Chilly Temps, Storm In Santa Monica Thanksgiving Week

SANTA MONICA, CA — As you're cooking your Thanksgiving feast, you might want to consider turning up the oven because Southern California is going to experience unusually cold temperatures, along with rain and snow this week.

A midweek storm will make for a soggy Thanksgiving, and possibly complicate travel plans as a record number of people are expected to drive and fly for the holiday week and weekend. Shoppers will need to bundle up before heading out on Black Friday, too.

A major storm expected to hit Southern California Wednesday and last through Friday, the National Weather Service warned Sunday.

"Though exact timing remains uncertain, confidence is high that widespread rain, heavy at times, will affect the region for the holidays," the NWS said.

A coastal flood advisory was issued in the Southland from 6 a.m. Monday to 10 a.m. Tuesday due to expected tidal overflow.

Strong winds and slightly cooler temperatures are expected Monday. A high wind warning is in effect from noon to 3 a.m. Tuesday for northwest winds across the mountains and the Antelope Valley. Gusts could get as high as 60 mph, according to the NWS.

Tuesday is expected to see continued cooling and increased clouds ahead of the major thrust of the storm, which forecasters say will hit the area overnight, bringing heavy rainfall Wednesday and Thursday. One to two inches of rain are expected along the coast and valleys and up to three inches in the mountains and foothills.

The NWS Monday morning issued a winter storm watch for the San Gabriel Mountains from late Tuesday night through late Thursday night. During that time, "travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could result in temporary road closures, including on Interstate 5 through the Grapevine. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches," according to an NWS statement.

The NWS said there was the potential for road closures later in the week due to possible snow and ice on the I-5 Grapevine. The rain is expected to clear Friday, but temperatures will remain cool through the weekend.

Santa Monica Weather Forecast:

This Afternoon
Sunny, with a high near 64. Southwest wind around 10 mph.

Tonight
Clear, with a low around 50. Breezy, with a north wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 64. North northeast wind around 10 mph becoming southwest in the morning.

Tuesday Night
Increasing clouds, with a low around 51. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday
Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 11am. High near 58. Breezy, with a west southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Wednesday Night
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 47. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Thanksgiving Day
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 52. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Thursday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Friday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Breezy.

Friday Night
A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. Breezy.

Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.

Saturday Night
A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.

City News Service contributed to this post