Oh, you've gotten used to this nice, relatively warm and totally dry winter weather? Well, we regret to inform you that this delightfully temperate portion of the season is over. Starting tomorrow, L.A. will be hit with our first storm of the year.
According to the National Weather Service, the coasts and valleys are expected to get between one quarter and three quarters of an inch of rain, and the mountains and foothills are looking at between three quarters of an inch and one-and-a-half inches.
Winds will hit between 30 and 50 miles per hour.
Storm coming Thursday and Thursday night. Significant roadway impacts expected. I-5 Grapevine could have snow delays or closures. Bring chains, food and blankets if you must travel in the mountains. Wet urban roads will cause delays for evening commute. #BeSafe #Cawx #LARain pic.twitter.com/cj3n84eXQp
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) January 14, 2020
The wet weather could mean minor flooding in urban areas and some roadways, which would coincide with the afternoon commute and cause delays.
In the mountains, snow will start to appear around 3,500 feet elevation. Areas at 3,500 to 4,500 feet will see between one and four inches of snow, and areas at over 5,000 feet will see four to eight inches. That means possible road closures, including the Grapevine.
Just after Christmas last year, snow appeared at elevations as low as 2,500 feet. That was after L.A. welcomed winter with between one and one-and-an-half inches of rain, and snow that closed down the Grapevine for 36 hours.
