Get Ready for a Cold, Stormy Monday

A cold storm is set to move into the region late Sunday, and should bring colder temperatures, gusty wind, rain and snow to some areas Monday, the National Weather Service forecast Saturday.

The storm may bring 2 to 5 inches of snow Monday to mountain areas at altitudes as low as 3,000 feet, according to the NWS. Forecasters hedged their bets, but said accumulations of between 8 and 12 inches were possible by Monday night.

Strong and potentially damaging winds are expected in deserts and mountain areas as well, the NWS said. Gusts of up to 75 miles per hour could be possible over mountain ridges through Monday night. This weather could be deadly for unprepared campers and hikers. The strong winds will result in dangerously cold windchill temperatures.

Travel through mountain passes could become dangerous as wind speeds increase, temperatures fall below freezing and roads become slippery, the NWS said. Visibility could be occasionally reduced to near zero in falling and blowing snow, the NWS said.

The chance of rain in Orange County on Monday ranges from 70 percent in Los Alamitos to 80 percent in Fountain Valley, Lake Forest, Aliso Viejo and Newport Beach, to 90 percent in Rancho Santa Margarita, Laguna Niguel and San Clemente.

Most of Orange County will see lows Monday night in the upper 30s.