Storm to Bring Rain Today and Wind Gusts

The brief respite from the heavy rains Saturday will come to an end today as a storm system moves southeast from the Pacific Ocean through Southern California, bringing rain through Wednesday, forecasters said.

There will be a 40% to 50% chance of rain Monday morning increasing to 80% to 90% by the evening rush hour, said John Sherwin, a meteorologist with WeatherData Inc., which provides forecast information for The Times.

Winds from the south blowing at 15 to 25 mph will sweep through Valley areas with gusts of up to 35 mph, Sherwin said.

“You’re looking at a wet and windy period over the next couple of days,” said Sherwin, adding that the storm system should pass by Wednesday afternoon.

The Valley should see high temperatures in the upper-50s to low-60s today, Tuesday and Wednesday, with lows in the mid- to upper-40s, he said.

Today’s highs are expected to be 58 for Woodland Hills, 59 for Chatsworth and Van Nuys and 60 for Burbank. Low temperatures will be 50 in Woodland Hills and Chatsworth, and 51 for Burbank and Van Nuys.

In addition to rain and wind gusts, there will be a chance of thunder and lightning Tuesday afternoon as cold air begins to move in, Sherwin said.

Wednesday, wind and rain during the morning will give way to partly cloudy skies by the afternoon as a high-pressure system begins to move into Southern California, he said.

Thursday’s morning low temperatures will be slightly cooler, ranging from the mid- to high-40s. Afternoon temperatures will be slightly warmer with highs in the low- to mid-60s with mostly sunny skies.

Due to the low-level moisture left over from the rains, coupled with the high-pressure system, morning fog will roll into the region and should be heaviest in the Valley on Thursday and Friday, Sherwin said.

Morning fog and temperatures in the mid- to upper-40s Friday will give way to partly cloudy skies with highs in the mid- to upper-60s by afternoon.