A cruel storm hit on the first day of spring in the metropolitan area of Southern California. Mountainous areas were covered with snow while several other parts of the region were affected by heavy rain and strong winds on Sunday.

The winter storm warnings issued by the National Weather Service on Sunday were extended until midday of Monday for the mountainous areas of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

At the Bob Hope Airport, sixteen flights were cancelled and at least eight flights were diverted by the Southwest Airlines because of strong winds in Burbank on Sunday. Long delays were also experienced by other airlines, according to an airport spokesman.

Nearly 27 inches of snow covered the Pine Mountain Club located in Kern Country while Lockwood Valley were covered with 19 and ½ inches of snow, said weather specialist Stuart Seto of National Weather Service in Oxnard. The Ventura River is also expected to crest at midnight.

Power interruptions were also experienced by almost 60,000 homes, including many business establishments mostly outside of Los Angeles sand Orange Counties. Most of them were customers of Department of Water and Power, as well as California Edison.

Power interruptions were also experienced by almost 60,000 homes, including many business establishments, mostly outside of Los Angeles and Orange Counties. They were under the Department of Water and Power, as well as California Edison electricity supply company.

Road accidents were increased on Sunday because of slick roads, flooding and mudslides. However, there were no fatalities reported, according to Ed Jacobs, California Highway Patrol Officer.

Officials said several challengers who joined the 26th Los Angeles Marathon were brought to the hospital because of hypothermia.

Seto said another low-pressure system is expected to hit Los Angeles accompanied with more rain on Friday.