LOS ANGELES (AP) - The center of Southern California’s latest storm stayed well out to sea Monday, keeping the bulk of its precipitation offshore after dousing the Central Coast.
Only light snowfall or flurries were seen in the high mountain passes north and east of Los Angeles, and Interstates 5 and 15 remained open. Initial winter weather advisories for some mountain areas were canceled.
The southward track of the storm hundreds of miles off the coast allowed the region to avoid a repeat of the holiday travel nightmare that occurred when a massive snowstorm hit on Christmas night.
“The upper low that at one point promised decent rain to the entire forecast area has tracked too far to the west to bring significant rain to any area save for the Central Coast,” the National Weather Service wrote.
With precipitation chances “fading like a cheap postcard,” attention was turning to offshore flow, the service said.
Gusty Santa Ana winds began developing and were expected to continue across the region through Tuesday.
The forecast of a switch from wet weather to sunny and dry conditions was good news for the throngs expected to gather for 131st Rose Parade on New Year’s Day.
The weather service said temperatures will be in the upper 40s (8 Celsius) at the start and then warm to the mid- to upper 50s (14 Celsius) by the end.
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