Wind, Rain Here To Stay This Week In Rancho Santa Margarita

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — Rain is here to stay this week with scattered showers through Monday, and returning Wednesday, the National Weather Service says. More rain and snow are on the way to Southern California, with scattered showers expected on and off this week.

In Orange County, widespread showers and thunderstorms were expected late Sunday and early Monday. Another wet-weather storm was expected to reach the area beginning Wednesday and last until next weekend.

A winter storm warning was issued for the Los Angeles County mountains from 10 p.m. Sunday to 10 p.m. Monday, according to the National Weather Service. The Santa Monica Mountains were excluded from the warning.

Heavy snow and wind were expected about 4 to 8 inches above 4,500 feet, and 2 to 4 inches between 3,000 and 4,500 feet. Gusts were expected to reach 65 mph, the NWS said. The winds, low visibility, and icy roads will make for dangerous driving conditions that could lead to road closures and travel delays, including along Interstate 5 through the Grapevine.

The weather service also warned that extended exposure to cold and wind could be life-threatening. Los Angeles County health officials issued a cold weather alert through Thursday for the mountains and Antelope Valley, and through Tuesday for the Santa Monica Mountains and the Santa Clarita Valley.

Along the coast, health officials issued a beach water use advisory expected to last until 7:30 a.m. Wednesday

A high surf advisory and coastal hazard statement are in place along the coast, according to the National Weather Service.

Expect large, short-period swells in high surf conditions through Tuesday, the NWS said.

Orange County would see waves and surf from 4 to 7 feet, with sets to 9 feet.

The surf was expected to peak Monday evening, and gradually subside into Tuesday. Strong rip currents in the ocean produced dangerous swimming conditions, while larger waves breaking closure to shore could overtop jetties and rocks near the shoreline, the NWS warned.

Beach hazards statements are in place along the coast. Ocean swimming is not recommended after the rains. Bacteria, chemicals, debris, trash, and other public health hazards from city streets and mountain areas are likely to contaminate ocean waters at and around discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers after the recent rainfall. Individuals who enter the water in these areas could become ill.

Sunday's high temperatures were around 60 in central Los Angeles, in the upper 50s in Orange County, in the mid-50s to lower 60s in most valley areas, and in the 40s and 50s in the mountains and the Antelope Valley.

Orange County saw a great deal of wind Monday, with gusts upwards of 50 miles per hour in some places through 10 p.m.

The next system moving into the Southland from the north was described by the NWS as "cold, showery and blustery." On Monday, the greatest rainfall amounts were expected across the central coast and eastern L.A. County. The amount of northwesterly flow will limit rainfall totals across Ventura County and western L.A. County.