The tail end of a winter storm moved across the Southland Thursday, with forecasters warning of potential off-and-on showers throughout the day, and possibly isolated thunderstorms, while snow continued to fall in higher mountain elevations.
According to the National Weather Service, the chance of showers will continue through Thursday night and potentially into Friday morning, with dry and warmer conditions on tap by Friday afternoon through the weekend.
“There will likely be enough instability for scattered thunderstorms to develop just about anywhere as well,” according to the NWS. “Any thunderstorms that form today (Thursday) will likely contain accumulating small hail, heavy precipitation and dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning.”
Forecasters said snow could fall at elevations as low as 2,500 feet, while temperatures across the region will be well below normal, remaining mostly in the 50s.
A winter storm warning will remain in effect until 10 p.m. for the Los Angeles County mountains, excluding the Santa Monica range. Forecasters said an additional 3 to 6 inches could fall at elevations above 4,000 feet, with lower elevations receiving just a dusting of snow.
Portions of the Golden State (5) and Antelope Valley (14) freeways could still be impacted by the weather.
A flash flood watch will be in effect through late Thursday evening for the Santa Ana Mountains and foothills, Orange County inland areas and the Silverado and Bond Burn scars in Orange County.
“Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms will continue through late tonight, with the potential for heavy downpours,” according to the NWS. “There will likely be a lull in the activity during the day today (Thursday), with renewed activity beginning around sunset and continuing through late tonight.”
Forecasters said rain rates around 0.3 inches per hour could trigger debris flows once again in and near the Silverado and Bond Burn scars.
Evacuation orders were still in place Thursday in Silverado, Modjeska and Williams canyons, following a mudslide early Wednesday that cascaded onto Silverado Canyon Road. No injuries were reported.
“We’re expecting more rain later this afternoon and into the evening with widely scattered showers, but heavy at times,” Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Concialdi said Thursday. “We are keeping hard closures to Silverado Canyon Road, Williams Canyon Road and Modjeska Canyon Road.”
Sanitago Road remains open, but the entrances to the three canyons are closed, Concialdi said.
Orange County Public Works crews were continuing to work to clear Silverado Canyon Road. No homes were destroyed, but multiple residences and vehicles sustained damage, Concialdi said.
On Friday, the forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with a 20 percent chance of showers and winds around 15 mph in the afternoon.
On Wednesday, the storm system dropped more than three-quarters of an inch of rain in Culver City and more than a half-inch in downtown Los Angeles, Hawthorne and Los Angeles International Airport, according to the NWS. Mount Wilson received 6 inches or more of snow.
The Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management urged residents to be prepared for possible power outages, and to be careful on the roads.
“Rainfall has finally arrived once again in L.A. County, and residents should practice rain safety tips during morning commutes and be prepared for power outages if they should occur, especially since many individuals are working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Kevin McGowan, director of the county office.
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority announced that weather-activated shelters will be open until 7 a.m. Friday at Loma Alta Park in Altadena; Glassell Park Recreation Center; Mary Bethune, Enterprise and Leon Washington parks in South Los Angeles; and Alondra Park in Torrance.
Information about shelters is available by calling 211 or 800-548-6047.