Dire Warnings Of Dangerous Conditions As Major Storm Front Moves Into SoCal

We are dealing with an exceptionally cold and windy storm that could drop snow in places we don’t normally see. Southern Californians already spent the night listening to gusty winds knock around trees and loose item in our yards.

The National Weather Service has been warning for days that this may be the coldest storm the region has seen in years. That cold air mass is heading in from British Columbia and it could mean we see a sprinkling of snow as low as 1,000 feet in places like the Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita and even Altadena.

The storm is an exceptionally gusty one as well, which we’ve already had a taste of with more to come. The NWS warns conditions in California waters will be outright dangerous, with waves along L.A. and Ventura counties reaching up to 16 feet tall.

The warnings are serious

Among the cautions from meteorologists:

• Whiteout and blizzard conditions are possible in the mountains, with an increased risk of avalanche.
• The strongest winds — 55 mph to 75 mph in mountains and foothills and 35 mph to 55 mph on the coast and valleys — expected overnight last night into today (Wed. Feb 22).
• In addition, mariners have been told to stay in port or risk capsizing.
• Beachgoers should beware oversized waves and strong rip tides.