Much of the Southland once again found itself in the grips of frigid weather this morning on what promises to be a cool, windy but sunny day.
A frost advisory was in force until 9 a.m. in the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area and the San Fernando, San Gabriel and Santa Clarita valleys. A more serious freeze warning is in effect to the north in Ventura County.
No frost advisories were issued for the San Gabriel Mountains and the Antelope valleys on grounds that these two areas always experience morning frost in the winter, making special advisories on such conditions unnecessary.
In L.A. County, “there will likely be at least two hours of temperatures at or just slightly above freezing,” a National Weather Statement said. “The coldest area will be in the extreme western San Fernando Valley,” where temperatures could briefly fall into the upper 20s early this morning, it said, adding that animals and sensitive vegetation should be brought indoors in such conditions.
The NWS blamed the frigid weather on a mass of cold air lurking behind a weak weather system and said gusty winds would slash the region, with the strongest buffeting southern Santa Barbara County, the Interstate 5 Corridor in the San Gabriel Mountains, and the western Antelope Valley.
A wind advisory will be in force until noon in Los Angeles County in the San Gabriel and Santa Monica mountains and the Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys. Forecasters expect those areas to be swept by north winds of between 20 and 30 miles per hour, gusting to between 40 and 50 mph, making driving difficult, especially for trucks and other high-profile vehicles.
Today’s temperature highs may be marginally higher that Monday’s but are mostly unlikely to rise above the low 60s, although skies will be sunny in contrast to Monday’s partly cloudy weather.
The NWS forecast highs today of 44 on Mount Wilson; 45 in Palmdale; 47 in Lancaster; 54 in Saugus; 57 in Avalon; 58 in Burbank; 59 in Pasadena and Woodland Hills; 60 in downtown L.A., Long Beach, San Gabriel, Laguna Beach, San Clemente, Mission Viejo and LAX; 61 in Newport Beach, Irvine and Yorba Linda; 62 in Fullerton; and 63 in Anaheim.
A warming trend, which will take temperatures a little higher into the 60s, is expected to get underway Wednesday. Also expected are sunny skies through Saturday, followed by partly cloudy skies Sunday and rain on Monday amid a temperature decrease. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, meanwhile, is reacting to the low temperatures by extending a cold weather alert through Friday.
“Children, the elderly and people with disabilities or special medical needs area especially vulnerable during such cold snaps. Extra precaution should be taken to ensure they don’t get too cold when they are outside,” said Los Angeles County’s interim health officer, Dr. Jeffrey Gunzenhauser. “There are places where people can go to stay warm, such as shelters or other public facilities.”
Gunzenhauser also warned against the use of stoves, barbecues or ovens to heat homes “due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.”
Information on temporary shelters can be found online at the health department’s website at www.lahsa.org. Click on the site’s “get help” tab, then “winter shelter.”
