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Climate and Environment

Your SoCal Weather Report For Wednesday, May 3: Rain And Snow Come With A Winter Weather Advisory

A cloud pattern is swirling over the Southern California coast in the shot from a satellite.
A satellite image captures the weather pattern over the West Coast on May 2.
(
Courtesy NOAA
)

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Today we'll see mostly cloudy skies during the day, and a storm will pick up later in the evening.

Quick Facts
    • Today’s weather: Cold, cloudy, rain, snow, thunderstorms.
    • Beaches: highs 60s , lows 40s.
    • Mountains: highs 50s, lows 30s.
    • Inland: highs 60s, lows 50s.
    • Warnings and advisories: Winter weather advisory

Coastal areas and valleys will see an inch of rain and the mountains will see up to 2 inches.

The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for local mountains.

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"Travel could be impacted along the Interstate 5 corridor," said meteorologist Todd Hall. "If you're traveling between the L.A. Basin and out towards San Joaquin Valley, you should be preparing for winter weather conditions."

About that winter weather advisory

A graphic reads "Ran & Mountain Snow Through Thursday" with an image of rain on a glass surface to the right and details about upcoming weather forecasts on the left.
(
National Weather Service
)

A winter weather advisory has been issued for the San Bernardino Mountains from midnight to 6 p.m. tomorrow, including Big Bear Lake.

A similar advisory for the Ventura County Mountains starts at 8 p.m. tonight and continues until 2 p.m. tomorrow.

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There's also a chance of thunderstorms for this evening that could bring heavy downpours, small hail for short periods of time or even waterspouts near the coastal areas.

Mountain communities are getting between 4 and 8 inches through tomorrow evening at snow levels above 5,000 feet.

Drivers are urged to prepare for slick roadways.

Look ahead

This week's rain is expected to linger, with the National Weather Service forecasting that showers may stay through Saturday morning.

Hall says that in the spring, storms systems are often uncertain. As sunlight hits the globe farther north, the jet stream becomes wilder.

"[Storm systems are] broken off from the jet stream, and so there's a lot more uncertainty as far as the movement and the exact timing," he says.

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Hall says for now, the showers will concentrate over local mountains and bring light snow. There is also the potential for gusty winds on the deserts.

This day in history

Love Christmas music? Raise a glass today, because on May 3, 1903, Bing Crosby was born in Tacoma, Washington. Crosby released a deep, crooning version of "White Christmas" in 1945 that's become a staple of the holiday season. The actor, singer and entertainer launched his career with a radio show, then went on to dominate music charts and both the big and small screens. He died in 1977.

Things to do

As a storm heads our way, take cover with these rollicking indoor events:

  • Lucha VaVOOM: Catch this hugely popular variety show at the Mayan Theater on Thursday or Friday. The two-night event features Mexican masked wrestling — including DMT Azul, Rey Horus, Magno “The Man Mountain” Rudo — burlesque dancers, aerialists and comedians.
  • Emotionally Unreasonable: Check out this new stand-up/musical comedy solo show at the Yard Theatre in East Hollywood, written by and starring NYC-based comedian and actor Maria DeCotis (developed with Ryan Cunningham). DeCotis shares her experience as a professional wedding officiant who’s conflicted about marriage. She’ll tell tales about life, love and people who shouldn’t get married.

Check out our full list of things to do this week.

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