BRR! Cold Winter Storm To Wash Over Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, CA — A winter storm is expected to move into the region Friday, dusting the local mountains with snow and bringing a slight chance of rain to the region. It's the first of a series of storms to wash over the region throughout the next week.

According to the National Weather Service, an upper-level low-pressure system will make its way into the Southland Friday, giving the region "very cool and unsettled weather" through the weekend. Daytimes highs in Los Angeles are expected to linger in the upper 50s over the weekend. The cool, wet weather comes just days after hot dry winds buffeted the region, fanning a series of brush fires in Los Angeles County. The storm isn't expected to bring much moisture to relieve the parched conditions across the Southland after an unusually dry fall.

"At this time, (forecasters) do not anticipate this system to have a lot of moisture to work with," according to the NWS. "So, rainfall totals will not be too impressive, with most areas receiving under one-quarter inch of rainfall, with local amounts up to around one-half inch across the San Gabriel Mountains."

But the cold system will give the mountains a taste of winter. The snow level is expected to drop to about 5,000 feet Friday, then down to 4,000 feet Friday night and Saturday.

"So there could be some winter weather issues for the mountain passes, including the Grapevine area," according to the NWS.

The unsettled nature of the storm system could also mean potential thunderstorms on Saturday.

Forecaster said the weather should be calm Saturday night into Sunday, but by Sunday afternoon, another storm system will make its way into the area, bringing more light rain across Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

"As for temperatures, expect a very cool weekend for all areas," forecasters said. "Afternoon temperatures will struggle in the 50s to lower 60s with cool overnight low temperatures."

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.