Feb. 17--After weeks of warm temperatures, Southern Californians finally could receive some winter-type weather late Wednesday as rain, snow and high winds sweep over the area.
The one-day system will be nowhere near as bitter as the icy storms blasting the East Coast, but it will bring 2 to 4 inches of snow to communities above 7,000 feet. That means snow could blanket mountain ski resorts.
Wednesday still starts off with sunny skies, but forecasters say looks can be deceiving.
As the day progresses, winds will develop, temperatures will be 15 to 20 degrees cooler than Tuesday and showers will move into the area, according to the National Weather Service. Rainy conditions are expected to stick around until Thursday morning.
"Very interesting day shaping up. ... Things will for sure change this afternoon," NWS meteorologist Andrew Rorke said in a weather statement.
The weak cold front will drop most of its moisture over Santa Barbara and Ventura counties Wednesday before moving into Los Angeles overnight. Nearly all of Los Angeles County could receive a sprinkling of rain, but it won't get as much as Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
"The front should be over L.A. County Thursday morning just in time to make the commute unfun," Rorke said.
Forecasters are expecting a quarter- to a half-inch of rain along the coast and valleys. The foothills and mountains could get up to 2 inches of rain.
Powerful winds topping 65 mph could blow through the mountains as well as the Antelope Valley on Wednesday night.
By Friday, the skies will be clear and dry. Temperatures are expected to soar again to 90 degrees by next week.
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