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This story recaps the forecast and weather on Feb. 22. Check our latest weather forecast for Thursday, Feb. 23.
Blizzards and winter weather are overtaking parts of Southern California, a region most known for its inviting weather.
Snow and freezing temperatures are expected throughout much of the state over the next few days, with advisories in effect in the Bay Area near San Francisco and further north through to the state line, according to the National Weather Service.
Californians join the more than 20 million Americans under winter storm warnings and 35 million people across the country under winter weather advisories this week, according to NWS.
Here’s what you need to know about California’s winter weather.
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Blizzard warnings in the mountains over Los Angeles
Los Angeles and Ventura County residents living in mountains above the city of Los Angeles were advised to travel only for emergencies Wednesday morning as the area expected wind gusts up to 75 mph to whip in heavy snow and virtually eliminate any visibility. The blizzard and winter storm warnings, in effect until Saturday afternoon morning, said 2 to 7 feet of snow was expected to accumulate by Saturday night, with up to 12 inches at higher elevations.
Some areas also expected rains on Thursday and Friday. The Los Angeles NWS said Wednesday it knew of only one other blizzard warning issued for the area, in 1989.
Light snow had begun to fall on the Interstate 5 Grapevine mountain pass connecting the Los Angeles area to central California, the weather service said.
Winter weather and winter storm advisories were also in effect for San Bernardino and Riverside counties further inland from Los Angeles, and for parts of San Diego county further south.
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Freeze warning in San Francisco Bay area
Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 20 degrees were expected in some parts of the Bay Area along with wind gusts up to 50 mph, the NWS said.
Freeze warnings were expected to remain in effect until 9 a.m. Thursday.
Residents were advised to move vulnerable plants and pets indoors to protect them from the freezing temperatures, and to prevent any outdoor pipes from bursting by draining them.
Most of Northern California under severe weather advisories
Eureka, Redding, Chico and other communities in northern California were all under winter storm, winter weather watches or advisories Wednesday.
NWS said all of northwestern California expected hail and light to heavy snow from Tuesday night through Thursday.
Power outages across California amid strong winds
Close to 100,000 customers were without power in California Wednesday morning, according to PowerOutage.Us, as parts of the state contended with strong winds.
The Pacific Gas and Electric Company said Tuesday night it would mobilize personnel to prepare from outages resulting from poor weather conditions.
California power outage tracker:Over 110,000 customers without power as strong winds hit
US weather watches and warnings
Contributing: Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY
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