Light to moderate rain expected Wednesday in Southern California, thunderstorms possible
LOS ANGELES — A Pacific storm will bring periods of light to moderate showers to Southern California through Wednesday and a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
“Brief, heavy downpours, small hail and waterspouts are possible,” the NWS noted on its website
Offshore, the storm will bring a slight chance of thunderstorms to much of the coastal waters through Wednesday afternoon, according to the NWS.
“Any thunderstorms that develop will be capable of producing brief heavy rain, dangerous lightning, small hail, gusty winds, choppy seas and dangerous waterspouts,” the NWS said in a statement.
Between a half-inch and 1.5 inches of is generally expected, although between 1.5 and 2.5 inches is likely at higher elevations.
Snow at the 7,500-foot level is expected in the San Gabriel Mountains.
The NWS said the storm could cause roadway flooding and hazardous driving conditions, minor mud and debris flows over areas denuded by wildfires.
Winds will blow at 25 to 40 miles per hour.
On Tuesday, a rainfall record 1.14 inch was recorded in Lancaster, breaking the record 1.02 inch set for a March 10.
The NWS forecast showers in LA County on Wednesday, accompanied by normal temperatures, including 51 on Mount Wilson; 64 in Palmdale; 65 in Lancaster and San Pedro; 66 in Santa Clarita and Avalon; 68 in Burbank, North Hollywood, Sherman Oaks and Long Beach; 69 in San Gabriel, Van Nuys, Studio City, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Torrance and at LAX; 70 in Pasadena, Northridge, Winnetka, Granada Hills and Woodland Hills; 71 in downtown LA and West Covina; and 72 in Whittier. Similar conditions are expected Thursday. Showers are also expected Friday but with slightly cooler temperatures. Rain is expected from Saturday through Tuesday amid a slight cooling trend.
A combination of sunny skies, partly cloudy skies and showers was forecast in Orange County along with highs of 50 on Santiago Peak (partly cloudy); 59 on Ortega Highway at 2,600 feet (partly cloudy); 64 at Fremont Canyon (partly cloudy) and Laguna Beach (sunny); 65 in San Clemente (partly cloudy); 66 in Newport Beach (sunny); 67 at Trabuco Canyon (partly cloudy); 68 in Yorba Linda (partly cloudy); 69 in Mission Viejo (sunny); 70 in Fullerton (showers), Anaheim (showers) and Santa Ana (chance of showers); and 71 in Irvine (sunny). Slightly cooler temperatures are expected Thursday amid showers.