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Blizzard warnings. Whiteout watches. Avalanche threats. The alerts are startlingly unusual for Southern California, a region typically defined by its sunshine, palm trees and temperate weather.

But Los Angeles and other nearby counties are bracing for a snowstorm unlike any seen in decades — or possibly ever.

“This could be really substantial,” UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain said. “In fact, it could be a historically significant snowfall for parts of the Southern California mountains. This well may be the largest single-event snowfall in some parts of Southern California since the 1980s. This is a big deal.”

The storm, which has already made a mess of conditions in some parts of Northern California, is expected to gain strength as it arrives in Southern California early Friday.

The “highly dynamic” system will likely bring heavy rain, strong winds, thunderstorms and potential localized flooding to areas in and around Los Angeles, Swain said. In the L.A. and Ventura county mountains, snow levels could be as low as 1,500 feet — roughly the elevation of the Hollywood sign, where residents reported that a wintry mix had already landed Thursday afternoon.

“It’s a very rare event,” said Jeff Zarrinnam, chairman of the Hollywood Sign Trust, who made a snowball beneath the world-renowned landmark.

Feb. 23, 2023

Though the storm is unusual, it’s not the first time Southern California has seen snow.

Similar wintry conditions occurred in 1989 — the first and only other time the weather service issued a blizzard warning in the L.A. area — back when Tom Bradley was L.A. mayor and gasoline sold for about $1 a gallon. That storm dropped up to 5 inches in parts of the San Fernando and Simi valleys, and snow was reported “from the hillsides of Malibu to the streets at Palm Springs,” The Times reported at the time.

Snow also made appearances in 2019, 2007, 1998, 1987 and 1974, according to Times archives. In 1962, heavy snow fell in the mountains and high deserts and dusted parts of downtown and West Los Angeles before melting quickly.

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Perhaps the most famous snowstorm was in January 1949, when several inches piled up in the region over several days. Times articles from that time described 14 inches of snow on Ventura Boulevard near Woodland Hills, a foot in Laurel Canyon and light flurries around the L.A. Civic Center.

“The Times’ switchboard received numerous calls from residents in all parts of the city reporting what they described as winter scenes ‘just like back east,’” one story from 1949 read.

What makes the current system so noteworthy, however, are the potential snowfall totals in the mountains around Los Angeles, which could exceed 3 or 4 feet over a 48-hour period, or even reach as much as 8 feet on high mountain peaks. The forecast is so significant that the Mt. Baldy Resort, which most winters doesn’t get enough snow to operate all of its runs, has closed its slopes.

“A big storm system is in route to the area,” resort officials wrote in a post on Instagram. “Not only is it big, some are calling it a potential national record setter.”

Forecasters say nearly 100 inches of fresh powder could fall on Mt. Baldy and other high-elevation areas. Even places that don’t normally see snow should get some powder, including up to 12 inches at elevations between 2,500 and 4,000 feet, and up to 4 inches at elevations between 1,500 and 2,500 feet.

The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings from 4 a.m. Friday to 4 p.m. Saturday in the Ventura, Los Angeles and San Bernardino county mountains, where heavy snow, strong wind gusts and “near zero visibility” are likely. A flood watch is also in effect in portions of Santa Barbara and Los Angeles until Saturday, with peak rain rates of 0.75 of an inch per hour possible.

“What is really kind of astonishing are the snow totals that are projected for the Southern California mountains and the southern Sierra Nevada,” Swain said.

Climatologist William Patzert said several factors must come together for such a rare occurrence in Los Angeles.

Though many winter storms travel down the spine of the Sierra and lose their moisture by the time they reach Southern California, the incoming low-pressure system is moving down off the coast of Canada, where it is loading up with Pacific moisture, he said.

The cold temperatures and strong, moist winds coming off the Pacific “are the ingredients for blizzards for California,” Patzert said.

He said this winter’s unusual pattern of “extreme volatility” could be linked to swings in the jet stream that started around December. The jet stream is the air current in the upper level of the atmosphere that guides weather systems across the globe.

Feb. 23, 2023

The National Weather Service is advising residents to avoid travel during the storm and to be prepared for potential power outages, downed trees and other hazards, including an increased threat of avalanches.

