Special Weather Statement Heavy Snow and Rain Into Christmas

Special weather message
detailed description     urgent - winter weather message ...Winter storm warning in effect for the higher mountains of Ventura and Los Angeles counties... .

A strong winter storm will affect central and southern California today into Christmas day. Significant precipitation and strong south to southeast winds are expected with this storm system as it passes through the region. Snow levels will begin at 5000 feet today...But are expected to rise slightly tonight to around 5500 feet due to the southerly flow.

Most of the significant snowfall with this system is expected to occur above 6000 feet...Which could see between 1 and 2 feet across most resort areas. Local snowfall totals up to 3 feet will be possible at the highest elevations of the Ventura and Los Angeles county mountains. Along with the snowfall...Strong southeast winds of 30 to 45 mph with gusts to 70 mph are expected. This is a potentially dangerous winter storm for the higher mountain elevations...With travel to the mountains discouraged from this afternoon through Christmas day.

The combination of significant snowfall and very strong winds will create dangerous whiteout conditions with visibilities near zero at times...Especially from late this afternoon through tonight. While the snow level is initially expected to remain above the grapevine level...

The very strong winds will still create a potential hazard for motorists on interstate 5. By late afternoon or early evening Christmas day...The snow level is expected to lower significantly... Bringing potential snow accumulation across the interstate 5 corridor near the grapevine. Ventura county mountains- Los Angeles county mountains excluding the Santa Monica range- 423 am PST wed Dec 24 2008 ...

Winter storm warning now in effect from 10 am this morning to 4 pm PST Thursday... The winter storm warning is now in effect from 10 am this morning to 4 pm PST Thursday. Light precipitation will affect the mountains this morning...Then the precipitation will increase this afternoon and tonight...Then turn to showers on Thursday. The heaviest precipitation is expected late this afternoon and tonight. Significant snowfall of 1 to 2 feet is expected at the resort levels above 6000 feet...With local amounts up to 3 feet at the highest elevations. In addition to the snowfall...

Strong south to southeast winds of 30 to 45 mph with gusts to 70 mph can be expected across the mountains mainly from this afternoon through tonight. The combination of significant snowfall and strong winds will produce dangerous winter storm conditions across the mountains of Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

There will likely be dangerous whiteout conditions with visibilities near zero at times mainly from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday night. A winter storm warning for heavy snow means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Significant amounts of snow are forecast that will make travel dangerous.

Only travel in an emergency. If you must travel...Keep an extra flashlight... Food... And water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

gdh-hinghamwx-observer

Gary Hall, the ghostpainter