Rain expected to roll through Los Angeles this week
Rain is expected to finally roll through Los Angeles and Southern California starting Monday and continuing through the week, according to the National Weather Service.
Saturday’s sunny skies are projected to give way to some clouds on Sunday, with temperatures starting to slightly drop.
The first winter outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that a strong El Niño will remain in place through at least the spring, bringing warm, wet conditions to California and large swaths of the U.S.
The likelihood of showers in Los Angeles County, including downtown, is expected to increase on Monday with a 50% chance of rain.
Chance of precipitation increases through the week, with a slight chance of thunderstorms Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures are projected to drop to the 60s through the week.
Total rain expected from Sunday through Tuesday could reach half an inch from a storm system moving inland that is expected to bring colder weather and rain throughout California, the weather service wrote on social media.
Recent storms have dampened conditions but have also spurred new vegetation that could act as fuel for fires. Also, strong fall winds have yet to arrive.
Any precipitation should bring respite to an otherwise dry and somewhat gusty few weeks in Southern California, despite the state being in an El Niño weather pattern that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration expects to provide an unusually warm and wet season for parts of the West.
While Los Angeles isn’t currently under any red flag warnings or other fire-risk watches, the weather service did upgrade Los Angeles and Ventura counties to “locally brief critical fire weather conditions” until early Sunday, largely concentrated in the hills and mountains, due to wind and low humidity.
“Gusts of 25-35 mph will be common, strongest into Sunday morning with isolated gusts to 45 mph,” the weather service wrote. “Conditions will change rapidly Sunday night with an active storm
pattern through next week.”
The Coachella Valley got 2 to 4 inches of rain at lower elevations, including in Palm Springs and Indio, and about 4 to 6 inches farther west, the National Weather Service said.
California has otherwise experienced a mild wildfire season after dozens of atmospheric rivers pummeled the state earlier this year and delivered record rainfalls.
Tropical Storm Hilary showered Southern California with several more inches of rain in August, which caused flooding in the Coachella Valley.
Weather experts anticipate a strong El Niño weather pattern through the first few months of 2024, increasing California’s likelihood for even more rain after years of drought and extreme wildfires.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
