The National Weather Service released a hazardous weather alert at 2:30 this afternoon for the Santa Clarita Valley and surrounding areas, warning that cold, unsettled weather will continue to blanket the area through tonight, bringing a 60 percent chance of scattered showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms.

Small hail, gusty winds and isolated waterspouts are possible. The snow level is expected to drop to 2,000 feet. Showers are expected to be light with occasional heavy downpours.

The service predicts snowfall is possible tonight in the Grapevine on Interstate 5 north of Castaic, and in higher elevations of the SCV.

Wednesday's skies will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 46 and winds from the northeast wind between 14 and 18 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Clearing is expected after the system moves eastward Wednesday night and sub-freezing temperatures are expected.

Morning frost is forecast for before 10 a.m. Thursday which will then give way to partly cloudy skies and a 20 percent chance of rain and high temperature in the low 50s on Friday, according to the service.