advisory is extended until 4 a.m.

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7:55 p.m. – The flood watch warning has ended for the L.A., Ventura and San Bernardino counties, but brief heavy showers and small hail remain possible through Saturday night, said NWS.

7 p.m. – Stormy weather in L.A. and across the nation continues impacting flights on Saturday.

“So far today, we’ve had about 40 flights canceled,” said LAX officials. “Please check with your airline for flight status before coming to the airport.”

6 p.m. – The 5 Freeway will remain closed overnight due to continued snowfall, Caltrans announced.

“CHP is planning on reopening the Grapevine tomorrow at 11 a.m. Crews will be working through the night and into tomorrow morning in preparation for the reopening,” officials said.

4:45 p.m. – A winter weather advisory is in effect for several areas this Saturday and Sunday.

An advisory was issued until 11 p.m. Saturday night for the Santa Clarita Valley and the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys for elevations above 1,200 feet. Around one to three inches of snowfall is expected in the foothills.

The advisory is also in effect for the Antelope Valley until 4 a.m. on Sunday.

“Additional snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches in the foothills, and a dusting of 1 inch across the valley floor” is expected, said NWS.

2:25 p.m. – The National Weather Service has updated their forecast for Saturday afternoon into next week.

Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms with the capability to produce graupel and small hail will remain in the area until Saturday evening, with snow levels estimated to be around 1,500-3,000 feet.

A series of weak storms will make their way to the area on Sunday night and continue on and off until Wednesday, with an estimated half an inch to an inch of rain being predicted and snow above 3,500 feet.

These storms have the potential to extend the closures of mountain roads, and minor urban flooding may occur during heavier downpours.

1:48 p.m. – All Los Angeles County beaches are now closed due to lightning, according to the Lifeguard Division of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

1:39 p.m. – Topanga Canyon Boulevard is closed in both directions from the Pacific Coast Highway to Grand View Drive due to a mudslide, Caltrans said. An estimated reopening time has not been announced.

A mudslide closed Topanga Canyon Boulevard on Feb. 25, 2023. (Caltrans)

1:34 p.m. – The 5 Freeway near Atwater Village has been reopened, according to Caltrans. The roadway had been closed between Fletcher Drive and Los Feliz Boulevard, but the “flooding was cleared with portable pumps.”

“Roadway remains wet so slow down and allow extra space from vehicle in front,” Caltrans added on Twitter. “Drive safe.”

1:12 p.m. – Snow continues to fall on the Grapevine, according to the National Weather Service and California Highway Patrol.

Meanwhile, in Santa Monica, lightning has closed the beach, police said.

1:07 p.m. – The National Weather Service has predicted that the brunt of the storm will continue Saturday with periods of heavy showers and low-elevation snow.

NWS is also anticipating another storm bringing rain and snow into the area starting Sunday night and continuing on and off through Wednesday.

11:07 a.m. – All roads to Big Bear Valley are closed, the city of Big Bear Lake announced.

State Routes 330, 18 and 38 are shut down, with no estimated time of reopening available.

“CHP and Caltrans District 8 are working tirelessly to clear the roadways,” the city added.

10:56 a.m. – The National Weather Service has reported that the 5,700-foot tall Mount Wilson has seen 35 inches of snowfall over the last four days as of 10 a.m. Saturday morning.

Frazier Park, which sits at 5,000 feet, received 23 inches of snow in the same four day period.

Only one inch of snow was reported in Pearblossom at an elevation of 3,300 feet.

10:45 a.m. – New numbers from the National Weather Service show that through 10:22 a.m., Cogswell Dam in Los Angeles County has received 14.8 inches of rain.

Matilija Dam, Rose Valley and Pine Mountain Inn in Ventura County, Gibraltar Dam in San Bernardino County and Woodland Hills in Los Angeles County have all received more than 10 inches.

