Southern California’s Wet Weather Continues: Looking for Sunshine Soon?
As Southern California residents brace themselves for another round of rain, the end of the wet weather may finally be in sight. After a week of soggy conditions, more rain is expected to arrive on Friday, followed by a chilly and dry weekend. Meteorologists predict that the final round of rain for the week will bring between a tenth and a quarter of an inch of rain along the coast and valleys. In Santa Barbara County, rainfall totals are expected to be slightly higher, ranging from half an inch to an inch.
Mike Wofford, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard, describes the upcoming rain as more than light but not excessive. While the rain may linger into the late afternoon or early evening on Friday, there is still a chance of light rain on Monday, especially in parts of the Southland. The bulk of the moisture is expected to move north of Point Conception, according to the National Weather Service.
As the remnants of an atmospheric river head towards Northern California, Southern California will experience cold and windy conditions before transitioning back to drier weather. Forecasters warn of possible heavy snow and winds gusting up to 50 mph in the Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara county mountains. The recent series of atmospheric rivers has brought much-needed moisture to the region after a dry start to winter.
Record Rainfall and Wild Weather
The recent storms have already made a significant impact on rainfall totals across Southern California. The Cogswell Dam in Los Angeles County received 3.82 inches of rain over three days, while Beverly Hills saw 1.29 inches and downtown Los Angeles received 1.22 inches. The San Fernando Valley experienced 2.28 inches of rain in Woodland Hills and 1.60 inches in La Cañada Flintridge. Hollywood Burbank Airport even broke its previous rainfall record by a hundredth of an inch.
Despite the heavy rainfall, Thursday’s storm was not as intense as the February system that triggered mudslides and flooding. This weekend is expected to be dry but chilly, with temperatures in the mid- to high 60s in Los Angeles and Orange counties. However, another storm is forecasted to move into the region on Monday, bringing a 30% chance of light rain and gusty winds.
Looking Ahead: Sunshine on the Horizon?
While the recent wet weather has provided much-needed relief from the ongoing drought, Southern California is still several inches below normal in terms of rainfall for the water year. Downtown Los Angeles has received 7.58 inches of rain since October 1, falling short of the average of 11.96 inches for this point in the water season. Meteorologists emphasize the importance of making up for this deficit in the coming weeks to avoid ending the season below normal.
As residents prepare for the upcoming rain and potential gusty winds, meteorologists remain cautiously optimistic about the weather outlook. While the immediate forecast calls for more wet weather, the possibility of sunshine and warmer temperatures in the near future offers a glimmer of hope for those longing for a break from the rain. Stay tuned for updates as Southern California navigates the transition from a wet winter to a brighter spring ahead.
