California weather — Flood and avalanches warning amid ‘life and death’ warning for homeless people
California’s first blizzard warning since 1989
Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet
Get our free Climate email
California weathered a punishing weekend of heavy snow, torrential rain and bitterly cold temperatures.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the conditions were posed “a matter of life or death for many of our unhoused neighbors,” and asked resident to help those without permanent shelter find emergency lodgings during the storm.
The storms triggered the state’s first blizzard warning since 1989 with record snowfall forecast in some high-elevation areas. Up to 8ft of snow was forecasted to fall in the mountains outside of Los Angeles on the storm’s second day. The National Weather Service warned that travel would be very difficult to impossible.
The storm also brought the threat of ocean water spouts and land-based tornadoes in the Los Angeles area of southeast Santa Barbara and southern Ventura counties.
A coast-to-coast winter storm pummeled much of the western and northern United States, styming travel plans and leaving nearly 1million people without power.
But the country was a landscape of climate extremes: While deep Arctic air caused temperatures to plummet as much as 30 to 40 degrees below average in parts of the West and Plains, the US also experienced its first 100-degree day of 2023. Falcon Lake in Texas hit 100F on Wednesday as temperature records were broken across the Southwest.
National Weather Service in Las Vegas warns Mojave-region travelers to expect ‘significant travel impacts’ on Sunday
The National Weather Service in Las Vegas predicts snow, rain, and heavy winds will disrupt travel in the Mojave Desert and Great Basin in Western Nevada, Arizona, and eastern California.
“A powerful winter storm will impact areas of the southern Great Basin and Mojave Desert through Sunday. Significant travel impacts expected with snow, wind, and rain. Check road conditions before departing, dial 511 in your state,” the agency said.
Footage shows snowboarder racing down snow-covered Napa Valley vineyard
California’s wine country was not spared from the reach of the winter storm on Friday and Saturday.
Although much of Napa Valley is barely above sea level, the famous wine producing region was blanketed with white during the early weekend.
A snowboarder took the opportunity to cruise down the slopes of a vineyard.
California Grapevine closed due to heavy snows
The Grapevine portion of California’s Interstate 5 has been closed early Saturday morning due to snow obstructions in the region.
The California Highway Patrol blocked entrance to the highway after overnight snowstorms made the roadway impassable. There’s no word yet on when the corridor will reopen.
Flood watch in Riverside County
The National Weather Service issued a floiod watch for Riverside County.
The winter storm that has dumped snow, hail, and heavy rains across California will continue churning inland, but not before dumping more water.
The flood watch in Riverside County and the San Gorgonio Pass near Banning will be in effect through Saturday night
California storms ‘a matter of life and death’ for homeless, LA mayor warns, as winds and rain lash region
Winter weather pounded much of California on Friday and Saturday, and more is on the way, prompting concerns for the unhoused population in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles County responded to the storm by issuing its first blizzard warning since 4 February 1989.
The city of Los Angeles saw heavy winds, rain, and hail on Friday and Saturday. The mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, advised city residents to help individuals without permanent shelter find lodgings for the duration of the storm.
“This storm is a matter of life or death for many of our unhoused neighbors,” she wrote on Twitter. “If you know someone who is unhoused or if you see tents near you — help them find shelter. We can all play a role in helping Angelenos come inside.”
Strong winds, snow, heavy rains, and flooding will continue to be a concern throughout the west over the weekend as the storm travels inland.
Read more:
California storms threaten homeless, LA mayor warns, as winds and rain lash region
The storm drove low temperatures to near records in some portions of California and even stirred up a weak tornado near Los Angeles
Thanks for following
That ends The Independent’s live coverage of the winter storms in California. Stay with The Independent for more breaking news.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies