Up to 70% Chance of Rain Through Midday Monday

Surfers were out in force Saturday to take advantage of prime wave conditions ahead of the storm expected to arrive in Orange County early today.

“With no strong on-shore breezes, the ocean is smooth, not choppy,” said Marine Safety Lt. Steve Davidson at Huntington City Beach, where an estimated 2,000 crowded the west side of the pier to catch the waves. Despite the day’s overcast skies and high temperatures in the low to mid-60s, he said, “it’s good for surfing.”

Though rain is forecast, beach officials predicted that many of the wave riders would be back for more today, especially since strong winds are not expected.

Forecasters are calling for cloudy skies and a 60% to 70% chance of rain in Orange County, with the precipitation expected to end by midday Monday.

In the Santa Barbara and Ventura coastal areas, some thunderstorms are forecast.

The National Weather Service predicts half an inch of rain along Orange County’s coasts and valleys, with heavier downpours in the mountains, said meteorologists at WeatherData, which provides forecasts for The Times.

Snow is expected above 7,000 feet, which would exclude Orange County because none of its terrain reaches that altitude.

The precipitation is being driven by a cold front that started in the Gulf of Alaska at midweek and has been moving through the northern and central parts of California. At the same time, moisture has been building along the Southland coast for the past few days, WeatherData meteorologist Kris Farnsworth said, and that will fuel the storm.

Winds along the beaches today will be from the west to southwest at 17 m.p.h., with waves at two to three feet.

Temperatures across Orange County will range from midmorning lows in the mid-40s to mid-50s, to afternoon highs in the lower to mid-60s.

Temperature Drops

With the forecast calling for rain to sweep across across Orange County, temperatures will be cooler today. Expected highs and lows in selected cities:

Low High Anaheim 49 63 Santa Ana 50 62 Irvine 49 62 El Toro 51 64 Laguna Beach 47 61 Dana Point 48 60