Biggest storm of the season drenches Southern California with rain, snowfall at unusually low altitudes
The biggest storm of the season so far dumped up to 4 feet of snow in Southern California mountains over the past two days, and brought plenty of rain to the region. But don’t put those umbrellas or tire chains away just yet — there’s more to come next week.
Local mountains in several counties were blanketed white Friday from the storm that began Wednesday and lasted through Thanksgiving, with heavy snow prompting road closures, causing headaches for holiday travelers.
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Friday afternoon and evening were expected to remain cold throughout the region with occasional rain showers, said Casey Oswant, a National Weather Service meteorologist
“The snow is pretty much done,” she said Friday afternoon. “The mountains could get a few isolated snow showers, but it would be a pretty light amount of snow.”
But more rain and snow are expected next week, starting Wednesday, Oswant said.
By Friday morning in the San Bernardino mountains, Big Bear City was covered in up to 30 inches of snow and about 4 feet at its resorts. Lake Arrowhead had about 30 inches of snow and Mt. Baldy had 2 feet.
Folks on social media in Big Bear posted photos of the roads covered in snow, along with their cars buried in it. Road closures affected people getting in and out of the city.
Currently all roads in and out of Big Bear are closed due to heavy snowfall. At this point there is no estimated time to reopen any of the highways. Please drive with caution. pic.twitter.com/q3DFScTSFO
— Capt. Mitch Dattilo (@SBCSDmdattilo) November 28, 2019
Not going anywhere anytime soon #bigbear pic.twitter.com/DtybC8bZD3
— Jamie Barkley (@JamieBarkley4) November 29, 2019
While snow in those areas, at the 5,000-feet range and higher, is common at this time of year — it also fell at about half that altitude during this storm, much lower than usual for this time of year.
“That was a pretty low snow level,” Oswant said. “This is a particularly cold storm system and the snow levels reflected that.”
Beaumont, for example, at a 2,600-foot altitude was dusted with up to 2 inches of snow.
Lytle Creek — near the 15 Freeway that traverses through the Cajon Pass — got about 7 inches of snow by Thursday night. The weather prompted multiple closures throughout Thanksgiving.
Toward Los Angeles, Frazier Park got up to about 2 feet of snow and Gorman got between 3-6 inches. The weather caused multiple closures of the 5 Freeway that goes through that area and Grapevine.
Snow also fell in Orange County at Santiago Peak, but it wasn’t clear how much it had gotten. However, earlier predictions by the National Weather Service estimated 6-12 inches of snowfall at the peak throughout the storm.
Rancho Santa Margarita resident Derek McGregor said he could see Santiago Peak covered in white Friday.
“It’s always majestic when that happens,” he said. “To have it right when you have it in your own backyard.”
McGregor, who has lived there for 30 years, estimated he can see snowfall on the peak roughly once or twice a year. But this early in the year, and having it completely covered in snow, is unusual.
“It was bright,” he said of the sun shining on Santiago Peak. “Like somebody turned a light on the mountain.”
Meanwhile, rain drenched the lower foothills, valleys and coastal cities.
Lower down in Orange County, Coto de Caza saw the most rainfall with about 3 inches. Santa Ana got about 2 inches.
The Los Angeles foothills, such as Claremont, received up to 2.5 inches. Long Beach had the most rainfall out of the metropolitan area, with more than 2 inches.
Toward the San Fernando Valley, cities received about 1-2 inches of rainfall.
The cities of Riverside and San Bernardino each saw about 2 inches of rain.