Winter storm brings rain, snow and wind before Southern California warms up again – Orange County Register

A fierce winter storm moved into Southern California on Tuesday bringing frigid temperatures, gusty winds, showers and scattered snow, conditions that forecasters said would last through Wednesday.

Tuesday afternoon saw temperatures in the 50s for coastal valley areas between the coast and the foothills of Santa Ana while mountain temperatures in San Bernardino County and Riverside County were in the 30s and 40 with gusts of up to 50 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

The heaviest rainfall and snow are expected from Tuesday night through early Wednesday morning.

Avoid traveling on mountain routes until Thursday. If you must go, you will need a leash. Traffic moves slowly and will get worse as much of the storm moves through the night. Know before you go https://t.co/DWmXqRljRt pic.twitter.com/ixTcpOYh7c

– Caltrans District 8 (@ Caltrans8) February 22, 2022

A winter storm warning for mountainous areas in San Bernardino County, including Interstate 15 through the Cajon Pass, has been issued by the National Weather Service through noon Wednesday. Light snowfall is expected at 2000 feet with 4 to 6 inches expected at 4000 to 6000 feet and 6 to 12 inches above 6000 feet with greater amounts on higher peaks.

Officials also issued a warning about the possibility of heavy snowfall in the mountains of Riverside County through 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Los Angeles County is expected to receive relatively light, but scattered, rain Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning. A total of 1 to 3 inches of snow is predicted for elevations above 2500 feet.

By Tuesday afternoon, the strongest gusts had been recorded at Toro Peak in Riverside at 74 mph, Cajon Pass at 45 mph, Chino Hills at 47 mph and the Valley. Jurupa at 40 mph.

In Orange County, Laguna Beach had winds of 41 mph, San Clemente reached 40 mph, and Huntington Beach Pier had winds of 38 mph.

Lytle Creek Canyon in San Bernardino County had its highest 24-hour total rainfall of 0.79 inches as of 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Snow Valley received 5 inches of snow at 7,000 to 7,500 feet at 6:30 p.m. EST

“This system is part of a westward passing wave coming from the Pacific Northwest,” said Brian Adams, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

The system is expected to be down on Thursday morning. Temperatures will still be cold to begin with, on Saturday and through Sunday it will be significantly warmer, Adams said.