Storm means fresh snow for Southland mountains
RUNNING SPRINGS, Calif. (KABC) -- The latest storm is expected to bring a healthy dose of snow to our local mountains with up to a foot of fresh powder in the higher elevations.
The snow level is expected to drop to 4,000 feet on Sunday. Expect 4-8 inches of snow at the 5,000-6,500 foot level and around 8-12 inches for areas above 6,500 feet. Local accumulations of 1-2 inches are possible at elevations as low as 3,500 feet.
Along Highway 18 between Big Bear and Running Springs, light snow collected on the road Saturday night. Chain requirements were in effect for the highways to and through the Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead resort areas.
The NWS advised motorists to prepare for hazardous conditions and possible road closures, and to carry chains, extra food, water and clothing.
A total accumulation of 18 inches of snow are possible in the San Gabriel Mountains and the higher peaks of northern Ventura County.
A winter weather advisory is in effect until 4 a.m. Monday for the mountains in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, excluding the Santa Monica range.
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The snow is welcome news for Snow Summit Mountain Resort in Big Bear, which has nearly all of its trails open for the weekend. The resort has been making snow, but the month of February was unusually dry. A storm that brings up to 12 inches of snow or more would be a vital boost for business and keep the season alive.
"We've been waiting for this all month. We had one little snow storm in the whole month of February which is really unusual to only have one with these warm conditions that we've had," said Brent Tregaskis with Snow Summit. "But for the next four days look like snow morning, day and night, and it looks like we can get 2-4 inches each day."
The storm will also bring rain across the Southland. The rain will likely increase with a chance of thunderstorms into Sunday morning. The foothill communities may get up to 2 inches of rainfall and the valleys may get 1.5 inches. Residents in the Colby Fire burn area in Glendora are bracing for possible mudslides.
More rain is expected to hit the Southland Monday and Tuesday.
