Southern California to be hit with cold storm bringing wind, rain
LOS ANGELES - A cold storm made its way to Southern California as rain began falling Wednesday morning.
Rain was reported from the San Fernando Valley to Corona in Riverside County.
A wind advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service for parts of Los Angeles County until 10 p.m. Wednesday.
West winds from 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph are expected in the Antelope Valley, Palmdale and Lancaster.
A wind advisory was also in effect for Los Angeles County beach areas from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday.
West winds from 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph are expected in Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Zuma Beach, LAX, Long Beach, Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica and Torrance.
A freeze watch is in effect in Lancaster, Palmdale and the Santa Clarita Valley from Thursday night until Friday morning.
Sub-freezing temperatures are expected as low as 25 degrees in Palmdale and Lancaster. Temperatures are expected to be as low as 28 degrees in the Santa Clarita Valley.
The cold storm slowly advancing on the Southland is expected to bring cooler temperatures, winds and even snow in the mountains.
National Weather Service forecasters noted that temperatures in much of the area Tuesday morning were 5 to 15 degrees lower than they were on Monday, beginning several days of cooler weather and some precipitation.
"Much cooler temperatures are expected the rest of this week as a cold storm moves into California," according to the NWS. "Light rain and mountain snow are possible late today (Tuesday) into early Thursday, and may result in delays over Interstate 5. Gusty onshore winds are expected across the Los Angeles mountains and Antelope Valley this afternoon (Tuesday)."
A wind advisory was in effect in the Antelope Valley and Los Angeles County mountains until 9 p.m. Tuesday, with forecasters reporting winds of 25 to 35 mph, with isolated gusts of up to 50 mph.
The possibility of mountain snow will increase Wednesday, with the Grapevine area of the Golden State (5) Freeway in northern Los Angeles County possibly affected by Wednesday night.
Temperatures are expected to be 10 to 20 degrees below normal on Wednesday, accompanied by gusty west to northwest winds that could persist through Thursday night, and through Friday morning in some mountain and valley areas.