Heavy Rain, Flooding Forecast for Southern California

By City News Service

A powerful winter storm is expected to bring significant rainfall to the area with totals ranging anywhere between half an inch to up to three inches in the southwest-facing foothills and mountains. Up to two inches of rainfall is expected in Los Angeles County.

According to the National Weather Service, there is a chance of thunderstorms, which could produce intense rainfall rates that may lead to flash flooding and mudslides in recently burned areas.

“Peak rainfall rates may exceed one-half inch per hour during this period bringing the potential for flash flooding with mud and debris flows in and near recently burned areas,’’ according to a weather service statement.

A flash flood watch for these areas was issued from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today.

High elevation snow and a slight chance of thunderstorms were forecast for Sunday morning through the evening hours with damaging winds raking some areas overnight into Monday, according to the weather service.

Gusts up to 60 mph were forecast for mountain areas and up to 50 mph for coastal and valley regions, raising the fear of downed trees and power lines and power outages.

Most of the rainfall should exit the region by this evening or early Monday with rain and snow showers lingering in some mountain areas, forecasters said.

Snow levels will be around 7,000 feet, dropping to as low as 5,500 feet by late today, according to the National Weather Service. As cold air moves into the region tonight, snow levels could drop as low as 2,500 on some mountain slopes with minor accumulations in the Grapevine area, according to the NWS.

Icy conditions and high winds should be expected on Interstate 5 tonight into Monday morning and a winter storm warning has been issued for that period in the Los Angeles and Ventura county mountains.

High surf was expected to subside in Los Angeles County early today, but rise again later in the day, with breakers up to nine feet forecast by late today, building to as high as 10 feet by Monday. A high surf advisory was in
effect for the period covering 10 p.m. today to 3 a.m. Tuesday.

Surf as high as 15 feet was expected on the west side of Catalina Island, according to the NWS.

Beach erosion and strong rip currents posing a serious drowning risk were likely, forecasters said.

Drier conditions and warmer temperatures are expected next week.