Cold, Powerful Thanksgiving Storm Begins Hitting Southern California Today – San Bernardino Sun
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11/27/2019 Cold, powerful Thanksgiving storm begins hitting Southern California today – San Bernardino Sun NEWSCALIFORNIA NEWS Cold, powerful Thanksgiving storm begins hitting Southern California today Graphic courtesy of the National Weather Service By CITY NEWS SERVICE || [email protected] || PUBLISHED: November 27, 2019 at 5:56 am || UPDATED:UPDATED: November 27, 2019 at 6:01 am https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/27/cold-powerful-thanksgiving-storm-begins-hitting-southern-california-today/ 1/4 11/27/2019 Cold, powerful Thanksgiving storm begins hitting Southern California today – San Bernardino Sun LOS ANGELES — A storm out of the Gulf of Alaska will slide into Southern California today — Wednesday, Nov. 27 — and unleash rain, snow and cold winds through Thanksgiving while causing rough seas and wreaking havoc on thethe region’sregion’s roads,roads, forecastersforecasters said.said. A winter storm warning signifying an expectation of difficult travel conditions will be in effect in the San Gabriel Mountains from 4 a.m. today until 4 a.m. Friday. Most mountain areas will get 6 to 12 inches of snow — including 3-6 inches in thethe Grapevine,Grapevine, whichwhich couldcould snarlsnarl InterstateInterstate 55 —— butbut upup toto 2424 inchesinches ofof snowsnow isis expected to accumulate at higher elevations. Graphic courtesy of the National Weather Service The snow level will be at between 5,000 and 7,000 feet this morning but dip down to 3,000 feet tonight, according to the NWS. “Travel could be very difficult to impossible,” warned an NWS statement. “The hazardous conditions could result in temporary road closures. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches and cause power outages.” A winter storm warning is also scheduled until 10 p.m. Friday in the Santa Ana Mountains, which spread across some of Orange County. https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/27/cold-powerful-thanksgiving-storm-begins-hitting-southern-california-today/ 2/4 11/27/2019 Cold, powerful Thanksgiving storm begins hitting Southern California today – San Bernardino Sun Total snowfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches are expected between 4,000 and 4,500 feet, 6 to 18 inches from 4,500 to 5,500 feet, and from 1 to 3 feet above 5500 feet, said the NWS. Snowfall at lower elevations below 4,000 feet will be of 1 to 3 inches, mostly late Thursday through Friday. Also forecast in the Santa Anas are strong southwest winds today, with gusts of 50 to 70 mph along the ridges and desert slopes. “A Winter Storm Warning for snow means severe winter weather conditions are expected. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency,” urged the NWS. Also in force in Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties — both inland and coastal areas — is a flash flood watch, from late tonight through tomorrow night. A high wind warning will be in effect until 10 a.m. in the Antelope Valley … while a less serious wind advisory will be in force until noon in the Santa Monica Recreational area and the Santa Clarita Valley. Southwest winds of 35- 35 miles per hour gusting to 65 mph will blow across the Antelope Valley while winds of 15 to 30 mph with gusts of up to 45 mph are expected in the Santa Monicas and the Santa Clarita Valley. “Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for operators of high- profile vehicles,” according to an NWS statement. 11/27/2019 Safety measures in place as major winter storm arrives in Southern California – San Bernardino Sun NEWSCRIME + PUBLIC SAFETY Safety measures in place as major winter storm arrives in Southern California By NATHANIEL PERCY || [email protected] || DailyDaily BreezeBreeze PUBLISHED: November 26, 2019 at 4:40 pm || UPDATED:UPDATED: November 26, 2019 at 9:10 pm https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/26/safety-measures-in-place-as-major-winter-storm-arrives-in-southern-california/ 1/6 11/27/2019 Safety measures in place as major winter storm arrives in Southern California – San Bernardino Sun Officials with the California Department of Transportation spent Tuesday preparing the Cajon Pass for the upcoming winter storm by deicing the roadways. It was one of several measures around the region undertaken to prepare for the rain, snow and cold, authorities said. Tanker trucks, filled with 4,000 gallons of water mixed with the deicing solution, traveledtraveled alongalong thethe middlemiddle laneslanes ofof thethe 1515 Freeway,Freeway, HighwayHighway 22 andand HighwayHighway 138,138, spraying the solution to make sure all lanes were covered, spokeswoman Terri Kasinga said. The solution helps to keep the road temperature higher and it helps to break up thethe iceice andand snowsnow thatthat accumulatesaccumulates onon thethe roadway,roadway, sheshe said.said. “When cars drive over, it