Though some Angelenos may be tempted to travel to mountain areas to seek out the snow, Swain warned that it’s probably best to stay home.

“This is not a weekend you’re going to be able to go up and ski — no one is going to be able to get in or out, potentially for days,” he said. “If you live up there, be prepared for a phenomenal amount of snow. And if you don’t live up there, realize you’re not going to be getting up there.”

Patzert noted that while the storms could pose immediate hazards, they will probably be beneficial for drought recovery, after several years of prolonged dryness.

“In the short term it’s dangerous, but in the long term, we really needed this,” Patzert said.

“February,” he added, “came in like a lamb, but it’s going out like a lion.”

Times staff writer Terry Castleman and researchers Scott Wilson and Cary Schneider contributed to this report.

A person walks barefoot through an empty Venice Beach Boardwalk as a winter storm hits Los Angeles, California, on February 24, 2023.

Mike Blake | Reuters

Nearly 85,000 households and businesses were without power in the Los Angeles area on Saturday, as storms continued to pummel parts of California, bringing snow to higher elevations and dumping rain and hail in the flatlands.

Interstate 5, the largest highway leading north out of the city, remained closed at the steep grade known as the Grapevine due to heavy snow, while several more southern points of the freeway in and around Los Angeles were closed due to flooding, the California Department of Transportation said.

In Northern California, San Francisco was expected to experience record cold temperatures on Saturday, and the National Weather Service warned residents of the state capital of Sacramento to avoid travel from Sunday through Wednesday as rain and snow started up again after a reprieve on Saturday.

“Extreme impacts from heavy snow & winds will cause extremely dangerous to impossible driving conditions & likely widespread road closures & infrastructure impacts!” the agency said on Twitter.

The next set of storms, expected to hit on Sunday, will bring wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour (80 kph) in the Sacramento Valley, and up to 70 miles per hour in the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains. Yosemite National Park was closed through Wednesday due to severe winter conditions.

A massive low-pressure system driven from the Arctic was responsible for the unusual conditions, said Bryan Jackson, a forecaster at the NWS Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland.

In Southern California, “this is a rare case of a cold, significant storm event,” Jackson said.

In a sight that must have delighted many Angelenos on Friday, snowflakes even fell around the Hollywood sign atop Mount Lee in the hills above the city, known for its sunny days and palm trees.

On Saturday, scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms were expected to bring rain, hail and a mixture of snow and moisture called “graupel” to the area, the National Weather Service said.

A separate storm that clobbered the U.S. Plains, Midwest and Great Lakes regions earlier this week blew out to the Atlantic on Friday after passing over New England, the weather service said. More than 400,000 customers of Detroit based DTE Energy remained without power on Saturday, the Detroit News reported.

Even before the latest storm, much of California had experienced an unusually rainy, chilly winter, starting with a spate of deadly “atmospheric river” storms that unleashed widespread flooding, felled trees and triggered mudslides in a state long plagued by drought and wildfires.

This story recaps the forecast and weather on Feb. 22. Check our latest weather forecast for Thursday, Feb. 23.

Blizzards and winter weather are overtaking parts of Southern California, a region most known for its inviting weather.

Snow and freezing temperatures are expected throughout much of the state over the next few days, with advisories in effect in the Bay Area near San Francisco and further north through to the state line, according to the National Weather Service.

Californians join the more than 20 million Americans under winter storm warnings and 35 million people across the country under winter weather advisories this week, according to NWS.

Here’s what you need to know about California’s winter weather.

Unsheltered people brace for storm:LA homeless advocates rush to help those on the streets as winter storm nears

Blizzard warnings in the mountains over Los Angeles

Los Angeles and Ventura County residents living in mountains above the city of Los Angeles were advised to travel only for emergencies Wednesday morning as the area expected wind gusts up to 75 mph to whip in heavy snow and virtually eliminate any visibility. The blizzard and winter storm warnings, in effect until Saturday afternoon morning, said 2 to 7 feet of snow was expected to accumulate by Saturday night, with up to 12 inches at higher elevations.

Some areas also expected rains on Thursday and Friday. The Los Angeles NWS said Wednesday it knew of only one other blizzard warning issued for the area, in 1989.

