Grab Your Umbrella! Rain Likely In Rancho Santa Margarita

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA —A weak storm will move through the Orange County region Saturday and Sunday, with more rain to come early next week, according to the National Weather Service. The atmospheric river event will generate periods of moderate to heavy rain through Thursday afternoon, they said.

Light scattered showers Saturday were expected across the southland, according to the National Weather Service. Orange County residents can expect moderate showers of under a quarter-inch, according to NWS Spokesperson Alexander Tardy.

Light rain was expected Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon, he said. The weak storm system will cool temperatures, and generate snow upwards of 5,000 feet, he said.

"The atmospheric river event will remain on track for late Monday through Tuesday," according to Tardy. Thunderstorms were possible in that event on Monday night into Tuesday morning.

Those storm cells could produce locally heavier precipitation and increased chance of flash flooding, and were expected over mountain areas.

The most torrential rain heading our way will occur on Tuesday and into Wednesday, but a warmer storm, snow levels will be much higher, Tardy said.

Winter weather will strike with snow falling above the 8,000-foot line on Tuesday in the San Bernardino and Riverside County mountains, and lower to 6,500 or 7,000 feet on Wednesday and Thursday.

The storm was being tracked by the National Weather Service, who said the amount of rain could change along with the flow of that atmospheric river, which would influence rain amounts and severity in any given area.