Winter Storm Warning Issued for Northern Ventura and Eastern San Gabriel Mountains
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Southern California mountains, forecasting up to two feet of snow and 70 mph wind gusts through Thursday morning.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles/Oxnard has issued a Winter Storm Warning for high-elevation regions in Southern California. The alert is effective starting at 6:00 AM PST on Monday, February 16, and remains in place until 9:00 AM PST on Thursday, February 19.
Affected Areas
The warning specifically covers the following geographic regions:
- Northern Ventura County Mountains
- Eastern San Gabriel Mountains
What You Should Do
Residents and travelers are urged to monitor the latest forecasts for updates. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility. Leave plenty of room between you and the motorist ahead of you, and allow extra time to reach your destination. Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and be especially cautious on hills or when making turns. Ensure your vehicle is winterized and in good working order. Additionally, be aware that damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines, making travel difficult for high-profile vehicles.
Expected Conditions
Heavy snow is possible throughout the warning period with accumulations varying by elevation:
- 3,500 to 4,500 feet: Total snow accumulations of up to 4 inches.
- 4,500 to 6,000 feet: 6 to 12 inches of snow.
- Above 6,000 feet: 1 to 2 feet of snow.
Wind conditions will be severe, with gusts reaching up to 70 mph through Monday afternoon and remaining as high as 50 mph through Thursday morning. Visibilities may drop below one-quarter mile due to falling and blowing snow, and roads—especially bridges and overpasses—are likely to become slick and hazardous.
Timeline
The Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 6:00 AM PST Monday to 9:00 AM PST Thursday. Forecasters note there will be a break in the snowfall from Tuesday into Tuesday night before heavy snow returns on Wednesday. However, blowing and drifting snow will continue to produce significant visibility restrictions above 6,000 feet even during the temporary break in precipitation.
Source: NOAA Official Notice