Cooler Temperatures, Rain Could Be Heading To Culver City

CULVER CITY, CA — After a warm, sunny day across Los Angeles County Wednesday, forecasters expect temperatures will begin to cool Thursday.

Although it was less hot Wednesday than Tuesday, a "massive cool down" starts Thursday, bringing more rain and snow to local mountains, according to the National Weather Service.

A pair of weather systems are bearing down on the region, with the first expected to arrive Thursday, and wet conditions likely to continue through Saturday.

"Clouds will be on the increase on Thursday and there will be a massive cool down," according to the National Weather Service. "Rain is likely Thursday night and Friday morning, along with mountain snow and a slight chance of thunderstorms."

Forecasters said a second, colder system will move in Saturday and continue into the evening, bringing "another chance of showers to the area."

Thursday's initial cold front will bring cloud cover to the region and drive down temperatures, with rain developing first along the Central Coast, moving into Los Angeles County by Thursday evening. The rain will taper off later Thursday night and Friday morning, although some lingering showers are possible Friday afternoon.

Rainfall totals are supposed to be relatively low, with most areas receiving a quarter- to three-quarters of an inch of rain, although the San Gabriel Mountains could get slightly more, forecasters said. There will be a slight chance of thunderstorms developing, possibly resulting in "brief heavy downpours and small hail." Snow levels will drop to 4,500 to 5,000 feet by Thursday night, with 5 to 10 inches of snow possible at higher elevations, according to the NWS.

The storm will lower temperatures by about 8 to 12 degrees on Thursday, and another 5 to 10 degrees on Friday, when temperatures will average about 10 degrees below normal, forecasters said.

Another cold front is expected to arrive by Saturday, bringing another chance of showers and more snow in the mountains. The snow level could drop as low as 3,000 feet, and temperatures will fall a few more degrees, keeping most of the region in the mid to upper 50s.

A winter storm warning will be in effect for the Los Angeles County mountains, excluding the Santa Monica range, from Thursday evening through Sunday morning.

"Plan on slipper road conditions," forecasters warned. "Road closures are possible during this event, including Interstate 5 over the Grapevine, Highway 33 through the Grapevine and Highway 2 through the San Gabriel Mountains. Roads may remain icy and impassable well after snowfall has ended."

Forecasters said conditions should begin to rebound on Sunday with clear skies. Warmer weather is expected to return by Monday.

Here are the temperatures expected in Culver City:

Wednesday Night: Patchy fog after 4 a.m. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Thursday: A 30 percent chance of rain after 4 p.m. Patchy fog before 10 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 67. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.

Thursday Night: A chance of rain before 10 p.m, then rain and possibly a thunderstorm between 10 p.m and 4 a.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4 a.m. Low around 51. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 10 a.m, then showers likely. High near 60. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 10 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Southwest wind around 10 mph.

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 10 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Breezy.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 43.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 60.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.

- City News Service and Patch Editor Nicole Charky contributed to this report.