Light snow had begun to fall on the Interstate 5 Grapevine mountain pass connecting the Los Angeles area to central California, the weather service said.

Winter weather and winter storm advisories were also in effect for San Bernardino and Riverside counties further inland from Los Angeles, and for parts of San Diego county further south.

California drought eased?:Before and after photos show recovery at drought-stricken California reservoir

Freeze warning in San Francisco Bay area

Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 20 degrees were expected in some parts of the Bay Area along with wind gusts up to 50 mph, the NWS said.

Freeze warnings were expected to remain in effect until 9 a.m. Thursday.

Residents were advised to move vulnerable plants and pets indoors to protect them from the freezing temperatures, and to prevent any outdoor pipes from bursting by draining them.

Most of Northern California under severe weather advisories

Eureka, Redding, Chico and other communities in northern California were all under winter storm, winter weather watches or advisories Wednesday.

NWS said all of northwestern California expected hail and light to heavy snow from Tuesday night through Thursday.

Power outages across California amid strong winds

Close to 100,000 customers were without power in California Wednesday morning, according to PowerOutage.Us, as parts of the state contended with strong winds.

The Pacific Gas and Electric Company said Tuesday night it would mobilize personnel to prepare from outages resulting from poor weather conditions.

California power outage tracker:Over 110,000 customers without power as strong winds hit

US weather watches and warnings

Contributing: Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY

By Max Matza

BBC News, Seattle

Parts of usually balmy southern California are under their first blizzard warning since 1989.

The winter storm that started rolling into the Golden State on Thursday will start to intensify on Friday.

A massive storm has already brought major blizzards and temperatures far below freezing to much of the northern US.

The cold snap comes as parts of the US southeast basked in a record-breaking heat wave.

California Highway Patrol near LA closed part of the state's longest interstate - Interstate 5 - due to unsafe roadways, forcing heavier traffic onto Highway 101.

Forecasters are predicting snowfall of up to an incredible 8ft (2.4m) in mountains to the north and east of Los Angeles by Saturday.

The mountains are expected to experience powerful winds of 60-75mph (96-120 km/h) while coastal areas may experience flooding.

The icy weather front stretches along the entire US West Coast, as well as the Canadian province of British Columbia.

The winter storm warning is in effect for the coastal Ventura County mountains and Los Angeles County mountains from early Friday through Saturday, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

Snowfall of up to 5ft is also possible on the mountain peaks around the city of Santa Barbara.

The NWS said that the heavy snow will be accompanied by high winds and near-zero visibility and California residents are advised to stay home if they don't have to leave.

A weak tornado touched down in southeast Los Angeles county on Thursday, toppling some trees.

And the NWS has warned of waterspouts, or small tornadoes, touching down along the central coast.

Nearly 1,000 flight cancellations were reported across the US as of Friday morning.

"I have to be totally honest with you guys," one baffled California meteorologist told viewers this week. "I've actually never seen a blizzard warning."

"Multiple rounds" of snow are forecast to blanket the southern Sierra Nevada mountains in central and western parts of the state.

There will be "dangerous avalanche conditions" across the Sierra Nevada, according to the Sierra Avalanche Center.

On Thursday, schools in the state's far northwest closed due to the unusual weather.

"This is the first snow day we have had in the 31 years I have been with the district," Jeff Napier, an official with the Del Norte County Schools District, told the Los Angeles Times.

Lower elevation parts of southern California may also experience snow, in addition to rain, as the storm moves south over the weekend, forecasters say.

The snow elevation may drop as low as 1,500ft - about as high as the famed sign in the Hollywood hills.

Elsewhere in the US the cold snap has forced schools, businesses and some state legislatures to close.

Portland, Oregon, had nearly 11in (28cm) of snowfall by overnight into Thursday morning, the NWS reported, its second snowiest day ever recorded.

The storm led to the death in Michigan of a volunteer firefighter, who reportedly came into contact with a downed powerline.

Officials in Oregon are also investigating a suspected hypothermia death that they say may be related to the storm.

High winds uprooted a massive redwood tree, which fell into a home in California's Bay Area, leaving a one-year-old child in critical condition in hospital.

Across five states, hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses have been without power. More than 700,000 people in Michigan and 120,000 in California still do not have power as of early Friday morning.

