Rain Expected on Sunday as Winter Storm Approaches

Rain may fall on Sunday's Auto Club 400 race in Fontana, as a Pacific storm is expected to roll into the Southland Sunday, according to today's National Weather Service forecasts.

A winter storm may be timed to disrupt the big car race, which is supposed to start at 12:15 p.m. That's exactly when the NWS expects Sunday's storm, which could bring 1 or 2 inches of rain to the basins and valleys.

Rain and snow will start Saturday night with the snow level starting at about 7,000 feet and then lowering to 5,500 feet. That means no snow is expected on the Grapevine, or in the Antelope Valley.

But scattered local thunderstorms may drop snow as low as 4,500 above sea level Sunday, the NWS cautioned.

Higher elevations could see 10-16 inches of snow, and mountaintops above 7,000 feet may see as much as 20 inches of snow. High winds -- up to 45 mph -- may cause blizzard conditions.

For Los Angeles, moderate to heavy rains are expected to begin late Saturday, with a slight chance of thunderstorms Sunday, the NWS reported. Lows will be near 50 and south winds will be blowing around 15 mph at night.

Valley areas can expect increasing clouds and southwest winds around 15 mph tonight, with moderate to heavy rainfall beginning Sunday and a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.

The forecast for the Santa Monica Mountains area is about the same, with increasing clouds tonight and lows in the 40s and lower 50s, rain Sunday -- heavy at times -- and a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Sunday night's showers will come along with lows in the upper 30s and 40s with south winds 10 to 20 mph.

A winter storm warning remains in effect from 11 a.m. Sunday to 11 a.m. Monday in the Los Angeles County area.

Snow accumulations between 10 and 16 inches are likely at about 5,500 feet, perhaps as low as 4,500 feet in some mountain locations. Up to 20 inches of snow are possible above 7,000 feet.

Orange County coastal areas will be under a wind advisory in effect from noon until 8 p.m. Sunday. The forecast there includes lows 46 to 53 with light winds and a chance of rain Sunday morning then into the afternoon, light winds becoming south 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph in the afternoon and widespread showers Sunday night. Weather officials expect heavy rainfall in the evening.

— City News Service