Rain clouds gather over downtown skyline on March 31, 2024 in Los Angeles .
(
Fiona Ng
/
LAist
)
Support your source for local news!
In these challenging times, the need for reliable local reporting has never been greater. Put a value on the impact of our year-round coverage. Help us continue to highlight LA stories, hold the powerful accountable, and amplify community voices. Your support keeps our reporting free for all to use. Stand with us today.
Most of Southern California could see about half an inch of additional rain today and tonight, though the worst of this weekend's unseasonal rainstorm is behind us.
This storm has been less severe than recent rain events like this winter's atmospheric rivers, landslides and rapid onset flooding are possible throughout the region.
The area will likely be back to normal springtime weather by Tuesday, with sunny skies and highs in the 70s. But if you thought this was definitely the last storm of the season, think again: The NWS says one or two storms are possible this coming weekend.
The NWS estimates that most parts of Southern California will see rainfall totals between 1 and 3 inches throughout the weekend, with up to 6 inches total possible in the mountains and foothills.
Here are the projected rainfall totals for this weekend:
Downtown LA: 1.89"
Long Beach: 1.85"
Lancaster: 0.72"
Pomona: 2.07"
Santa Barbara: 1.82"
Ojai: 3.02"
Snowfall is also expected in the mountains, with as much as 48 inches possible in Mt. San Antonio and Snow Valley. Big Bear Lake could see a fresh coat of up to 30 inches, and Idyllwild is forecasted to get one to two inches.
Mt. Wilson will likely see a combination of rain and snow during the day, followed by a chance of showers at night. A winter storm warning has taken effect in the San Gabriel Mountains until 11 p.m. Sunday.
Evacuations and closures
Malibu Canyon Road is closed between Piuma Rd. and Pacific Coast Highway due to a rock slide. That stretch is expected to be reopened by Monday morning. For updates, go here.
In Ventura County, an evacuation order was issued at 10 a.m. Friday for the unincorporated area of Santa Paula, along Ojai/Santa Paula Road, because of sliding soil.
It's possible that Palos Verdes, Topanga Canyon, and other areas that have already seen landslides could see further movement, according to NWS meteorologist Ariel Cohen.
Along the Central Coast, a stretch of Pacific Coast Highway in Monterey County near Big Sur has closed after a landslide eroded the southbound lanes of the road. The closure affects Highway 1 between Limekiln State Park and Lime Creek in Monterey County.
Highway 1 is open from north of the Dolan Creek Bridge to south of the Rocky Creek Bridge. This slip-out has closed the highway between Palo Colorado to just south of the Rocky Creek Bridge. The one southbound lane has been impacted and may impact the one northbound lane. https://t.co/iXsJBnuuFJ
It's possible that surface streets will see some level of flooding, especially as the rain picks up in intensity. Caltrans has also advised that drivers should avoid unnecessary mountain travel owing to snow in the mountains, especially along construction zones on State Route 33.
*Storm Watch- State Route 33- Los Padres Forest* Up to 6" of snow expected in the mountains this weekend. SR-33 has six construction zones with one-lane alternating traffic control between PM 14.35 & two miles north of the summit. Avoid unnecessary mountain travel. pic.twitter.com/9OY6qPbI4N
The worst of the rain already passed through early Saturday morning, but Sunday will bring light to moderate rain across the region.
Strong cold front will bring heavy rain to SW Calif tonight-early Sat. AM. 20% chance of tstms with front will bring potential for strong-locally severe wind gusts to 60 mph, small hail, and heavy downpours. Remote risk of waterspouts/brief tornado. #LARain#LAWeatherpic.twitter.com/ZMF6EBnTFp
A high surf advisory is in effect for Los Angeles County beaches until 8 a.m. Sunday.
There's a slight chance of thunderstorms, as well as small hail and heavy downpours.
Take this storm seriously
Residents in mountain, canyon and coastal areas should prepare for debris flows and flooding over the next week.
