Light rain generated by the first of two back-to-back storms expected in California doused the Southland early today amid fears that rainfall through Wednesday coming so soon after last week’s drenching could unleash mud slides in areas previously stripped bare by wildfire.
The two weather systems, including the second storm, which is expected later today, will cause high surf and strong rip currents, according to National Weather Service forecasters, who said a high surf advisory will be in effect along the Los Angeles County Coast until 3 Wednesday afternoon.
The first and weaker storm spread rain across the Central Coast late Monday afternoon before reaching the Southland. In the mountains, where 40-mile-per-hour wind gusts are expected, snow levels will remain near or above 6,000 feet, forecasters said.
The volume of rain generated by the first storm appeared to be negligible. The second storm is expected to produce between a half-inch and an inch of rain in coastal and valley areas, and between one and two inches in the mountains and foothills, an NWS statement said. Both storms together are expected to produce less rainfall then the system that hit the region last week.
The snow level will fall to around 5,000 feet by tonight, though snowfall at even lower levels is possible, according to the NWS, and showers are expected to continue through Wednesday afternoon.
“Potential impacts will include slick roadways with localized ponding of water possible in low-lying urban areas, winter driving conditions on mountain roads and possible snowfall on the higher elevations of the Grapevine Tuesday night into Wednesday,” the statement said, adding that “minor debris flows will be possible in and near burn areas…”
The second storm may produce heavy rainfall in some areas and isolated thunderstorms, according to the NWS. It will lower the snow level to around 5,500 feet by early Wednesday.
In Glendora, where mandatory evacuations were temporarily imposed last week for residents near the Colby Fire burn area, city officials were again bracing for the possibility of debris flows. The city Monday issued a yellow alert, imposing parking restrictions and directing residents to remove vehicles and other obstacles from streets, but no new evacuations were ordered.
Temperatures today are expected to be in the mid 50s in the Antelope and Santa Clarita Valley and the low 60s most everywhere else in the Greater Los Angeles area.
