‘Potent storm’ may lash region
Southland is expected to get gusty winds and freezing temperatures by week’s end.
A cool air mass moving through the Southland this week is expected to deliver gusty winds, subfreezing temperatures and a potentially significant storm system by week’s end, the National Weather Service said.
Temperatures on Monday dropped about 10 to 15 degrees from the day prior, with highs in downtown Los Angeles likely to top out around 64 degrees, said Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
Wednesday morning is expected to be the coldest point of the week, when the L.A. metro area is slated to see low temperatures in the 40s, Kittell said. The Santa Clarita Valley and far western San Fernando Valley could drop into the 30s, while the Antelope Valley could see temperatures in the 20s.
That forecast prompted the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to issue a cold weather alert, warning of wind chill temperatures below 32 degrees in several areas, including the Santa Clarita Valley through Wednesday, Lancaster through Thursday and Mt. Wilson through Friday.
“Children, the elderly, and people with disabilities or special medical needs are especially vulnerable during cold weather,” said Muntu Davis, L.A. County’s health officer. “Extra precaution should be taken to ensure they don’t get too cold when they are outside.”
The county health department advised residents to dress in warm layers, bring pets indoors and check on family members, friends and neighbors with limited mobility and limited access to heat. People should not use stoves, barbecues or ovens to heat their homes because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, Davis said.
Residents experiencing homelessness can find shelter through the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority’s winter shelter program or by calling the L.A. County information line at 211.
Wind advisories are also in effect across the region through Tuesday, including portions of the Antelope Valley and the mountain areas of Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties, where gusts of up to 55 mph are possible, according to the weather service. Some areas may see scattered rain and snow.
Kittell said a “significant storm system” is expected to arrive on the heels of the cold air mass by week’s end, likely moving in late Thursday and into Friday.
“We’re looking at pretty widespread rain — 1 to 2 inches — and then up in the mountains closer to 4 inches,” he said.
The forecast may change in the coming days, he said, “but it does look like a pretty potent storm.”