The Easter weekend storm expected to reach Southern California Friday evening could bring a series of dangers to the region, with weather officials warning of possible flash flooding, dangerous thunderstorms, high winds and heavy snowfall in the mountains until at least Sunday.
The most consistent and widespread precipitation is expected to begin late Friday in Los Angeles County and continue through early Saturday — a precursor to a series of less regular, but possibly heavy, showers and thunderstorms , which should last until Sunday.
“This band of fairly steady, moderate rain will move along the coast today and tonight,” Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard, said Friday. “The rain will concentrate after midnight…until 6 or 8 a.m..”
Rainfall totals for the storm are expected to range between 1 and 3 inches in most urban areas of Southern California, with up to 6 inches possible in the mountains and foothills, according to the weather service. And with much of the region still unsettled or recovering from a particularly wet winter, Kittell said the additional precipitation could have significant effects.
“Some of these showers could be quite heavy,” Kittell said. “The ground, while it may not be saturated right now, is still quite wet. … We would be surprised if we didn’t see more mudslides and landslides.”
Much of Southwest California – from coastal Malibu to downtown Los Angeles, through the San Gabriel Valley and down to the Inland Empire and coastal Orange County – is under flood watch from Friday evening to Sunday.
“Flooding from excessive rainfall remains possible,” the warning said. “Excessive runoff can lead to flooding of rivers, creeks, creeks, urban areas and other low-lying, flood-prone locations.”
The cold core of the low pressure system causing this storm is expected to move across Southern California by Saturday or Sunday, bringing a more unstable pattern of thunderstorms and heavy rain bands, Kittell said. which will lead to alternations. rain all weekend.
Depending on the strength of these storms, officials warn of possible flash flooding, with rain rates up to three-quarters of an inch per hour, as well as small hail and even a brief tornado.
“The vast majority of places won’t see anything comparable, but we wouldn’t be surprised if we see one or two brief tornadoes,” Kittell said.
Here is the latest graph of precipitation timing and intensity! Little change from previous days, except that the risk of thunderstorms increased from 10-20% to 15-25%. There is still a low risk (<10%) that a severe thunderstorm will develop. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/JvcfwIHqgO
– NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) March 29, 2024
The storm is also expected to bring significant snowfall to the Southern California mountains and southern Sierra, with winter storm warnings in effect through most of Saturday and Sunday, building on snowfall of snow already impressive this year.
Mammoth Mountain surpassed a season total of 300 inches at its main lodge this week, with several inches of new snow falling Thursday and Friday — and much more on the way.
“Total snow accumulations of 1 to 2 feet,” warns the warning for the Southern Sierra. “Elevations above 8,000 feet could see local accumulations of up to 3 feet. Winds gusting up to 50 mph.
In Southern California, similar amounts are likely above 6,000 feet, with Big Bear Mountain resorts calling for a weekend of “substantial snow.”
Los Angeles County mountains could reach 30 inches at the highest elevations, and snow is expected to make road travel “very difficult to impossible,” including through Tejon Pass, according to weather service warnings.
“It’s not a good time to go up in the mountains, there’s going to be a lot of snow,” Kittell said. “Avoid the mountains if you can until Sunday.”
The San Bernardino County Mountains are under a winter storm watch with 3 to 4 feet of snow possible on the highest peaks, according to warnings.
High winds will only intensify rain and snow problems, Kittell said, with the possibility of downed trees. A wind advisory was issued for much of the region, including coastal Orange and San Diego counties.
The storm has already canceled several holiday weekend events, and officials in Southern California are asking residents to remain vigilant.
The Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority has activated its winter housing program, which provides people living on the streets with additional motel vouchers during inclement weather. The joint city-county agency also extended its seasonal winter shelter sites through Tuesday because they were scheduled to close. Anyone in LA County in need of shelter can call 2-1-1 for assistance.
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