Video: Cold Storm Blankets Southern Calif. Hills With Snow
An unusually powerful winter storm brought snow to lower elevations across Southern California.
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The hills of Santa Clarita were blanketed in snow Saturday after a cold storm dropped snow at low elevations for hours overnight throughout Southern California. Video broadcast Saturday Feb. 25, 2023 on Today in LA
A late-February storm left behind an unusual sight Saturday in the Santa Clarita area.
Hills in the area north of Los Angeles were blanketed in snow after the cold storm dropped wintry precipitation at low elevations for hours overnight throughout Southern California.
A 20-mile stretch of the 14 Freeway was closed between Sand Canyon Road and Avenue S. It was not immediately clear when it will reopen.
"DO NOT ATTEMPT using canyon roads as alternates and limit travel," Caltrans tweeted Saturday morning.
Los Angeles County's mountains have been under a rare blizzard warning -- the first for the area in decades -- since Friday morning. The warning is schedule to expire Saturday evening.
Areas under the blizzard warning include, Mount Wilson, the Grapevine section of the 5 Freeway, Acton, Mount Pinos and Frazier Park. Travel is highly discouraged in Southern California's mountains.
Two to 5 feet of snow are expected above 5,000 feet by Saturday as the storm continues to hammer the region. Some areas could get as much as 7 feet.
Snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches are possible by Saturday night at elevations as low as 2,000 feet.
As of early Saturday, Bear Mountain Snow Summit received 45 inches of snow during the storm. Snow Valley received 32 to 36 inches, 26 inches were reported at Running Springs, and Lake Arrowhead received 23 inches.
NBCLA
A view of Lake Arrowhead Thursday March 2, 2023.
NBCLA
The roof of a grocery store collapsed Wednesday under the weight of snow that covered Southern California mountain communities.
A look at the San Gabriel mountains from orange groves in East Highland. Credit: Don Short
Snow on the mountains above Oxnard. Credit: Deidre
The San Gabriel mountains seen from orange groves in East Highland. Credit: Don Short
Dale HArvey
View of Soledad Canyon from a drone at Soledad Canyon TT RV park.
Mark Turner
Palm trees leading to snow capped San Gabriel Mountains.
Norma Quinones
The view from Cable Airport in Upland.
Janet Whaley
A juxtaposition of the iconic SoCal palm trees against the San Gabriel Mountains dusted with snow in February 2023.
Joe Pengelley
Snow in North Fontana.
Jason Rzucidlo
Three snowmen in front of the Super Target store in Hesperia.
Bob Ross
A rare snowman in La Cañada Flintridge.
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A view of the 5 Freeway north of Los Angeles after a February 2023 snowstorm.
Jodie Mena
A view of downtown Los Angeles Feb. 26, 2023.
Jodie Mena
A view of the Hollywood sign Feb. 26, 2023 with snowy mountains in the background.
KeyNews
A motorhome falls into the Santa Clara River in Valencia Saturday Feb. 25, 2023.
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Cars are stranded in water on the 5 Freeway in Sun Valley Saturday Feb. 25, 2023.
Ice, ice, icicles, baby. This is the scene in Big Bear. Credit: Stacy Horta
Steven Schreck
A downed tree in North Hills.
Gary S
Oak Glen Preserve blanketed in snow.
Sunrise in Anza. Credit: Kimberly Stansell
Snow in the Pine Cove and Idyllwild area. Credit: Roberta Hornsey
Mount Wilson Observatory
A view of snow Friday Feb. 24, 2023 at Mount Wilson Observatory.
A view of snow Friday Feb. 24, 2023 at Mount Wilson Observatory. Credit: Mount Wilson Observatory
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A view of the 5 Freeway in northern Los Angeles County Friday Feb. 24, 2023.
A person walks in the rain at Griffith Observatory on February 24, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
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An aerial view of a rare snowfall over homes in Yucaipa Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023.
A vehicle drives past a ‘chains required’ sign amid snowfall along a roadway in Los Angeles County, in the San Gabriel Mountains in Angeles National Forest, on February 24, 2023 near La Canada Flintridge, California.(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
A plow clears the road for travel on the Angeles Crest Highway during a blizzard in the San Gabriel Mountains in the Angeles National Forest, California, on February 24, 2023. (Photo by Allison Dinner / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON DINNER/AFP via Getty Images)
The 5 Freeway Grapevine section closed Feb. 24, 2023. Credit: NBCLA
Snowy scenes in Yucaipa. Credit: Nikki Baugh
Friends of Big Bear Valley
A view of the snow-covered Big Bear eagles nest Feb. 23, 2023.
