12:39 PM ET, February 5, 2024
Feet of snow in the California mountains – and more to come
From CNN meteorologist Mary Gilbert and CNN's Stephanie Elam
While the rain is falling in Southern California, heavy snow is burying some of the state's mountains. Winter storm warnings remain in effect for parts of the Sierra Nevada and Southern California mountain ranges until Tuesday afternoon.
Parts of the Sierras have already recorded more than two feet of snow this week, with several more inches to come by Tuesday.
In Southern California, heavy snow will target the highest elevations of San Gabriel, Ventura County and the San Bernardino Mountains through Tuesday. Several feet of snow at the end of a storm can bury these ranges, mainly above the Bass level.
According to the National Weather Service, heavy, wet snow will still reach pass levels for some travelers and cause “extremely difficult-to-impossible” conditions.
Snow is essential for California, which has been plagued by heat and storms that have brought more rain than snow. Snow this winter According to the latest survey by the state's water resources department, it was only 52% of the year's average as of Tuesday.
Snowpack is an important water source, and the survey helps California predict how much water will be available throughout the year.
