Winter Storm Warning Issued for Santa Barbara and Ventura County Mountains, Interstate 5 Corridor
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from Tuesday night through Thursday morning, bringing heavy snow and high winds to Southern California mountain regions.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles/Oxnard has issued a Winter Storm Warning for several mountain regions in Southern California. The alert is effective from February 16 at 9:17 AM PST and remains in place until February 19 at 9:00 AM PST.
Affected Areas
The warning covers the following geographic regions:
- Santa Barbara County Interior Mountains
- Southern Ventura County Mountains
- Interstate 5 Corridor
What You Should Do
Residents and travelers are advised to take the following precautions:
- If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility.
- Leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the motorist ahead of you.
- Allow extra time to reach your destination.
- Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, especially on hills or when making turns.
- Ensure your vehicle is winterized and in good working order.
- Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on the situation.
Expected Conditions
Heavy snow is possible across the affected regions with the following accumulations:
- 3,500 to 4,500 feet elevation: 1 to 4 inches of snow possible, including the Grapevine section of the Interstate 5 Corridor.
- Above 4,500 feet elevation: 6 to 12 inches of snow possible.
- Wind: Gusts could reach as high as 50 mph.
- Visibility: Blowing and falling snow may cause visibilities to drop below one-quarter mile.
Roads, bridges, and overpasses are likely to become slick and hazardous, making travel treacherous.
Timeline
The specific window for hazardous conditions begins at 9:00 PM PST on Tuesday, February 17, and is expected to continue until 9:00 AM PST on Thursday, February 19.
Source: NOAA Official Notice