Rain Expected Through Christmas Weekend

On-and-off rain is likely through the Christmas weekend, forecasters concluded Tuesday as they watched a cold front move in over California to bring probable overnight showers to the Southland.

Although the current system is expected to clear out by this afternoon, leaving the region with gusty winds over the hills and through the canyons, another front will probably arrive late Thursday.

“There’s a whole series of storms out in the Pacific,” said Rick Dittmann of WeatherData Inc., which provides forecasts for The Times.

The National Weather Service said the weekend should be “mostly cloudy with occasional showers through the period.”

Dittmann said coastal areas are apt to get about a half an inch of rain by this morning, while local mountains could get 1 to 2 inches.

The National Weather Service issued snow advisories for Southern California’s northern mountains, where 6 to 8 inches were expected down to the 5,000-foot level.

With winter officially beginning at 7:28 a.m. today, temperatures will remain on the cool side. High Los Angeles readings will be in the 50s and lows will be in the mid-40s.

Tuesday’s Civic Center maximum was 57 degrees after an overnight low of 49.

Relative humidity ranged from 83% to 69%. The morning drizzle that dampened many areas was not measureable, the Weather Service said.

THE RAIN

24-hour total 0.00 in. Storm total 0.00 in. Monthly total 1.43 in. Total for season 2.22 in. Last season to date 5.21 in. Normal season to date 3.59 in.

Figures, based on 4 p.m. readings at the Los Angeles Civic Center, are compiled by the National Weather Service, which provides no later data.