Winter storm brings cold temps, precipitation, dangerous winds to Southland
LOS ANGELES - A winter cold front passed through Southern California on Sunday leaving a mass of cold air, expected below average temperatures, freezing conditions and damaging, high winds overnight, according to the National Weather Service.
Highs were expected to be as much as 25 degrees colder on Monday than they have been over this weekend, the weather service said.
In addition to Los Angeles County, those colder temperatures were expected to spread across Orange and Riverside counties.
Overnight high winds were expected to include dangerous gusts between 50 and 70 mph for most areas with isolated gusts of 80 to 90 mph near the Grapevine and Golden State (5) Freeway through Monday, the weather service said.
There is also a threat of light snow and icy roads on Interstate 5 near the Grapevine beginning between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., the weather service predicted. A dusting of 1 inch of snow was expected.
Driving conditions were also expected to be dangerous on Interstate 5 corridor and other mountain roads overnight. Black ice on the roads is alsopossible because of the dramatic drop in temperatures, the weather service said. Wind chills were expected to dip to near zero overnight, in conjunction with the cold and gusty winds.
Frost was expected in the Santa Monica Mountains with even colder temperatures Monday and Tuesday nights. A hard freeze was expected in Antelope Valley over the next two nights possibly damaging crops and outdoor plants, the weather service said.
The weather service also advised people to bring their pets inside and keep farm animals in their barns.
Another casualty of the dramatic weather change is the impromptu memorial that has risen up outside Staples Center to honor retired Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and the other seven people who were killed in last Sunday's helicopter crash.
Staples Center will close the memorial Sunday evening and collect the items in advance of the cold front and the expected heavy winds and rain.
FOX 11's Shelly Insheiwat contributed.