9:28 a.m. – Multiple recreational vehicles were swept into the Santa Clara River near the Valencia Travel Village RV Resort in Castaic early Saturday morning, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, which used a helicopter to search for potential victims.

According to Los Angeles County Fire Department Supervisor Peters, no one is injured or missing.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office provided this photo of an RV that was swept into a river in Castaic on Feb. 25, 2023.

Elsewhere, fallen trees are impacting traffic. In Beverly Hills, the 1000 block of North Beverly Drive was blocked, and in Glendale, at least one roadway near Chevy Chase Canyon was obstructed.

“REMEMBER If you see a fallen wire, please do not approach. Stay away and call 911 right away,” the city wrote on Twitter.

The city of Glendale provided this photo of a tree blocking a roadway on Feb. 25, 2023.

9:21 a.m. – The National Weather Service is reporting very high three-day rainfall levels in many locations through 3 a.m. Saturday morning. Rose Valley, the Pine Mountain Inn and the Matilija Dam in Ventura County have all seen 10 inches of rain or more, as has the Gibraltar Dam in Santa Barbara County. Woodland Hills and Stunt Ranch in Los Angeles County have seen 9.5 inches and 8.5 inches of rain, respectively, over the past three days.

7:40 a.m. – The 5 Freeway has been closed in both directions near Atwater Village due to flooding, according to Caltrans. Southbound traffic is closed from Los Feliz Boulevard to Glendale Boulevard, and northbound traffic is closed from Fletcher Drive to Glendale Boulevard. The closure will remain in place for an unknown duration.

7:18 a.m. – Both directions of Highway 14 past Sierra Highway in Canyon Country have been shut down due to snow and ice on the roadway. Additionally, there is a major mudslide at Soledad Canyon, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Overnight, reports indicated flooding on the 5 Freeway at Lankershim Boulevard and Fletcher Drive, on the 134 Freeway near Hollywood Way, on the 101 Freeway where it connects to the 10 Freeway, on the 710 Freeway at Florence Avenue and on the 5 Freeway at Western Avenue.

1:53 a.m. Saturday – The flash flood warning for L.A. County has been extended until 5 a.m.

1:40 a.m. Saturday – Here are 24 hour rain and snow measurements for Central and Southern California. Many locations have received over 2 inches of rain and 2 feet of snowfall.


1:25 a.m. Saturday – The flash flood warnings are set to expire at 2 a.m.

11:55 p.m. Friday – Over 30,000 residents were left without electricity on Friday night due to a severe winter storm pummeling Southern California, said the L.A. City Emergency Management Department. Officials advise affected residents to prepare by keeping flashlights handy and warm clothes nearby. Crews are working to restore power throughout the night.

11:22 p.m. – LAX flights grounded

Departure flights from Los Angeles International Airport have been grounded due to thunderstorms and turbulent winds. Airplanes are not able to take off or land during this time. The order is expected to stay active until at least midnight.

10:50 p.m. – Gusty wind alerts

A special weather statement for strong, gusty winds has been issued for Los Angeles, Long Beach and Glendale. Winds up to 55 miles per hour are expected. Those in the area should seek shelter. The alert is expected to last until 11:45 p.m.

10 p.m. – Flash flood warnings across L.A. and Ventura counties

Flash flood warnings have been issued for Simi Valley, Moorpark and Santa Paula until 1 a.m. and for Los Angeles, Glendale and Santa Clarita until 2 a.m.

9:58 p.m. – Severe thunderstorm warning in Ventura County

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for Santa Clarita, Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley until 10:45 p.m. Gusty winds up to 60 miles per hour are expected with possible hail, said NWS.

Officials say a tornado may be possible during this time. Residents are advised to seek shelter.

9:45 p.m. – Power outages across Los Angeles County

Power outages are affecting thousands of residents across Los Angeles County in North Hollywood, Crenshaw, Baldwin Hills, Jefferson Park and more.

Residents without power can “expect crews to respond between 12-24 hours from the time the outages are reported. Restoration may take longer depending on field conditions,” said LADWP.

