Snowmaker storm of epic proportions moving into SoCal: ‘We’re getting the full brunt’
LA TimesStorm clouds drift over Angels Gate Park in San Pedro on Tuesday. “It’s bringing all of that cold air down to Southern California — we’re getting the full brunt,” said meteorologist David Sweet of the incoming system. Should forecasts manifest, the L.A. and Ventura County mountains could receive the “largest amount of 24- 48-hour snowfall seen in decades,” rivaling the winter storm in 1989, the weather service said. “This has been one of the coldest winters in many decades for a lot of places,” McEvoy said, “so the fact that we’re having another cold storm this winter is not that surprising, but the magnitude — and how the ingredients are setting up to impact Southern California especially — is looking pretty rare.” The low-pressure system originated off western Canada, he said. He added that State Route 33 had been closed since the atmospheric river storms in January, so those tempted to take that roadway to look at the snow can “save themselves a trip.” Referring to last fall’s seasonal outlook that called for another dry winter, McEvoy, the climatologist, said the moist system speaks to the challenges of long-term forecasting.