UPDATED 2:41 p.m. Friday:

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works has announced that based on the forecast of snow and icy road conditions, it has closed public access to all County roads within the Station Fire burn area.

As a result, the following roads will be closed to all traffic with the exception of emergency vehicles, including Public Works personnel:

• Angeles Forest Highway from Aliso Canyon Road to Angeles Crest Highway (SR-2),
• Big Tujunga Canyon Road from Big Tujunga Dam to Angeles Forest Highway, and
• Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road

Local access will not be permitted until the road closures are lifted. Once roads can be made safe for travel, they will be reopened.

Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking news alerts delivered right to your inbox

To enable snow-enthusiasts to reach fresh powder, Public Works will prioritize the opening of the following roads:

• Big Tujunga Canyon Road from Big Tujunga Dam to Angeles Forest Highway, and
• Angeles Forest Highway from Big Tujunga Canyon Road to Angeles Crest Highway (SR-2)

The National Weather Service in Los Angeles/Oxnard has issued a winter storm alert:

A very cold storm system originating from Canada will bring rain and low-elevation snow to the area today and Saturday. Heavy precipitation is expected tonight as the front moves through and winds are expected to intensify, especially along the south-facing mountain slopes behind the cold front.

A very cold and unstable air mass will bring a threat of showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms into Saturday that could include brief heavy downpours, gusty winds and waterspouts. Rainfall amounts are expected to range from one half to one inch across the coastal and valley areas, with one to three inches possible in the foothills and lower mountain elevations.

The main impacts of the storm system will be the potential for significant snowfall accumulation and strong winds in the mountains, as well as the potential for very low snow levels behind the front. Snow levels may fall rapidly, as low as 500 feet north of Point Conception, with light accumulation across the Antelope Valley and the mountains surrounding the Santa Clarita Valley.

In addition, strong southwest winds gusting over 50 MPH are expected with the front, which could create brief periods of whiteout conditions, making travel hazardous.

Snow and icy conditions will impact many major highways, including Interstate 5 near the Grapevine, Highway 14 and Soledad Canyon Road from the Santa Clarita to the Antelope Valleys due to the unusually low snow levels expected.

Roadways that are especially at risk for snow include Highway 101 (especially near Cuesta Pass), Highway 154, Highways 41 and 46 in San Luis Obispo County as well as Highways 126 and 118 in Ventura County.

The upcoming storm could be deadly for unprepared motorists, campers or hikers. Anyone planning to travel in the mountains should be prepared for winter storm conditions and carry an emergency kit in their cars.

The Santa Clarita Valley has already experienced light showers and experts are predicting heavier rainfall tonight.  

As always, KHTS will be monitoring the storm as it develops with updates posted through hometownstation.com, our e-mail alerts, text messaging service, Twitter and Facebook.