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Youth revel in the rare snowfall in Yucaipa with a view of the San Bernardino County mountains, as the National Weather Service issues its first-ever blizzard warning for the mountains, following a similar warning for LA and Ventura counties. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Lanny B Lewis
Willow the dog enjoys a snow romp in Big Bear. Credit: Lanny B Lewis
A windmill is contrasted with the snow-covered San Bernardino mountains in Yucaipa Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
A jurassic scene unfolds at the Cabazon dinosaurs as snow from the recent cold storm covers the nearby moutains on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
A snowman stands as snow blankets the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County on February 23, 2023 near Claremont, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Snow falls above a restaurant in the San Gabriel Mountains, in San Bernardino County along the eastern border of Los Angeles County, on February 23, 2023 in Mount Baldy. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Snow flurries fall while tractor trailers and automobiles travel along Interstate 5 at the Tejon Pass along the Grapevine on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023 in Tejon Pass. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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People walk as snow blankets the town in the San Gabriel Mountains, in San Bernardino County along the border of Los Angeles County, on February 23, 2023 in Mount Baldy, California. A major storm, carrying a rare blizzard warning for parts of Southern California, is expected to deliver heavy snowfall to the mountains with some snowfall expected to reach lower elevations in L.A. County. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Mammoth Mountain
Snow in Mammoth Mountain
CLAREMONT, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 23: A storm front passes while dropping precipitation as snow blankets the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County on February 23, 2023 near Claremont, California. A major storm, carrying a rare blizzard warning for parts of Southern California, is expected to deliver heavy snowfall to the mountains with some snowfall expected to reach lower elevations in L.A. County. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Yucaipa, CA – February 23: A child runs through the falling snow amidst a rare Southern California snow storm while having a snowball fight with her brother at Yucaipa Community Park in Yucaipa Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. Southern California has only gotten a taste of the powerful winter storm system that forecasters say will bring an extended period of cold temperatures, high winds and snow, prompting the regions first blizzard warning on record. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
CULVER CITY, CA – FEBRUARY 23, 2023 – Pedestrians make their way through an afternoon downpour in Culver City on February 23, 2023. A powerful winter storm system that forecasters say will bring an extended period of cold temperatures, high winds and snow, prompting the regions first blizzard warning on record in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Eric Leonard / NBC4
Light snow capped the mountains of the Simi Valley.
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Storm clouds drift over the Long Beach International Gateway bridge on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023.
High winds blew sand inland, pelting walkers and skaters along Pier Plaza, in Hermosa Beach, CA, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
A child runs through the blowing sand and strong, gusty cold wind to the waters edge, where there were large waves and strong storm surge in Huntington Beach Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Riverside CA – February 23: A semi-truck overturned amidst intermittent rain on the 215 Freeway in Riverside Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023.. Southern California has only gotten a taste of the powerful winter storm system that forecasters say will bring an extended period of cold temperatures, high winds and snow, prompting the regions first blizzard warning on record.(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Ha Nguyen, right, and Hang Dinh, visitors from Vietnam, revel in the moment as they arrive at the beach amidst the blowing sand and gusty cold wind, big waves and strong storm surge in Huntington Beach Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA-FEBRUARY 23, 2023: Gus Bolton, 6, left, and his brother Darcy, 4, take in the view from the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon. They are from Manhattan Beach. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
A person takes in the scene of large, crashing waves, storm surge, blowing sand and strong, gusty cold wind at the waters edge under the Huntington Beach pier Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Storm clouds drift over Angels Gate Park in San Pedro on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Karan Randle
Cars crash in slippery conditions on the 10 Freeway Wednesday Feb. 23, 2023 in Yucaipa.
Yucaipa, CA – February 23: Katelynn Chavez, 17, and Pedro Ruiz, 16, take advantage of a rare snow day off school, hug after making a snowman amidst the rare sight of falling snow in Southern California at Yucaipa Community Park in Yucaipa with a view of the San Bernardino Mountains Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. The National Weather Service issued its first-ever blizzard warning for the San Bernardino County mountains, following a similar warning for Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Southern California has only gotten a taste of the powerful winter storm system that forecasters say will bring an extended period of cold temperatures, high winds and snow, prompting the regions first blizzard warning on record. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
CULVER CITY, CA – FEBRUARY 23, 2023 – Daz Lopez, 40, works out against a backdrop of downtown Los Angeles between storms as seen from the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlooks in Culver City on February 23, 2023. A powerful winter storm system that forecasters say will bring an extended period of cold temperatures, high winds and snow, prompting the regions first blizzard warning on record in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Ken York
Winter precipitation near the Hollywood sign.
Henry Pardo
Snow in the Banning Pass.
The storm fueled by an atmospheric river over the Pacific unleashed a torrent of precipitation once it reached Southern California. The rivers of moisture in the sky have contributed to some of the wettest winters and most destructive storms in state history.
Temperatures will be in the 40s and 50s in most of the area, although they will drop into the 30s in the mountains and some valley areas, particularly at night, and into the 20s in the Antelope Valley. High winds will make it feel even colder.
Snow update: Almost 7ft of snow at Mountain High! Obviously, travel is not recommended in the mountains in the short term. Roads are treacherous and visibility is very low. @nbclapic.twitter.com/6ZsTB4A5bO
