5 FREEWAY OPENS AFTER FOUR HOURS.

Byline: Patricia Farrell Aidem Staff Writer

CASTAIC - The Golden State Freeway reopened early Thursday morning after a four-hour closure due to snow in the Grapevine area.

And more snow is in the forecast this morning for northern Los Angeles County.

Both sides of the freeway were opened at 12:10 a.m., said California Highway Patrol Officer Rosa Ray. The CHP closed the road from Lake Hughes road in Castaic to Laval Road in Kern County at 8:20 p.m. Wednesday when snow began sticking to the freeway.

By 11 p.m., CHP officers started escorting traffic through the mountain pass, Rey said.

Wednesday's storm dropped about 3 inches of snow along the Grapevine, and more snow is expected overnight, said Stuart Seto of the National Weather Service.

In Santa Clarita, about 2 inches of rain fell Wednesday, followed by a day of respite. Thursday brought spectacular views of cloud-shrouded peaks capped with snow.

The National Weather Service predicted more rain overnight and light rain today. Temperatures will continue to be chilly - with a high of 50 predicted in Santa Clarita and an overnight low of 43. Saturday will be partly cloudy with lows in the upper 30s to mid-40s and highs in the 50s. Rain could resume Sunday, with decreasing clouds Monday.

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Photo:

(color) Stormy skies left Stevenson Ranch with a view of snow-capped mountains.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer