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Stormwatch: Snow Closes the Grapevine, SoCal Soaked
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The storm we were anticipating showed up early this morning, and is dumping rain and snow on Southern California.Snow has already caused Interstate 5 at Gorman to close down, and it is "expected to remain shut indefinitely," L.A. Now reports. Specifically, the I-5 in the Grapevine is closed from 4 miles north of the 126/Lake Hughes Road junction all the way to the Kern County line due to snow and icy road conditions, and drivers are being asked to use alternate routes if they plan to travel in that area by car, according to the Department of Transportation. The 2 in Angeles Crest is also closed from Islip Saddle to 5 Miles West of Big Pines.
Although there are no closures in the city, there have been many accidents on area freeways, despite the lightened traffic of President's Day. Heavy rain is predicted for today and tomorrow, and could turn into "what forecasters say would be the Southland's biggest storm of the season." The rain brings the threat of mudslides to recent burn areas, as well as high-wind warnings, surf swells of 7-9 feet, and gale warnings for boaters.
Area mountains can expect blowing snow, while "in the coastal and valley areas of Southern California, 1 to 3 inches of rain is expected, with up to 5 inches in mountain areas. Temperatures could drop to between 19 and 29 degrees tonight in the mountains."
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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