Public safety maven Carolyn Seitz has shared the following message she received from John Pinedo, Disaster Management Coordinator for our part of the County. Looks like there may be a damper on all the St. Patrick's Day activities:
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard is predicting a significant fast-moving storm system to impact southwest CA from Friday night through Sunday. Please check our website for the latest details on precipitation amounts and any highlighted statements or weather story graphics associated with this event.
MAIN IMPACTS:
1. Very low snow levels. There will be high potential for transportation problems on Sunday. Snow levels will be 5000 to 6000 feet Friday night and Saturday then lower to 2000 feet at times by Sunday morning. Travel may be impacted Saturday night through Sunday along Interstate 5 over Tejon Pass/Grapevine, Highway 14 over Soledad Pass and Highway 138 in the Antelope Valley, and Highway 33 in the Ventura County Mountains.
2. Cold temperatures. Day-time highs for Sunday will be as much as 15-20 degrees below normal with the potential for widespread frost and/or freezing temperatures Saturday and Sunday nights. Black ice on freeways and crop damage may occur during these colder periods.
SYNOPSIS: A cold low pressure system will drop down the west coast on Friday with a cold front moving through southwest CA on Saturday. Heaviest precipitation will occur along/near the cold front on Saturday then turn showery late Saturday afternoon through Sunday. Showers on Saturday afternoon and Sunday will likely contain small hail or ice pellets which could briefly make highways slick in coastal and valley areas.
TIMING: Precipitation will develop late Friday night along the central coast spreading south of Point Conception early Saturday morning. Moderate to briefly heavy rain will occur for about 4-6 hours along and near the front on Saturday and in post-frontal showers Saturday night and Sunday. The entire system will shift eastward Sunday night into Monday with showers decreasing across the region.
PRECIPITATION TOTALS: Most coastal and valley areas could see 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rain with locally higher amounts along the central coast and foothill areas, and generally less than 0.50 inches across the Antelope Valley.
Preliminary snowfall totals will range from 6-12 inches above 6000 feet with locally higher amounts possible, up to 6 inches near 5000 feet, and 1-3 inches down to 3000 feet.
WINDS: Southwest winds will be strongest across the mountains and desert Saturday, then turn west-northwest for Saturday night and Sunday. Expect wind speeds of 20-30 mph with gusts of 40-50 mph in these areas.
