OC Sees Fog, Rain while LA Gears Up for Fire Weather

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — In Orange County, a dense fog advisory was in effect until 9 a.m. Monday. Cloudy skies and scattered showers were forecast for Tuesday morning.

Highs Tuesday will range from 78 in San Clemente; 79 in Newport Beach; 80 in Laguna Beach; 96 in Anaheim, Irvine and Mission Viejo; 87 in Rancho Santa Margarita; and 90 in Yorba Linda. Orange County temperatures will decline slightly starting Tuesday but inch up again starting Saturday. By Sunday, they'll generally be back at today's levels.

Rising humidity levels and diminishing winds prompted forecasters today to lift warnings of possible wildfires in Los Angeles County mountains today, although a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms will linger through Wednesday.

Some parts of the Southland were actually doused with rain by early this afternoon.

A red flag warning indicating a high risk of wildfire had been effect this morning in the Los Angeles County mountains and the Angeles National Forest, but the warning was lifted at noon. The National Weather Service initially announced that a less serious fire weather watch would be in place this afternoon, but forecasters canceled it in light of changing conditions.

Single-digit humidity levels in the area recovered into the 20s and 30s late this morning, with temperatures expected in the 80s and 90s, forecasters said.

Although "critical" fire conditions have diminished, forecasters noted that residents should still be aware of a slightly elevated threat of fires, due primarily to higher-than-usual temperatures and periods of onshore winds.

"There is a slight chance of thunderstorms across the Los Angeles and Ventura county mountains each afternoon through Wednesday," according to the NWS. "The greatest threat of isolated dry lightning strikes and gusty erratic winds will be at the leading edge of this moisture surge today. Then wetting rains are expected tonight through Wednesday."

Some metro areas were doused with rain this afternoon as storm clouds pushed through, with precipitation reported in communities including Hollywood, Northridge, Long Beach and downtown Los Angeles.

The NWS forecast cloudy skies today and highs of 79 in Avalon; 84 at LAX; 88 in Long Beach; 89 in downtown L.A. and on Mount Wilson; 91 in San Gabriel; 92 in Burbank; 93 in Saugus; 95 in Pasadena and Palmdale; and 97 in Woodland Hills and Lancaster. Highs will be a few degrees lower Tuesday and drop again starting Wednesday but start climbing again Saturday.

City News Service