A section of the 5 Freeway north of Los Angeles is closed Monday morning due to potentially dangerous travel conditions caused by ice, wind and snow.
The major north-south route through California's Central Valley was closed early Monday after weather conditions continued to case problems overnight. The southbound side of the road was closed at Grapevine Road. The northbound side of the road reopened at Parker Road as California Highway Patrol officers escorted drivers through the area, about 200 at a time.
The snow level is expected to descend to between 2,000 and 2,500 feet this morning, with moderate snowfall expected on north slopes in the San Gabriels and in the northwestern corner of the Antelope Valley. Up to eight inches could accumulate in the northwest foothills in the Antelope Valley, and between three and seven inches could pile up on the 5 Freeway near Gorman and The Grapevine amid icy conditions and winds blowing at between 25 and 40 miles per hour and gusting at 60 mph.
There was no estimate when the freeway would be reopened
A winter storm warning denoting dangerous travel conditions was scheduled to be in effect in the San Gabriels and the Antelope Valley until noon.
A wind advisory also will be in effect until noon in the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys. In both areas, winds of 15-25 mph were expected, along with 35 mph gusts. Also in force was a high surf advisory, which will be in effect in Los Angeles County until 2 a.m. Tuesday and in Orange County until 3 a.m.
Dangerous driving conditions are also expected in the Antelope Valley, including on Pearblossom (SR 138) Highway, amid snowfall and winds of between 30 and 45 mph, gusting to 65 mph, it said.
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In the San Gabriels above the 6,000-foot level, between one and two feet of snow are expected, with six to 12 inches expected on north slopes between 4,000 and 6,000 feet, and two to four inches at 3,000 feet, the NWS statement said.
The storm began generating rain Saturday night. This morning, 21,000 customers served by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power were without power, while 70,000 Southern California Edison customers were reported to be on the dark. The numbers had been even higher earlier.
Off the coast, "very strong" west-to-northwest winds were blowing this morning, with the NWS reporting winds of between 30 and 46 knots, gusting to 45 kph through this morning. Seas of up to 19 feet were expected in the outer waters, it said. A gale warning will be in force until 2 p.m. Tuesday.
In these conditions, "it is highly recommended that mariners without the proper experience seek safe harbor before the onset of gale conditions," a statement said.
