Wind, Rain And First Snow Forecast As Cool Autumn Weather Takes Hold In SoCal

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — The first snow of the season is expected in Southern California mountains Monday night, while lower elevations are bracing for cooler temperatures, strong winds and light rain, according to the National Weather Service.

"A cold low pressure system will sweep across the region today and Tuesday. Significant cooling is expected by Tuesday, which will last through late in the week," the NWS said Monday.

Some parts of the region were hit with very light rain Monday morning, particularly in southern San Diego County — where most rain stations measured around one hundredth of an inch. There's another chance of rain overnight Tuesday, mostly in inland and mountain areas across SoCal.

The snow level is expected to drop to less than 7,000 feet tonight in the Los Angeles County mountains and 5,500 feet elsewhere in the region, which means a light dusting of snow is possible, including in the San Bernardino Mountains, according to the NWS.

Los Angeles County is expected to remain largely dry, except in areas that get snow.

Orange County and the Inland Empire are set to see 0.05 inches or less of rain. The San Diego County coast can expect 0.10 inches or less while the valleys may see around 0.25 inches on coastal mountain slopes in Orange and San Diego counties.

The autumnal weather started Monday, as temperatures at locations across the region dropped between 3 and 17 degrees compared to Sunday. It's expected to remain much cooler than last week over the next few days. Tuesday should be the coldest day, with temperatures dropping an additional few degrees, the weather service said.

Lows will drop to the high 40s to low 50s overnight along the coast, where highs will hit the mid 60s Tuesday morning.

Highs are expected to hit 70 further inland in Orange, Los Angeles and San Diego counties. They are expected to be in the mid 60s to low 70s in the Inland Empire and low to high 60s in the high desert and mid to high 70s in the low desert.

Lows overnight Tuesday into Wednesday are expected to hit the low 40s inland and high 30s to mid 40s in the Inland Empire. They are expected to drop to the teens to the mid 20s in the San Bernardino Mountains, the low 30s to high 40s in the high desert and the mid 40s to low 50s in the low desert.

The cold weather will mean patchy frost will be possible in the high desert by Wednesday morning.

But the NWS says "the most impactful weather element will remain the gusty wind."

High wind warnings and advisories are in effect until 11 a.m. Tuesday for areas including the San Bernardino, Santa Monica and San Gabriel mountains; the Apple and Lucerne valleys; the San Fernando Valley and the LA, Orange and San Diego county coast.

Winds between 15 and 30 mph are expected, with gusts of up to 60 mph expected in the windiest areas, such as the San Gorgonio Pass.

A gale warning is in effect for much of the waters off Southern California. Forecasters are warning that an elevated risk of strong rip currents will make swimming dangerous.