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As it happenedended1677353607

California weather — Flood and avalanches warning amid ‘life and death’ warning for homeless people

California’s first blizzard warning since 1989

Louise Boyle,Graeme Massie
Saturday 25 February 2023 19:33 GMT
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Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

California weathered a punishing weekend of heavy snow, torrential rain and bitterly cold temperatures.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the conditions were posed “a matter of life or death for many of our unhoused neighbors,” and asked resident to help those without permanent shelter find emergency lodgings during the storm.

The storms triggered the state’s first blizzard warning since 1989 with record snowfall forecast in some high-elevation areas. Up to 8ft of snow was forecasted to fall in the mountains outside of Los Angeles on the storm’s second day. The National Weather Service warned that travel would be very difficult to impossible.

The storm also brought the threat of ocean water spouts and land-based tornadoes in the Los Angeles area of southeast Santa Barbara and southern Ventura counties.

A coast-to-coast winter storm pummeled much of the western and northern United States, styming travel plans and leaving nearly 1million people without power.

But the country was a landscape of climate extremes: While deep Arctic air caused temperatures to plummet as much as 30 to 40 degrees below average in parts of the West and Plains, the US also experienced its first 100-degree day of 2023. Falcon Lake in Texas hit 100F on Wednesday as temperature records were broken across the Southwest.

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Flash flood warning for Santa Barbara

“Flash Flood Warning including Simi Valley CA, Santa Barbara CA and Lompoc CA until 10:00 PM PST” tweeted the National Weather Service Los Angeles on Friday afternoon.

Graeme Massie25 February 2023 00:05
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Heavy rain continues to slam California

Traffic makes its way along interstate 5 during a rainstorm Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, in Santa Clarita, Calif. California and other parts of the West faced heavy snow and rain Friday from the latest winter storm to pound the US.

(AP)
Graeme Massie25 February 2023 00:31
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More than 100,000 without power in California

As of 4.30pm PT there were 101,146 customers in California without power, according to poweroutage.us.

Graeme Massie25 February 2023 00:35
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Six million people under flash flood warning in LA County

The warning will stay in place until 10pm on Friday.

“A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for interior portions of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties through 10pm TONIGHT. Heavy rain will likely continue through much of the day with additional rainfall of 2 to 5 inches possible,” tweeted NWSLA.

Graeme Massie25 February 2023 01:02
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Southern California shivers in blizzard conditions as tornadoes threaten LA and 114,000 without power

The state had its first blizzard warning since 1989.

Graeme Massie25 February 2023 01:45
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LAFC game against Galaxy rescheduled

The match, which was due to be played at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, will now take place on 4 July at the same iconic venue.

Graeme Massie25 February 2023 02:02
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LAPD says three traffic deaths so far during storm

“Roads are very wet, with large amounts of standing water in some places. We’ve already had three traffic fatalities today—three too many. Please slow down & keep extra space between cars, if you have to go out at all,” LAPD tweeted on Friday evening.

Graeme Massie25 February 2023 02:28
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Mammoth Mountain gets hit hard by snow

(AP)
(AP)
Graeme Massie25 February 2023 03:03
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Mountains near Los Angeles hit by snow

A vehicle drives through a snow storm in the San Gabriel Mountains in San Bernardino County near Los Angeles County, on February 24, 2023 in Mount Baldy, California.

(Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Graeme Massie25 February 2023 04:04
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What is a snow squall?

As California is threatened by dangerous blizzard conditions, The Independent’s Megan Sheets explains what a snow squall is - and what to do if you become caught in one.

What is a snow squall?

Snow squalls can cause sudden white-out conditions as well as slick roads

Graeme Massie25 February 2023 05:04

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