Snow In Malibu, Hail In Long Beach And Much More Rain To Come

MALIBU, CA — A surprisingly intense winter storm dusted Malibu with a rare coat of snow Saturday, pelted Long Beach with pea-sized hail and cracked lightning and thunder across the Southland. After mother nature was done showing off, residents awoke Sunday to the rare sight of snow in the foothills with more in the forecast through Monday.

The snow in Malibu Saturday evening caught locals and the California Highway Patrol by surprise. After decades without snow in Malibu, it was the second time in two years that the local hills were dusted with the white stuff. As drivers pulled over along Malibu Canyon Road to make snow angels, the CHP issued a warning advising against it. After an unusually dry fall, the CHP sent out a sassy tweet asking drivers to slow down on the rain and snow-slicked roads.

The winter weather is just getting started across the Southland. A second system moving in late Sunday is also expected to bring unusually cool temperatures, and a mid-week storm is forecast to bring several feet of the snow to the local mountains and an intense soaking to Los Angeles and Orange counties as an atmospheric river moves through. At least three storms are forecast to hi the region over the next week.

According to the National Weather Service, the next storm moving in Sunday night through Monday will also bring unusually cool temperatures and a chance of snow as low as 1500 feet.

The NWS forecast "very cold storm with strong winds Sunday night through Monday evening," with "snow levels lowering to 1500-2000 feet by Monday. Potential for significant travel impacts, including (the) I-5 corridor."

The forecast called for 2-4 inches of snow at pass level including the I-5 corridor, 4-8 inches above 4500 feet, 1-2 inches in the Antelope Valley especially foothills.

The update said widespread strong winds were possible Monday, "including widespread gales for coastal waters" and "widespread very choppy high surf expected on Monday with potential for minor coastal flooding."

Rainfall totals of 0.2-0.5 inches were possible at lower elevations with 1/4 to 1/2 inches in the foothills and mountains.

The National Weather Service warned that the Wednesday night through Friday storm "will bring the most significant precipitation to the forecast area with plenty of snow in the mountains expected. High temperatures will remain cooler than normal through next week."

The NWS update warned that it will likely be slow-moving, with a subtropical moisture source known as an Atmospheric River.

"In addition, if heavy rain rates do occur, there will be a risk of debris flows in recent burn areas ... as well as a significant risk for rockslides on mountain and canyon roadways, as well as roadway flooding."

Saturday's rain and the forecast of cold temperatures prompted the Los Angeles County Health Officer to extend a Cold Weather Alert. "Wind chill temperatures are expected to be below 32 degrees Fahrenheit," the alert said. That was to include the Antelope Valley and Los Angeles County mountain areas through Thursday, Santa Clarita Valley Monday through Tuesday and Santa Monica Mountains Tuesday.

"Children, the elderly, and people with disabilities or special medical needs are especially vulnerable during cold weather. Extra precaution should be taken to ensure they don't get too cold when they are outside," said Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County Health Officer. "There are places where people can go to stay warm, such as shelters or other public facilities. We also want to remind people not to use stoves, barbecues or ovens to heat their homes due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning."

The statement suggested that people dress in layers of warm clothing outdoors; protect head, hands and feet from the cold by wearing a hat, scarf, gloves and socks; and bring pets indoors especially at night.

The county's Winter Shelter Program was open to serve those without housing. Those in need, should call the L.A. County Information line at 211.

The initial front moving through the region Saturday did not bring much moisture, with light rain falling in most areas of Los Angeles County.

Saturday night brought one-tenth to two-tenths of an inch of rain in Los Angeles County, with up to one-third of an inch in the mountains.

About one-third of an inch of snow was expected in local mountain areas above 3,500 feet, with an inch falling across the Tejon Pass through the I-5 corridor, while the resorts in the eastern San Gabriel Mountains anticipated 2-3 inches through, according to the NWS.

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