West Coast Braces for Record-Breaking Cold Temperatures and Heavy Snowfall as Powerful Winter Storm Wreaks Havoc

A powerful winter storm is wreaking havoc across the West Coast, bringing with it a mix of severe weather conditions. The National Weather Service has issued a rare blizzard warning for parts of Southern California, including the Los Angeles region, as some areas experience heavy snow and record rainfall. Flash flooding has already occurred in Ventura County, where up to 7 inches (18 centimeters) of rain has fallen and up to 10 inches is expected.

Overnight lows could drop below freezing in some areas, while downtown San Francisco could see record-breaking cold temperatures Saturday morning. The projected temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius) would make it the city’s coldest day since 2009.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles metro area is expected to continue experiencing torrential rain on Saturday, after the area experienced flooding a day earlier. The National Weather Service has warned of avalanches in the higher elevations of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, where up to a foot of snow may pair with 80 mph winds.

Residents of the West Coast are urged to take caution and prepare for the extreme weather conditions. The National Weather Service has advised people to stay away from creeks and streams, and to avoid driving in areas where flooding has been reported.