Magic Mountain closes as snow begins to fall north of Los Angeles; Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood will remain open

Six Flag Magic Mountain in Santa Clarita north of Los Angeles closed today due to “severe weather,” according to a park statement. Local station KTLA reported around 5 a.m. this morning that its radar showed “less snow in the Simi Valley, Santa Clarita, La Crecenta and La Cañada Flintridge areas.”

Park officials must not only consider snow and/or rain. Wind is a major concern with the coming storm, especially given the height of some of the park’s rides.

Magic Mountain is about 350 meters above sea level. For example, the Goliath roller coaster climbs 230 feet into the air, and with winds of 40 mph according to the National Weather Service and 45 mph on the nearby (but much higher) Magic Mountain Truck Trail, you get an idea of ​​how added height increases the wind speed in the region.

The park’s website says it will be open tomorrow and Saturday, but with the effects of the storm expected to worsen over the next 36 hours, there’s a good chance that status will change. In fact, a Euro model cited by another local outlet, CBS Los Angeles, shows more than a foot of snow falling in the next 36 to 48 hours.

Other parks in the region remain open. Universal Studios Hollywood, which sits at just over 220 feet, has no plans to close, Deadline has learned. The same goes for Disneyland in Anaheim.

Of course, Disney’s parks division has extensive experience adapting operations to inclement weather and even entertaining guests during hurricanes. Disneyland Resort officials adjust out-of-park offerings — such as shows and parades — at both Disneyland California Adventures if the weather becomes unsustainable. These decisions are usually delayed until just before show time. This morning all offers from the parks were available. When a parade is canceled due to bad weather, a rainy cavalcade of characters usually takes place.

Hail was reported Thursday morning in areas including Pasadena and Long Beach, while light rain fell in many other areas, making for a wet but manageable morning drive. Forecasters warned that unusually low snow levels could endanger motorists on mountain passes later in the day. Chains were even required in parts of La Cañada Flintridge.

“Only scattered light showers at a rate of generally one-tenth of an inch per hour or less for today (Thursday) and tonight,” the National Weather Service said in a statement. More shower activity than yesterday but still mostly on the light side. Most important today are the low snow levels that will cause some impact on roads through the mountains, even in areas where snow is rare such as the Cuesta Pass in (San Luis Obispo), possibly the San Marcos Pass above Santa Barbara. and Highway 14 between Santa Clarita and Antelope Valley.” CalTrans has already sanded the 14 in hopes of speeding up ice and snow removal.

Forecasters said snow levels will drop to 1,500 feet Thursday, but will rise to at least 2,000 feet by late Friday morning.

The winter storm is expected to gain strength by late Thursday and Friday. The NWS has issued a rare blizzard warning that will be in effect for the mountains of Los Angeles County from 4 a.m. Friday until 4 p.m. Saturday. Forecasters said up to 5 feet of snow could accumulate in mountains above 4,000 feet, accompanied by wind gusts of more than 80 mph that would create “near zero visibility.” Higher elevations could see up to 8 feet of snow, with possible elevation gains of 6 to 12 inches at elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 feet
foot, “including most of the great mountain passes.”

According to the NWS Los Angeles office, the blizzard warning is the first in the area since 1989, when a warning was also issued for the LA County mountains.

Ahead of that, a mountain winter storm warning is in place until 04:00 on Friday thanks to expected “low-elevation snow, strong winds and very cold showers”. A winter weather advisory is in effect in Antelope Valley until 10 a.m. Friday, with forecasters expecting 3 to 6 inches of snow in the foothills and 1 to 3 inches on the valley floor with winds gusting to 45 miles per hour.

Forecasters said temperatures will remain cool Thursday, with coastal and valley areas hovering in the 40s and 50s. (5). Motorway. For reference, the Hollywood sign is at about 500 feet. In 1939, snow fell nearby.

If Thursday’s worst storm hits, all major mountain passes are at risk of snow, while other areas could get up to half an inch of rain.

Thursday night, however, things only get worse.

“This system will be a broad swath of moderate to locally heavy rain and snow[in]bring the area,” the NWS said. “Snow depth will vary quite a bit as the southerly flow will briefly raise the elevation to about 4,500 feet Friday afternoon. That could result in a mix of rain and snow in the I-5 Grapevine area before precipitation returns to snow Friday night.

Coastal and valley areas could receive between 2 and 5 inches of rain during the storm Saturday night, with a possible 5 to 7 inches in the foothills.

“These amounts will flood small streams and urban areas and cause some major rivers to burst their banks,” the NWS said. “Peak precipitation is generally 0.25 to 0.75 inches per hour, but locally about 1 inch during thunderstorms and lower mountain foothills where it does not snow. These velocities can create shallow mud and debris flows in and under recent burns.

From Friday morning to Saturday afternoon, there is a tidal watch for the Los Angeles County beaches, the coastal area including downtown, the LA County Mountains, the Santa Monica Mountains and the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and San Gabriel Valleys.

There will also be an Orange County Flood Watch covering the interior and the Santa Ana Mountains and foothills.

But snow will be the storm’s bigger story, as low-elevation snow depths could contribute to what “could be the largest 24-48 hour snowfall in decades, probably comparable to the 1989 storm, for our mountains.” in Ventura and Los Angeles County,” the NS said.

“Snowfall of this rate and amount could cause damage to buildings and trees with significant avalanche risk, especially in the eastern San Gabriel Mountains through Saturday,” forecasters warned.

Temperatures range from 40 to 50 degrees in most areas, although they can drop to 30 degrees in the mountains and some valleys, especially at night, and as low as 20 degrees in Antelope Valley.

The strong wind makes it even colder. Forecasters said strong winds would hit the entire region Friday and Friday night, strongest in the mountains and deserts. Wind gusts of 55 to 75 miles per hour are expected in these areas, adding to the blizzard-like conditions.

“Winds may ease on Saturday, potentially lowering blizzard warnings ahead of time for some areas,” an NWS forecast said. “You can expect occasional whiteout conditions within the blizzard warning, primarily above 3,500 to 4,500 feet elevation. Significant snowdrifts and drifts combined with the whiteout conditions make driving very difficult to impossible, even for rescue workers.

“The incredible amount of snow combined with the strong winds will lead to extreme avalanche conditions on steeper terrain and at lower elevations than we typically experience in Southern California. The greatest danger from avalanches usually occurs within 24 hours of fresh snow. The heavy snowfall increases the risk of downed trees and power outages, and can cause damage to low-sloped roofs.”

City News Service contributed to this report.