Laguna Niguel Rain Returns, Temperatures Drop Amid Spring Storm

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA — The super saturated coast and inland communities will see more rain starting overnight, the National Weather Service announced. Rain was expected shortly after midnight and another wave would start late Wednesday and last into Thursday.

National Weather Service forecasters said the rain will reach Orange County sometime between midnight and 3 a.m.

In Laguna Niguel, the rain could be heavy at times. Wednesday's high temperatures were expected to dip to 59 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. South wind around 15 mph becoming west in the morning, and winds could gust as high as 20 mph, they said. The chance of precipitation is 80% with new precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

"This first band of rain will be steady but fairly short-lived, around six hours, and generally on the lighter side, mostly a tenth of an inch per hour or less, though locally up to a quarter-inch per hour in the foothills and mountains," according to the NWS.

After the first round of rain, the region will enjoy a break for about six to eight hours, followed by a "colder and more unstable portion" of the storm system that will arrive late Wednesday and stretch into Thursday morning.

"This will be more showery in nature but with higher rain rates and possible thunderstorms," according to the NWS.

A winter storm warning will be in effect from 4 a.m. Wednesday until 2 p.m. Thursday in the eastern San Gabriel Mountains, with 6 to 12 inches of snow possible above 5,000 feet. Forecasters said some higher peaks could see up to 18 inches, with the snow accompanied by winds gusting up to 45 mph.

The western San Gabriel Mountains and Antelope Valley (14) Freeway corridor will be under a winter weather advisory from 4 a.m. Wednesday until 2 p.m. Thursday, with 4 to 8 inches of snow possible above 5,000 feet. The advisory will also be in place during the same hours for the Golden State (5) Freeway corridor in northern Los Angeles County, where an inch of snow could fall on the Grapevine.

"Other high elevation roads in this area above 6,000 feet may see light snow accumulations as early as Tuesday morning," according to the NWS.

The storm system is expected to move out of the area by late Thursday, with dry but cool conditions anticipated for Friday and the weekend.

In Laguna Niguel, expect the following conditions:

Tonight
A chance of rain after 11pm. Increasing clouds, with a low around 49. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday
Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 59. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night
A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. West wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Friday
Partly sunny, with a high near 62.

Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.