The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for parts of Los Angeles as heavier rain is expected to fall across the region through Sunday, with wetter weather and a chance for thunderstorms after spring kicked into full bloom.
“This is when the weather gets a little more wild, technically, because we’re starting to see some more differential heating on the Earth,” said Todd Hall, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service.
Parts of Los Angeles began experiencing rain after 11 p.m. Saturday, according to a forecast from the National Weather Service. Scattered showers were anticipated on Sunday afternoon before 2, and there is a potential for thunderstorms in some parts of the city.
There’s a 15% to 25% chance of thunderstorms, according to the forecast discussion from the NWS Los Angeles on Saturday. “Any thunderstorms that develop will likely produce brief heavy rain, gusty outflow winds, small hail and potentially waterspouts or weak, short-lived, tornadoes,” the NWS said.
A ridge of high pressure has already moved east, and now a storm system is arriving in the area.
There’s a chance that the storm system will linger across parts of Los Angeles through Monday, Hall said. Snow levels are expected to drop at high elevations, but some places, such as the northern Ventura County mountains, could have wet snow, so drivers should be cautious.
NWS issues flood advisory for central Los Angeles
The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory effective until 10 a.m. for a portion of southwest California, including much of central Los Angeles and eastern Ventura, according to the 5:41 a.m. alert.
Expect minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. There is a risk of rock and mudslides, the NWS says. “A minor debris flow over the burn scars cannot be ruled out,” the NWS said in its advisory.
The NWS says the following locations at most risk for flooding during Sunday’s showers include Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Malibu, North Hollywood, Van Nuys, Universal City, Burbank, Encino, Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Griffith Park, Northridge, Santa Monica, Culver City, Chatsworth, Woodland Hills, Downtown Los Angeles, Venice and Santa Clarita.
In Southern California, the National Weather Service suggested that people be ready to adjust plans and monitor the situation.
Gusty winds are expected in portions of the Mojave Desert as well.
“Just like in the ocean, we have waves. The atmosphere behaves the same way,” Hall said.
The total rainfall through Sunday night is anticipated to be between 0.50 and 1.50 inches. On average across L.A., temperatures on Sunday are expected to reach a high of 65 degrees — a full 26 degrees lower than the high recorded a week ago.
Dry and warm weather is expected to return after Monday. Temperatures are forecast to climb to more than 75 degrees later in the week and reach nearly 80 degrees next Saturday.
Winter storm advisory for Santa Barbara, Ventura counties
The NWS issued a winter weather advisory until 11 a.m. for parts of Santa Barbara County’s interior mountains and southern and northern Ventura County mountains, including the cities of Big Pine Mountain, San Rafael Mountain, Ozena, Topatopa Mountains, Matilija, Mount Pinos, Lockwood Valley, Rose Valley and Figueroa Mountain.
Up to 6 inches of wet snow could fall above elevations of 6,000 feet. Snow levels will be around 7,000 feet through Sunday morning, then lower to 6,000 feet Sunday afternoon, and 4,500 to 5,000 feet by late Sunday night into Monday morning.
The snow could impact the Monday morning commute.
Heavier rain — including some thunderstorms — is expected in other parts of California such as the counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura, the National Weather Service Los Angeles said Saturday afternoon on X.
Wind gusts north of Point Conception in Santa Barbara County could come with risks such as downed trees or powerlines. Major flooding and debris flows are unlikely, the social media post said.
Up north, the San Francisco Bay Area has already been experiencing the severe weather. Heavy rain hammered the region Saturday, and wind gusts were expected to reach up to 28 mph. The National Weather Service was advising people to allow extra time for travel because of the slippery roads.
Winter storm warnings issued in central California
Elsewhere throughout the state, the NWS issued a winter storm warning for parts of central California until 11 p.m. Sunday.
The affected areas include Devils Postpile, Cedar Grove, Johnsondale, Giant Forest, Lake Wishon, Wawona, Huntington Lake, Lake Thomas Edison, Lodgepole, Florence Lake, Tuolumne Meadows and Shaver Lake.
Parts of central California could see up to 14 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 45 mph. Visibility could drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow, the NWS says. Whiteout conditions could make travel “potentially life-threatening.”
