Snow

A year after "snowmageddon" struck across the country, the owners of the Mt. Waterman are stuck praying for snow. Rick Metcalf, who co-owns the small resort located just an hour up Angeles Crest Highway from La Cañada Flintridge, said that while he hopes to be able to open the slopes this year, so far it's not looking good, with only inches on the mountain so far. Metcalf said this is the first winter since he and his three partners acquired...

Wind gusts up to 45 mph were reported in Los Angeles and Ventura counties as a cold front moved across the region Monday night, forecasters said. The winds were expected to weaken by Tuesday morning, but snow levels could fall as low as 3,000 feet and create problems for drivers along the Grapevine and California 14, the National Weather Service said. By Monday night, less than 2 inches of snow had been reported near the Tejon Pass on the Grapevine, the weather service said.

Roads that were closed within the Station fire burn area in advance of a snow storm earlier this week reopened today. In reopening the roadways in Angeles National Forest, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works warned that access would remain limited and cautioned drivers to expect delays. The roads affected are: Angeles Forest Highway from Aliso Canyon Road to Angeles Crest Highway. Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road from Angeles Forest Highway to Angeles Crest Highway.

Roads within the Station fire burn area of the Angeles National Forest will close at noon today due to expected snowfall and icy conditions, officials announced. Angeles Forest Highway will close from Aliso Canyon Road to Angeles Crest Highway. Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road will close from Angeles Forest Highway to Angeles Crest Highway. Big Tujunga Canyon Road will close from Vogel Flats Road to Angeles Forest Highway. Local road access will not be allowed until closures are lifted, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works.

Only in Hollywood (or its Altadena annex) will you find a full, fluffy snowfall in 90 degree weather.  A film crew creates a flurry of faux snow (snaux?)  at the business formerly known as Ronny's Automotive Wednesday afternoon.  According to community correspondant John Heinsen, they were filming well into the night. Read more at Altadenablog.com . 

Well, well, well. Wishes do come true. In October 2009, I wrote in this column that I wanted it to snow on Southern California. I wanted to see our cities blanketed in a layer of white in hopes such an act of force majeure would bring society to a standstill. It took 16 months, but it happened. And this time I didn't have to drive 90 minutes to shovel the stuff into the bed of my truck, haul it home and dump it on the lawn so the kids could experience a snow day. When it started last Saturday, I was in line at the Handy Market paying for my tri-trip sandwiches and ribeyes.

Saturday's storm left a parting gift, dusting parts of La Crescenta, La Cañada and Burbank with snow and sending families streaming outdoors for some winter fun. Joe Mohos and his two children, Chris, 8, and Cathy, 7, knelt on the Chandler Bikeway in Burbank scrapping together enough snow to form a small snowman. Mohos said he was startled to watch the rain turn to hail, and then soft white flakes as the day progressed. “Why is everything white?” he asked himself.

NORTHWEST GLENDALE — Best friends Ruby Connor and Juliette Bailey could barely contain their excitement when they saw the snow blanketing parts of Brand Park on Saturday morning. "I only saw it in the mountains before," Juliette, 6, said as the girls danced around while waiting in line to race down one of several sledding areas. "We're almost to the top," said Ruby, 5. "Juliette, isn't this going to be great?" The two friends and their fathers were among hundreds of families who filled the park Saturday for the city's annual Winter Wonderland event, sponsored by the Glendale Community Services & Parks Department.

Mostly sunny skies are in store for much of the week after the rainstorm that snarled the Interstate 5 Grapevine on Monday moved out. Temperatures will remain chilly, with highs not expected to get much past 60 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Low temperatures dropped the snow level Monday morning, which meant the Santa Clarita Valley and other valley areas were blanketed with the stuff. The Grapevine reopened after noon, with California Highway Patrol officers running escorts.

"The Nutcracker" is often the usual Christmas classic, but locals know another story: "The Snow Queen. " California Contemporary Ballet will perform Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale of good prevailing over evil Dec. 17 to 19. The story tells of two best friends, Gerta and Kai, and Gerta's path to reach Kai after the Snow Queen places him under an evil spell. "The Snow Queen" features a cast of 60 performers in a mix of classical ballet and contemporary dance. Dancers also take flight through aerial ballet.