Looking at some clouds beginning to spill into the Big Bear Valley this evening as the onshore flow strengthens ahead of our approaching storm. This will be the first major winter-like storm system of the season, bringing gusty winds, rain, snow, and thunderstorms to the area. The main low is currently forecast to pass inland to our north, with a south to south-southwest flow developing out ahead of it. This should push a potent cold front south through the area tomorrow, exiting by tomorrow night. The wildcard remains the snow levels, while this appears to primarily be a rainmaker for most mountain communities, we could see some snowfall on the tail end of the front as it departs, though heaviest accumulations will remain confined to above 8,000 feet where a half a foot or more is possible! Expect increasing clouds and winds through tonight with showers developing, cold and windy with lows in the 30s. South to southwest winds increasing to around 25 mph with the snow level near 7,000 feet. This system should arrive tomorrow morning with rain and snow showers, possibly heavy for a period as the frontal boundary works its way through our area, a few thunderstorms are also possible. Southwest winds gusting to around 40 mph at times, with temperatures only in the 40s. We could see a rain-snow mix throughout the day, changing to snow by afternoon as the colder air arrives behind the cold front, hence the name. The snow level could then drop to around 6,000 feet, with a dusting to an inch or two possible. Travel safely and carry chains! Rainfall amounts of 1-2 inches are possible, with locally 3 inches on the lower coastal slopes, where a flash flood watch is in effect, especially below recent burn scars. Clouds, winds, and showers will all decrease Tuesday night, setting us up for our first good freeze as lows dive into the mid and lower 20s. High pressure will slowly build back over the region during the second half of the week, bringing a return to more seasonal fall weather by the weekend.