December 17, 2008 Malibu Hills snow

A cold storm system parked itself just west of Los Angeles on this Wednesday.  The surface low was near San Diego, giving Los Angeles and Ventura County “offshore” flow at the surface.  Winds all day were blowing out of the east and northeast from 20 to 40 mph, with some gusts over 60 mph at the windiest stations.  The offshore flow brought relatively dry air to the region between the surface and about 4000 feet.  Rain moved over the two counties from south to north during the daytime and fell into the dry lower levels.  This caused lower rain amounts, and cooling of the near-surface layer due to evaporative effects.    Late morning temperature here in Westlake Village was near 44F with sprinkles and occasional light rain.  Rain intensity increased by 2 to 3 p.m., and the temperature fell to 39F at 3 p.m.

After running an errand in Agoura Hills at 3 p.m., I headed south on Kanan Road and up into the Santa Monica Mountains.  At Agoura, Kanan Road is at about 900 feet elevation.  The road rises to about 1800 feet at it highest point near Mulholland Highway and the tunnels.  When I reached this area, moderate rain was mixed with snow and the temperature was 35F.  I headed up Latigo Canyon Road, which put me up at perhaps 2100 feet or so, and the temperature was 33-34F.  It was all snow at this elevation, and it was occasionally blowing sideways with the strong gusts.  Many of the snow flakes were quite large!  I spent about 30 minutes taking some photos along Latigo Canyon Road before darkness set in.  Snow was sticking to some exposed surfaces, but not yet to the road when I headed back home.

This is the best local snow event that I have experienced in quite some time.  Local snowfall as low as 2000 feet occurs on only a few occasions every ten years or so.  The last time that there was a significant snowfall at lower elevations—on the floor of the San Fernando and Conejo valleys—was in February 1989.  Unfortunately, I was on a ski vacation at Mammoth Mountain during that event!  I suppose I should get up early on Thursday to check out the views of the local mountains.  Many regional mountain and desert locales have received 6 to 20 inches today.