Storm brings snow, cold to West for New Year’s

Associated Press

A blustery winter storm dumped snow and ice across the West on Wednesday, making driving treacherous in the mountains from California to the Rockies, and forcing residents and party-goers in some usually sun-soaked cities to bundle up for a frosty New Year’s.

Giddy residents in Southern California foothills snapped photos of snow-covered lawns as kids tossed snowballs. In suburban Phoenix, swimming pools and cactus-lined backyards were dusted with snowflakes.

Those planning to usher in 2015 along the Las Vegas Strip or watch flower-decorated floats in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., were bracing for near-freezing temperatures.

Marco Berri, 26, of Brazil, said he likely would buy some scarves and gloves to keep warm in Las Vegas, but the cold wouldn’t keep him inside.

“We’re gonna be in the street. It doesn’t matter how cold it is,” said Berri, one of about 340,000 revelers expected to pack the Strip and the downtown Fremont Street area on New Year’s Eve.

The storm swept from California into the Mojave Desert and Las Vegas, bringing snow to parts of northern Arizona and New Mexico along the way.

Ice and snow also made roads and highways dangerous along the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma.

Gusting winds toppled trees throughout California, killing at least three people in the state in recent days. A harbor patrolman and another person were killed after winds broke boats loose from moorings at Santa Catalina Island off the coast of Southern California.

Four people were injured after strong winds turned several tents into flying projectiles at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, authorities said. A video posted on YouTube shows several gusts lifting at least three tents with metal posts into the air and across a field as onlookers screamed and ran to get out of the way.

More than 180 motorists were rescued after they were stranded by the snow on mountain highways northeast of Los Angeles.

Still, many Southern Californians were excited to see snow at their front door.

Temecula City Manager Aaron Adams said his 12- and 14-year-old daughters were sledding outside his home on bodyboards usually reserved for the beach or pool. He said he has never seen as much snow — half a foot in some places — in the two decades he has lived there.

In Flagstaff, Ariz., as much as 15 inches of snow was expected by today.

Pasadena officials urged parade-goers to come ready with layers of clothing and foot- and hand-warmers.