“Our crews are working as quickly and safely as possible in cold and wet conditions to restore power to affected customers,” officials said.

To see the most up-to-date power alerts or to report an outage, click here.

8:50 p.m. – Gusty winds in Ventura County

A special weather statement for strong, gusty winds has been issued for Thousand Oaks, Camarillo and Moorpark on Friday night. Winds up to 55 miles per hour are expected. Those in the area should seek shelter. The alert is expected to last until 10 p.m.

8:00 p.m. – Possible landspout threatens Ventura County

A special weather statement for a possible landspout has been issued for Ojai, Mira Monte, Oak View, Oxnard, Buenaventura and Port Hueneme on Friday night.

In Ojai, Mira Monte and Oak View, residents are advised to seek shelter in a sturdy structure until 8:15 p.m., said NWS.

In Oxnard, Thousand Oaks and Camarillo, residents are advised to seek shelter in a sturdy structure until 9:45 p.m.

7:40 p.m. – Road closures in San Bernardino County

“This is the current situation on the 138 near Wrightwood where we have a closure from Berkeley to Hess in both directions. Crews are working hard to get it open. As you can see, it’s pretty tough out there,” said the CHP Inland Communications Center.

“SR-18 will be closed going Upbound at 48th St in San Bernardino due to stuck vehicles. Downbound will remain open for vehicles to get off the mountain,” officials said.

7:20 p.m. – CHP conducting escorts through the Grapevine

“CHP units from the Fort Tejon and Newhall areas are conducting escorts through the Grapevine. Road conditions are still very wet. Do not attempt to pass the CHP officers conducting the escorts. The weather conditions are expected to last through the night so please travel safe.”

6:35 p.m. – Heavy band of rain moving into Ventura County, dangerous mountain conditions persist

A band of heavier rain is expected to move into Ventura County between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. Friday night, “capable of producing rainfall rates locally to 1 inch per hour,” said NWS.

Dangerous mountain driving conditions will persist. Drivers are urged to avoid traveling on mountain roads through Saturday.

6:10 p.m. – Evacuation warning issued for Bond Fire burn area

A voluntary evacuation warning has been issued for the Silverado Canyon and Williams Canyon area due to possible debris flows along or near the burn scar. The warning will be in effect from Friday at 5:30 p.m. until Saturday, Feb. 24.

A flood watch has been issued for the burn scar area by the National Weather Service. Areas under evacuation warning can be found online here.

Residents without safe shelter can access a dormitory-style shelter located at the Lake Forest Sports Park.

Editor’s note: This story was updated to correct the location of Gibraltar Dam.

2 years ago

KTLA 5’s Mark Kriski has the latest on the NWS advisories and warnings, and the extended forecast.

2 years ago

State Route 18 in San Bernardino County is closed due to downed power lines. Traffic in both directions is closed between Kuffel Canyon and Sky Park.

“Please stay out of the area and off the mountain for crews to respond to the situation,” Caltrans said.

State Route 18 is shown on March 24, 2023, in a photo provided by Caltrans.

2 years ago

Current temperatures along the coastal areas and valleys of Southern California are in the 40s to low 50s. Friday’s forecasted high temperature in Los Angeles is 54 degrees.

2 years ago

Red indicates which mountain areas are currently under a blizzard warning.

2 years ago

Current radar over Southern California shows that Ventura County, Santa Barbara County and the Central Valley appear to be getting the heaviest rain. Get this radar on your phone, tablet or PC.

2 years ago

The 5 Freeway through the Grapevine is closed due to whiteout conditions. (Caltrans)

2 years ago

Most drivers in metropolitan Los Angeles are seeing wet roads and traffic, as shown by the Drive5 view on the southbound 170 Freeway near Magnolia.

Southbound I-70 traffic in the San Fernando Valley is depicted on Feb. 24, 2023. (KTLA)