Storm Closed Grapevine, but Brought Little Rain

 A quick-moving storm brought some windy weather but only a smattering of rain across much of Los Angeles County, but it dumped enough snow in the northern reaches of the county to force the closure of the Golden State (5) Freeway over the Grapevine for more than three hours.

The southbound freeway was closed just before 2 p.m. at Laval Road in Kern County, and traffic on the northbound side was being diverted at the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway cutoff, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Krystal Carter.

The CHP then began escorting traffic through and on the basis of that, decided it was safe to lift the closures so that traffic could move impeded.

The closure was lifted at 5:36 p.m. and although the CHP would continue to monitor road, traffic and weather conditions, it was expected the link between the northern and southern parts of the state would continue through the night, Carter said.

As much as three inches of snow was expected to fall on the Grapevine, according to the National Weather Service.

Most of the rain that was expected over the Los Angeles basin has already fallen, said Bonnie Bartling, a weather specialist with the NWS. As of 2 p.m., no rain was recorded in downtown Los Angeles. Bartling said most of the rain from the storm fell in the mountains and San Gabriel Valley.

The main effects of the storm appeared to be high winds and snow in some lower elevations, and swells and dangerous rip currents at the beaches.

Winds of between 20 and 30 mph were expected to continue buffeting mountain areas through the rest of the afternoon, gusting to 45 mph, according to an National Weather Service advisory.

"Snow and strong winds will likely reduce visibilities and possibly make travel treacherous across mountain roadways," according to the National Weather Service, which also warned of possibly difficult conditions on highways 2 and 14, in addition to the Grapevine.

National Weather Service forecasters also warned of high surf along the coast, including around Santa Catalina Island, but it was expected to subside Tuesday. In the meantime, surf was expected to average four to six feet through late this afternoon, with occasional sets of seven to eight feet.

"The surf will cause a high risk of rip currents at the beaches, with hazardous conditions for swimmers and surfers," according to the National Weather Service.

Temperatures will be only a few degrees higher Tuesday, but dry weather and sunshine are expected.