Meanwhile, temperatures in Washington DC hit 81F (27C) on Thursday, a February high not seen since 1874.

More storms are expected to roll through California early next week.

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“All systems go for a major and unusual storm,” the National Weather Service said in its forecast on Wednesday.

The powerful winter storm moving through California is expected to drop heaps of rain, sleet and snow across much of the state, including Southern California, where several feet of fresh powder could fall in the mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties at elevations as low as 1,500 feet Thursday into Friday.

The event is unusual even in a winter of unusual events, climate experts say. The state already defied forecasts for a dry winter driven by La Niña when a series of nine atmospheric river storms pummeled California in January — the wettest three-week period on record, according to state officials.

Now, portions of Los Angeles and Ventura counties are under a blizzard warning — only the second such warning ever the weather service is aware of. Should forecasts manifest, the mountain areas could receive the “largest amount of 24- [to] 48-hour snowfall seen in decades,” rivaling a winter storm in 1989, forecasters said.

Daniel McEvoy, a regional climatologist with Western Regional Climate Center, said the rare system is part of a larger-scale circulation pattern in the Western U.S. that has been in place through much of winter and has locked in a lot of cold air.

“This has been one of the coldest winters in many decades for a lot of places,” McEvoy said. “The fact that we’re having another cold storm this winter is not that surprising, but the magnitude — and how the ingredients are setting up to impact Southern California especially — is looking pretty rare.”

The system is being driven by an area of low pressure off the coast of California that is slowly moving south from Canada, he said. Within that main system are multiple “waves of energy” due to the flow of the jet stream, or the air currents in the upper level of the atmosphere that guide weather systems across the globe.

Though it is not like the “classic” atmospheric rivers that hit the state in late December and early January, the system will connect with moisture over the Pacific as it moves through California, signaling heavy rain and snow.

“The forecast has a lot of snow, and snow at really low elevations, as opposed to the storms that we saw in early January that had a completely different flow where the jet stream was coming from the west, or even the south, and bringing up warmer air, which led to really high snow levels during that series of storms,” he said.

The effects of the storm are expected to be wide-ranging and potentially dangerous, including road closures, power outages, downed trees and other hazards. Residents are being advised to avoid travel during the brunt of the storm unless absolutely necessary.

Though Southern California will feel some impacts, it’s far from the only part of the state bracing for snowy weather, with winter storm warnings in areas ranging from the Oregon border to Mexico.

“This is a rare setup for us,” said Brayden Murdock, a meteorologist with the weather service in the San Francisco Bay Area. “If this whole system was pushed a little more off to the east, it probably would have been more of a dry, strong wind event, but since it gets the opportunity to interact with the Pacific, that’s why we’re getting all this moisture on top of it.”

Indeed, it was only months ago when forecasters called for a drier-than-normal winter driven largely by La Niña, a climate pattern in the tropical Pacific.

Feb. 22, 2023

But La Niña is transitioning into a more neutral pattern, said National Weather Service meteorologist Lisa Phillips. The latest seasonal outlook issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration now shows equal chances of wetness or dryness in almost all of California through May.

McEvoy, the climatologist, said the moist system speaks to the challenges of long-term forecasting. Since about November, the jet stream has been digging out an area of low pressure that has been persistent over much of the West Coast, he said.

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“The atmosphere has gotten locked into this pattern this winter, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to be breaking anytime soon,” he said.

David Sweet, a meteorologist with the weather service in Oxnard, called it a “complex and complicated scenario.”

“It’s bringing all of that cold air down to Southern California; we’re getting the full brunt,” Sweet said.

“It’s got the cold air, it’s got the moisture, it’s got strong winds,” he added. “It’s an ideal situation for a big weather maker with huge impacts.”

Temperatures were expected to be as much as 20 degrees below normal, and by Wednesday afternoon, snow was already starting to fall in portions of the Antelope Valley, while hail was pounding the pavement in Highland Park and Pasadena. Residents reported a dusting of snow in La Crescenta, and 50-mph gusts battered Thousand Oaks and Agoura.

The biggest effects will be Thursday through Saturday, when Southern California could see several feet of fresh powder in the mountains around Los Angeles.