Rare snowfall envelopes southern California, swirling around Hollywood sign – video

A slow-moving winter storm intensified over California on Friday, triggering the first blizzard warning in parts of the Los Angeles area in more than 30 years and creating the extraordinary sight of snowflakes swirling around the iconic Hollywood sign.

Snow and freezing rain pushed into the Golden State from the north, where Portland, Oregon, was affected earlier in the week. California's snow was heaviest in the Cascades, Sierra Nevada and coastal mountains.

In the northern part of Los Angeles County, children and residents enjoyed about a foot of snow and the snowfall covered several roadways creating hazardous conditions for some commuters

• Strongest snowstorm in years' leaves Californians delighted and frozen