A storm expected to bring more rain and snow than the last one is expected to roll into the region early Wednesday morning, Dec. 29, meteorologists said.
There were scattered showers in some areas Tuesday night, but the storm is projected to bring rain through Thursday, with up to 2 inches along with coast in Los Angeles and Orange counties, and up to 4 or 5 inches in foothills, valleys and some parts of the Inland Empire, meteorologists said Tuesday.
A few inches of snow could fall as low as 4,000 feet, with places in higher elevations such as Big Bear possibly seeing up to 3 feet of snow, said Elizabeth Schenk, a National Weather Service meteorologist.
“Really try to be careful traveling over the next few days,” she said. “Precipitation will be very heavy and lead to travel delays, especially if people are traveling in the mountains. Make sure to check road closures and things like that before you venture.”
A flood watch was in effect for Orange County, the Inland Empire and mountain areas from 10 a.m. Wednesday to 4 p.m. Thursday. A winter storm warning was announced for mountains areas in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties from 1 a.m. Wednesday to 4 a.m. Friday.
A voluntary evacuation warning was issued for those who live in the Bond fire burn area in Orange County, starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Silverado, Williams and Modjeska canyons Canyon were all included in the warning.
Blanca Ruvalcaba, of Moreno Valley, rides a sled with son, Victor, down a slope along Hwy 38, near Sugarloaf Park in the San Bernardino National Forest on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
A group plays beach volleyball on the sand at Huntington State Beach in Huntington Beach on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. The Unified Command announced on December 28th that they have concluded clean up efforts of the early October oil spill off the coast of Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Children play in the snow along Hwy 38, near Sugarloaf Park in the San Bernardino National Forest on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Crews work in the snow to remove debris along Hwy 38, north of Forest Falls in the San Bernardino National Forest on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Cars drive over a rockfall along Hwy 38, north of Forest Falls in the San Bernardino National Forest on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Cars carefully make their way pass fallen rocks along Hwy 38, north of Forest Falls in the San Bernardino National Forest on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Kevin Ornelas, of Riverside, piles snow on top of his car after making a snowman along Hwy 38, near Sugarloaf Park in the San Bernardino National Forest on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Dalia Hernandez, 19, of Moreno Valley, gets a push from her brother, Diego, 17, as she sleds down a slope along Hwy 38, near Sugarloaf Park in the San Bernardino National Forest on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Kevin Ornelas, left, have a snow fight with Dulce Rodriguez, both of Riverside, along Hwy 38, near Sugarloaf Park in the San Bernardino National Forest on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Many took advantage of the break in the wet weather by visiting the beach in Torrance on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. Showers are forecasted to return Wednsneday and Thursday but New Year’s Eve celebrations should be under clear skies. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Many took advantage of the break in the wet weather by visiting the beach in Torrance on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. Showers are forecasted to return Wednsneday and Thursday but New Year’s Eve celebrations should be under clear skies. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Many took advantage of the break in the wet weather by visiting the beach in Torrance on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. Showers are forecasted to return Wednsneday and Thursday but New Year’s Eve celebrations should be under clear skies. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
With a break from the rain but cold temperatures and bright sun, the ocean almost looks like snow at the beach in Torrance on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. Showers are forecasted to return Wednsneday and Thursday but New Year’s Eve celebrations should be under clear skies. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The frigid cold didn’t prevent this surfer from hitting the water in Torrance on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. Showers are forecasted to return Wednsneday and Thursday but New Year’s Eve celebrations should be under clear skies. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Many took advantage of the break in the wet weather by visiting the beach in Torrance on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. Showers are forecasted to return Wednsneday and Thursday but New Year’s Eve celebrations should be under clear skies. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Viewed from Glendale, clouds pass over downtown Los Angeles between rain storms on Tuesday, December 28, 2021.
With the 6th St. construction project at bottom, clouds pass over downtown Los Angeles between rain storms on Tuesday, December 28, 2021.
With the 110 freeway on the right, clouds pass over downtown Los Angeles between rain storms on Tuesday, December 28, 2021.
Areas such as Crestline could see some snow mixed in with rain, Schenk said. Places at around 5,000 feet or higher could see anywhere from 6 to 12 inches of snow, she said.
“In addition to the heavy snow, we’ll be looking at some strong southwest winds with gusts up to 55 mph,” she said. “Those strong winds with the very heavy snowfall will reduce visibility, making travel difficult or nearly impossible at mountain passes.”
In Orange County and the Inland Empire, high temperatures were expected to be 15 to 20 degrees cooler than normal for this time of year, Schenk said.
High temperatures for most areas in the Inland Empire, Orange and Los Angeles counties should stay in the 50s, forecasts show.
Santa Ana and Long Beach’s expected high temperatures for Wednesday was 58 degrees, with 51 degrees in Hemet and 53 degrees in San Bernardino.
The storm will clear up for New Year’s weekend, but another storm could roll in next week, said Kristen Stewart, a National Weather Service meteorologist.
“It’s a pretty cool and wet pattern going into the new year, which is good considering what we’ve been seeing this year,” she said. “Last year was a bit of a bust. Next year is starting out strong, at least for now.”
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