Residents in Southern California are being advised to brace for unusually cold weather, as forecasts indicate plummeting temperatures across the region. Beginning on January 7th, a significant chill is expected to sweep across both southern and central parts of the state. According to the National Weather Service, certain areas might experience freezing conditions as early as Monday night, continuing into Tuesday.
This unexpected drop in temperature is attributed to a cold air mass, a remnant of a Canadian low-pressure system that recently traversed the state. “We’re seeing residual cold air that’s expected to intensify tonight and into tomorrow morning,” said Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, in an interview with The Epoch Times.
In central California, specifically within San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, officials have issued a “hard freeze” warning. Temperatures could plummet to around 25 degrees in these areas, posing a risk of freezing and bursting outdoor irrigation pipes. In the more southern regions, like Los Angeles and Ventura counties, the forecast suggests temperatures might range from 30 to 40 degrees.
More extreme conditions are expected in the high desert locales of Lancaster and Palmdale, as well as certain mountainous areas, where temperatures could fall between 18 to 25 degrees — well below the freezing point.
Additionally, the National Weather Service has alerted the public about potential wind and rain in southwest California, particularly on Wednesday and Thursday. Mountain regions, foothills, and southwest Santa Barbara County should be prepared for strong, potentially damaging winds, with gusts reaching up to 70 miles per hour. In coastal and valley areas, wind speeds might vary between 30 to 50 miles per hour. The advisory also indicates the possibility of light rain.
Moreover, snowfall is anticipated in mountainous areas, notably around the Grapevine and Tejon Pass, with an estimated accumulation of around 1 inch. This could lead to challenging driving conditions and potential delays, especially on Wednesday and Thursday. Travelers are advised to exercise caution and consider carrying winter emergency supplies to deal with potential road closures and delays.
