Snow hitting Southern California valleys

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SAN DIEGO, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- A strong low pressure system from the Gulf of Alaska took Southern California by storm Sunday, bringing snow to Valencia for the first time in decades.

The storm was expected to drop 4 to 8 inches of snow in San Diego County's mountains, and snow levels had dropped to an elevation of 1,300 feet, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory that will remain in effect until 9 a.m. Monday, with accumulating snow across the valley floor expected.

"Precipitation will likely start as rain in the high deserts, but quickly turn to snow as the center of the low approaches and easterly winds continue to bring in cold air," the weather service said.

Winds could gust to 30 mph, reducing visibility to a quarter of a mile, The San Diego Union-Tribune said.