Hell to freeze over
https://abc7.com/snow-on-hollywood-sign-southern-california-los-angeles-winter-storm/12868710/
Rain and hail fell on parts of Los Angeles and Orange counties Thursday, and even the Hollywood sign got a light dusting of snow.
AIR7 HD flew over the iconic sign and captured some dense fog hovering above and a small chunks of snow along the trail below the sign.
Snow, rain and hail are all expected to intensify Friday.
A rare blizzard warning will be in effect for Los Angeles County mountains from 4 a.m. Friday to 4 p.m. Saturday. National Weather Service forecasters said up to 5 feet of snow could accumulate in the mountains above 4,000 feet, accompanied by wind gusts topping 80 mph that will create "near zero visibility.''
A flood watch will be in effect from Friday morning through Saturday afternoon for Los Angeles County beaches, the coastal region including downtown, the L.A. County mountains, Santa Monica Mountains and the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and San Gabriel valleys.
A flood watch will also be in effect in Orange County, covering inland areas and the Santa Ana Mountains and foothills.
But snow will be the bigger story of the storm, with the low elevation snow level contributing to what could be "the largest amount of 24-48 hour snowfall seen in decades, likely rivaling the 1989 storm, for our Ventura and Los Angeles County mountains,'' according to the NWS.
"Snowfall of this rate and amount could lead to damage to structures and trees with an immense threat of avalanches, especially in the eastern San Gabriel Mountains by Saturday,'' forecasters said.
"Expect whiteout conditions at times within the Blizzard Warning, mainly above 3,500 to 4,500 feet in elevation.
Significant blowing and drifting of snow combined with the whiteout conditions will make driving very difficult to impossible, including for rescue crews.
"The incredible amount of snow combined with the strong wind will lead to extreme avalanche conditions along steeper terrain and at lower elevations than we typically experience in southern California. The most significant threat for avalanches is typically within 24 hours of new snowfall. The heavy snowfall will increase risk of downed trees and power outages and can cause damage to roofs which have shallow slopes.''