Skies are expected to clear Wednesday and warmer temperatures are in the forecast, but more rain is coming, with heavy storms possible on New Years Eve, according to the National Weather Service.
Light showers are possible Thursday and Friday, with heavy rain storms rolling in on Saturday in Southern California. By New Year’s Day, it should start drying out.
Light rain fell across much of the Southland Tuesday, beginning several days of off-and-on precipitation expected to continue through the weekend.
Rain began falling in the Los Angeles area early Tuesday afternoon, although the precipitation was generally light across most of the region. Forecasters said the rain was only expected to amount to a half-inch to 1 inch along the coasts and valleys, with 1 to 2 inches possible in the mountains and foothills.
Residents living near recent burn areas were advised to take the usual precautions in case debris flows develop from the rain.
The rain was expected to taper off Wednesday morning, with mostly sunny conditions anticipated along with “near normal temperatures.”
New Year’s Day, however, was shaping up to be mostly sunny in the afternoon, with a slight chance of showers in the morning.
“Snow levels will be well above the major mountain passes for most of the precipitation,” according to the NWS.
North-facing slopes could see light snow as low as 4,000 feet, including over the Grapevine, “but any snow that does fall there should be brief, non-accumulating, and minimally impactful,” according to the NWS.
Wind gusts in the 30-to-45 mph range are expected in the mountains and interior valleys, but no winter weather advisories were issued for the region.
Early forecasts for next week suggest another storm coming into the area, with three more days of possible rain from Jan. 3-5.