After wet and cold weather dampened travels for people arriving and departing Southern California for the Thanksgiving holiday week, Turkey Day on Thursday is forecasted to feature more intense rain and snow.
Early snowfall prompted the closure of the Grapevine on the 5 Freeway Thursday morning. The freeway was back open around 3:15 p.m. before closing for a little over an hour in the evening, according to Caltrans. All southbound lanes were back open as of 9:30 p.m., with the California Highway Patrol escorting all northbound vehicles, according to Caltrans.
A flash flood warning was issued for Orange County through 11:30 a.m. Thursday, as heavy rain was expected in the area.
Rain fall on Thursday will be notably heavier and more widespread than Wednesday's rain fall, NBCLA meteorologist Anthony Yanez said.
Similar to Wednesday, Thursday's wet weather should be far more spotty by the afternoon, with the intense portion of the storm hitting in the morning hours, Yanez said.
The mountains, however, should see consistent, heavy snow fall on Thanksgiving day. While Big Bear was under about 4 inches of snow by Wednesday evening, the forecast called for Big Bear to see anywhere from 1-3 feet of fresh powder by Thanksgiving evening.
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Almost all of Southern California is expecting more than an inch of rain on Thursday, with areas expecting about an inch and a half. The Tejon Pass should see about 3-5 inches of snow on Thursday, which could complicate travel for anyone waiting to make a last minute state-length trek for Thanksgiving.
This winter storm should pass on Friday, with possibly more rain coming to Southern California over the weekend.
