The mercury dipped into the 20s and 30s in the Antelope Valley overnight. A freeze warning expired at 9 a.m. Wednesday for the area, but a freeze watch remains in effect until Thursday morning.
Some residents welcomed the chilly conditions.
"I like the cold weather. Living in Southern California, you don't really get it very often, so I look forward to it," said one Los Angeles resident.
Some of the Antelope Valley's homeless slept in their cars. For those in need of a warm place to stay, there are beds available at the Lancaster Community Shelter on Yucca Avenue. Families can call ahead and single men and women can begin lining up in the afternoon.
"There's already been a 50 percent increase from what we understand was happening last year so we can only anticipate that the need going into the winter months is going to be that much greater," said Stacey Waddle, a shelter employee.
It's expected to be warm and sunny on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, with highs reaching the upper 70s in the Los Angeles-Metro area, Orange County and Inland Empire. But more cold temperatures and rain are forecasted for the weekend.
A wind advisory was issued until 2 p.m. Wednesday for the Los Angeles County mountain areas.
The cold weather is wonderful news for skiers and snowboarders. Bear Mountain opened Wednesday and Snow Summit opens Thursday. Mountain High opened over the weekend.
