Yahoo News Los Angeles sees rare snowfall as cold weather sweeps across US
People in Los Angeles were shocked to witness a rare sprinkling of snow in the US city.
A winter storm swept through the US southwest on Thursday.
The storm dropped snow in the Santa Monica Mountains above the Malibu Coast and coated large areas of desert northeast of Los Angeles.
"No need to panic Los Angeles - the LAPD is on snow watch," the city's police department tweeted, along with video of a light flurry.
Authorities closed portions of the main routes from Las Vegas to Los Angeles and Phoenix because of snow, ice and limited visibility, according to NBC News.
#LASnow #Snowing #GlobalWarming Snow and deer in the La Crescenta Foothills! Tell me what the heck is happening?! pic.twitter.com/QbYXyTwnlt
— LukeTheDude101 (@Lukethedude101)
The National Weather Service said measurable snow hasn’t fallen in downtown Los Angeles since 1949.
As of 1250hrs, snow is falling at the 1500’ level in the Santa Monica Mountains above Malibu, CA. Roads will be slippery. Please drive safely! #LAweather @NWSLosAngeles @CHPWestValley @CaltransDist7 pic.twitter.com/jrgxlGg4Vr
— LACoFireAirOps (@LACoFireAirOps)
A freeze warning was issued for Los Angeles County with some temperatures on Friday morning predicted to fall to -1C.
Las Vegas has also received a sprinkling of snow this week.
There was one inch of snow at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport on Thursday morning but flights were not affected.
On Wednesday around 2,660 homes were without electricity, according to Utility NV Energy.
