LOS ANGELES — The center of Southern California’s latest winter storm was staying well out to sea Monday and forecasters greatly scaled back the amount of rain and snow it could produce.
Related Story: Powerful Storm Pounds Southern California With Rain, Snow
Only light snowfall or flurries were seen in the high mountain passes north and east of Los Angeles, and Interstates 5 and 15 remained open.
The National Weather Service kept winter weather advisories in effect forthe Grapevine section of I-5 and the San Bernardino Mountains but it appeared the region would avoid a repeat of the holiday travel nightmare that occurred when a massive snowstorm hit on Christmas night.
Sunny Skies Predicted for New Year’s Day
“The upper low that at one point promised decent rain to the entire forecast area has tracked too far to the west to bring significant rain to any area save for the Central Coast.” — The National Weather Service
“The upper low that at one point promised decent rain to the entire forecast area has tracked too far to the west to bring significant rain to any area save for the Central Coast,” the weather service wrote.
With precipitation chances “fading like a cheap postcard,” attention was turning to offshore flow, the service said.
Moderate Santa Ana winds were expected to develop, gusting between 35 mph and 45 mph on the coast and in the valleys and reaching up to 55 mph in the mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Sunny skies were predicted for New Year’s Day.
