New Winter Storm Warning Calling for Heavy Snow, 70 mph Winds

Heavy snow and serious winds are expected in parts of Southern California overnight into Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

The NWS has issued a Winter Storm Warning for various areas in SoCal. Residents must be prepared for up to a foot of snow in some locations, with winds gusting up to 70 mph.

Which areas are under a Winter Storm Warning?

According to the NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard outpost, the following territories are under a Winter Storm Warning until 7 a.m. local time tomorrow.

• Interstate 5 Corridor, Santa Barbara County Interior Mountains, and Southern Ventura County Mountains.
• Eastern Antelope Valley Foothills, western Antelope Valley Foothills, and western San Gabriel Mountains and Highway 14 Corridor.
• Eastern San Gabriel Mountains and northern Ventura County Mountains.

Heavy snow is expected in all of those locations, with higher elevations seeing 12 inches or more of white stuff.

"Roads, especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous," the NWS said. "Travel could become treacherous. Visibilities may drop below one-quarter mile due to falling and blowing snow. Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines."

San Bernardino, Riverside County Mountain areas also affected

Southern California's mountain communities have been hit hard already this week, with more snow on the way.

On Wednesday, a Wrightwood, California resident provided insight to a local media outlet on what he and his neighbors have been dealing with.

“About 4:40 a.m., I woke up to [something that sounded] like an earthquake and a crash…I looked over and there’s a tree next to my bed,” Wrightwood resident Will Barr told KTLA 5. “Pretty rough to wake up to an alarm clock like this. It almost landed on top of me…like three feet from my bed.”

According to the latest from the NWS, the San Bernardino Mountains, including the cities of Wrightwood, Crestline, Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear Lake, Running Springs, and Big Bear City are under a Winter Storm Warning until 9 a.m. Friday. The same can be said for the Riverside County Mountains and surrounding areas.

"Travel could be very difficult," said the NWS, which is projecting 60-65 mph winds and up to 11 inches of snow. "The hazardous conditions could impact this evening's and Friday morning's commutes. Strong winds could cause tree damage."

Preparing for a winter storm

If you're in the areas covered by these winter storm warnings, or are elsewhere in America getting ready for inclement weather, there are some things you should do ahead of time.

Kristin Canning, Men's Journal's Special Projects Editor, recently put together a checklist to stocking your home for a winter storm. Her advice includes:

• Protect Your Home From Blowing Snow and Ice
• Pack an Emergency Kit for Your House
• Set up an Alternate Heating Source
• Build an Emergency Kit for Your Car
• Look up Local Warming Centers

To read Canning's entire post, click here.