Back-To-Back Storms To Hit SoCal; Mudslides, Flooding Possible

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Following a sunny weekend, another pair of storm systems could bring varying bouts of heavy downpour, mudslides, lightning and thunderstorms to parts of Southern California possibly through Friday, weather officials said Monday.

"One more sunny day today with above normal temperatures before a series of storms brings periods of rain, mountain snow, and much colder temperatures through much of the week," the National Weather Service said Monday.

Although the first storm is expected to have a lighter impact on the region, the second storm could be the most intense system the Southland has seen this year — though that isn’t saying much, given that it follows one of the driest starts to a wet season on record, NWS forecasters said at a Monday afternoon briefing.

The first storm will arrive in parts of the Southland on Monday night.

Weather officials said the "closed low-pressure system" is forecast to arrive Monday night into Tuesday, bringing light rain, scattered showers and gusty southeasterly winds, particularly along the coast south of Point Conception.

Forecasters noted that these types of storms tend to be unpredictable, making it difficult to pinpoint which areas will see the most rainfall.

The highest precipitation totals from this system are expected in eastern and southeastern Los Angeles County, where up to half an inch of rain could accumulate. Snow levels will remain high, with up to three inches possible above 4,500 feet, forecasters said.

The more powerful second storm will follow Wednesday into Thursday, ushering in colder temperatures, widespread rain, and potentially heavy snowfall in the mountains.

The weather service issued a flood watch from 6 p.m. Wednesday through 6 p.m. Thursday from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles County. Rain could fall up to 1 inch per hour in some areas, posing a risk of urban flooding and mudslides, particularly in areas that were scarred by recent wildfires.

The Palisades and Eaton scars are among the highest concerns for the potential flood watch.

"This system looks very cold, with potential for significant mountain snow and low snow levels," forecasters said.

A winter storm watch will be in effect from 4 p.m. Wednesday to noon Friday, with moderate to heavy rain expected and up to two feet of snow possible in areas above 6,500 feet. The Grapevine and other mountain passes may see travel disruptions amid snow and ice accumulation.

Rainfall totals for the second storm are expected to range from 1 to 2 inches in lower elevations and up to 4 inches in the mountains and foothills. That storm could also bring thunderstorms, with a 10 to 20 percent chance of lightning and small hail Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

"This is definitely the storm to watch out for," weather officials said, noting that it could bring strong gusty winds blowing 60 mph in the mountains, which could cause hazardous driving conditions.

While conditions should clear by Friday, another weak system could bring more rain over the weekend.

The storms follow a sunny weekend book-ended by another set of storms that brought much needed precipitation to the dry region — which fell back into drought conditions this season. And March might just bring more hope for the Southland to inch further away from its dry spell.

Forecasters say Southern California has now entered a wetter pattern, with another cold storm possibly arriving early next week.

Southern California is emerging from the driest start to a normal rainy season in the area's history. Although a handful of atmospheric rivers and small storm systems arrived in February, the region has plunged back into varying degrees of drought.

However, forecasters say there's still hope for significant rain to fall in March, which is typically one of the wettest months of the year.