helps break up the ice even more,” she said. Officials were hoping to avoid having to close down the Cajon Pass, instead relying on escorts and traffic breaks during the heaviest parts of the storm, Kasinga said. Officials planned to close a 13-mile stretch of Highway 2 between Grassy Hollow toto IslipIslip SaddleSaddle latelate TuesdayTuesday night,night, Nov.Nov. 26,26, untiluntil furtherfurther notice,notice, KasingaKasinga said.said. Motorists were advised to use the 15 Freeway or the 14 Freeway and connect with Highway 138 from the Los Angeles area. Caltrans District 8 @Caltrans8 Just de-icing SB I-15 in the Cajon Pass! Please be patient as we work in the area! #Caltrans8 91 11:47 AM - Nov 26, 2019 https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/26/safety-measures-in-place-as-major-winter-storm-arrives-in-southern-california/ 2/6 The California Highway Patrol also warned that the 5 Freeway in the Grapevine area northwestnorthwest ofof LosLos AngelesAngeles couldcould bebe closedclosed byby heavyheavy snow.snow. Potential detours were posted on the CHP Fort Tejon Facebook page and on Twitter. For updates check @CHPFortTejon on Twitter and @chpforttejon on Instagram. CHP Fort Tejon @CHPFortTejon POTENTIAL INTERSTATE 5 GRAPEVINE DETOURS Please share this map of alternate routes of travel if the #Grapevine closescloses duedue toto snow.snow. WeWe areare expectingexpecting snowsnow onon thethe Grapevine starting this Wednesday. 252 4:49 PM - Nov 25, 2019 226 people are talking about this This week’s storm, which officials said could bring heavy rain Wednesday and Thursday, was anticipated to bring one to two inches of rain through much of Southern California, as well as snow as low as elevations of 3,500 to 4,000 feet, according to the National Weather Service. The weather could affect upwards of an estimated 4.3 million local residents planning to travel more than 50 miles to celebrate Thanksgiving with family, according to the Auto Club of Southern California. https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/26/safety-measures-in-place-as-major-winter-storm-arrives-in-southern-california/ 3/6 11/27/2019 Safety measures in place as major winter storm arrives in Southern California – San Bernardino Sun Caltrans was also warning motorists traveling to higher elevations to have tire chains accessible. In Riverside County, officials had cameras set up in four areas affected by wildfires in the last two years, said Jason Uhley, general manager of the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. Emergency response agencies will have access to those camera feeds in order to provide immediate response to debris flows, mudslides and other weather-related emergencies, Uhley said. Cameras were set up near the Holy fire, Cranston fire, Reche fire and Tenaja fire burn areas, he said. The District also enhanced debris basins to collect potential debris flows in those burn scar areas, Uhley said. “The cameras were set up in those areas deemed the largest threats,” Uhley said, adding the District has resources in place in case of mudslides or debris flows. “Some of those areas are in their second year of healing, but we still expect when we have rain there’s going to be more runoff than normal,” he added. Riverside County officials Tuesday also performed helicopter patrols in riverbed areas to warn those who are homeless about the upcoming storm in an effort to get them to safety, said Shane Reichardt, spokesman for the Riverside County Emergency Management Department. Other fire departments, including in Los Angeles and Orange counties, were remaining in contact with the National Weather Service for updates on weather conditions. “Residents need to remain alert,” said Ken Kondo, spokesman for Los Angeles County Emergency Operations. “They need to be prepared and they also need to be sure to monitor the current weather conditions because they can constantly change.” Residents in Los Angeles County can do so by visiting ready.lacounty.gov, he said. Also Tuesday, the storm prompted Los Angeles city and county officials to begin opening emergency 24-hour winter shelters ahead of schedule. Both Winter Shelter Programs, which offer protection for homeless people during inclementinclement weather,weather, hadhad beenbeen scheduledscheduled toto openopen beginbegin Sunday.Sunday. https://www.sbsun.com/2019/11/26/safety-measures-in-place-as-major-winter-storm-arrives-in-southern-california/ 4/6 11/27/2019 Safety measures in place as major winter storm arrives in Southern California – San Bernardino Sun “Temperatures are getting significantly colder and it is going to get significantly wetter,” said Councilman Mike Bonin, who introduced an emergency motion Tuesday to move up the city shelters’ opening date. In Orange County, the Armory Emergency Shelter Program in Santa Ana and Fullerton will operate on a 24-hour basis through Friday morning to provide shelter for the homeless during the storm, the OC Health Care Agency announced.