Those in landslide prone areas like the Palos Verdes Peninsula should be on the lookout for indications of land movement, including the formation of new cracks, the fracturing of underground utilities, doors and windows falling out of plumb and sounds of creaks and groans coming from the ground.
Flood advisories are how the NWS begins to raise the alarm. The goal is to give people enough time to take action.
Flood watches are your indicators to get prepared to move.
Aflood warning is issued when a hazardous weather event is imminent or already happening. When one is issued for your area, you need to get to higher ground immediately.
A flash flood warning is issued when a flash flood is coming or in progress. Flash floods are sudden and violent floods that can start within minutes.
If you're in L.A. County and need sand bags you can find some at local fire houses.
Staying safe when the winds are high
Watch for traffic signals that may be out. Approach those intersections as four-way stops.
Make sure you have a battery-operated radio and flashlights. Check the batteries to make sure they are fresh. Use flashlights for lighting during a power outage; do not use candles because they may pose a significant fire hazard.
If you’re in a vehicle with a fallen power line on it, stay in the vehicle and remain calm until help arrives. It is OK to use your cellphone to call 911. If you must leave the vehicle, remember to exit away from downed power lines and exit by jumping from the vehicle and landing with both feet together. You must not touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Then proceed away from the vehicle by shuffling and not picking up your feet until you are several yards away.
Water and electricity don’t mix. Water is an excellent conductor of electricity. Do not step in or enter any water that a downed power line may be touching.
Do not use any equipment inside that is designed for outdoor heating or cooking. Such equipment can emit carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.
If you use a generator, place it outdoors and plug individual appliances directly into it, using a heavy-duty extension cord. Connecting generators directly to household circuits creates “backfeed,” which is dangerous to repair crews.
Leave the doors of your refrigerator and freezer closed to keep food as fresh as possible. Place blocks of ice inside to help keep food cold. Check food carefully for signs of spoilage.
Check on your neighbors to make sure everyone is safe.
Tips on staying warm
State law requires residential units to have heating systems that can keep indoor temperatures at a minimum of 70 degrees. That means every dwelling unit and guest room offered for rent or lease should offer heating equipment, usually central air conditioning (A/C) or a wall heater. — Caitlin Hernández
Use heat smartly to save money: Cranking things like the A/C and wall heaters can be expensive. If money is tight, be judicious about how and when you use your utilities. For example, only use heaters at night or only set the thermostat to around 70 degrees.
Open and close those vents: If you have central A/C, look at where the vents are around your home. Are any open in places where you don’t stay long? Practice opening and closing those so warm air only goes where you need it (most vents should have a small toggle lever). Humidifiers can also help you warm things up — and it’s useful to add moisture into our dry air.
Adjust your wall heaters: If you have a wall heater, you can change the output by adjusting the knob (usually at the bottom). Since wall heaters can only warm the areas where they’re placed, it’s essential to close doors to rooms you won’t be in so hot air doesn’t get wasted.
Turn on your ceiling fan (really): If you have a ceiling fan, try turning it on. This sounds counterintuitive, but there’s science behind it. The direction a fan turns can push air in different directions, and since hot air floats up, you’ll want to move that around. Your fan should spin clockwise to create an updraft to circulate. Not all fans will have this option, though.
This is a developing story. We fact check everything and rely only on information from credible sources (think fire, police, government officials and reporters on the ground). Sometimes, however, we make mistakes and/or initial reports turn out to be wrong. In all cases, we strive to bring you the most accurate information in real time and will update this story as new information becomes available.
Makenna Sievertson contributed reporting.
What questions do you have about the atmospheric river?
A major storm system is coming to Southern California. We're here to answer your questions.
Since 2021, volunteers have been planting Joshua tree seedlings in the Mojave Desert burn scar. The next session is slated for later this Spring, according to the National Park Service. Just like previous times, a few camels will be tagging along.
There are three main meteorological reasons why L.A. is so smoggy — all of which are affected when a rainstorm passes through and brings clearer skies.
