A wet start to 2026 is expected in the Southland, with periods of light to moderate rain likely Wednesday through Saturday from Los Angeles County to San Luis Obispo County, the National Weather Service forecast Sunday.
The “most likely outcome for storm totals would be” 1 to 3 inches of rain for coasts and valleys and 3 to 5 inches for south-to-southwest-facing foothills and mountains, with potential for additional rockslide and mudslide activity, especially on mountains and canyon roadways, according to the weather service.
Moderate to strong Santa Ana winds will impact typical wind corridors of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Tuesday, peaking in strength Sunday night through Monday, according to the weather service.
There will be a high risk for downed trees due to the very wet soils, as well as hazardous boating conditions for nearshore waters.
“Damaging gusts” from 55 to 85 mph are forecast by the weather service for the Los Angeles County mountains and Santa Susana Mountains, with guests of 35-55 mph in the remaining wind corridors of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Gusts of 25 to 35 knots are forecast for nearshore waters from Ventura to Santa Monica.
A “slight weakening” of the winds is forecast for Tuesday.
There is a 77% chance of rain in Pasadena for New Year’s Eve and 98% on New Year’s Day, according to The Weather Channel.
Monday’s forecast highs in Los Angeles County include 71 in Woodland Hills, 70 in downtown Los Angeles and Avalon, 69 at Los Angeles International Airport, Long Beach, Burbank and San Gabriel, 63 in Saugus, 58 in Lancaster and 56 in Palmdale.
Orange County forecast highs include 72 in Anaheim and Fullerton, 71 in Irvine and Yorba Linda, 70 in Mission Viejo and San Clemente, 69 in Newport Beach, 68 in Laguna Beach,
“Santa Ana winds are also known for creating very warm temperatures due to the downsloping effects off the mountains but in this case there is quite a bit of cold air advection that will likely minimize the warming, especially inland,” according to the weather service.
Evacuation centers opened across Los Angeles County for last week’s rainstorms were closed Sunday.
Red Cross LA closed the following shelters as of Sunday:
— Stoner Recreation Center, 1835 Stoner Ave., West Los Angeles;
— West Ranch High School, 26255 Valencia Blvd., Stevenson Ranch;
— Santa Anita Family YMCA, 501 Mountain Ave., Monrovia; and
— Marie Kerr Recreation Center, 2723-A W. Rancho Vista Blvd., Palmdale.
The storms set multiple rainfall records across Los Angeles County. According to Mayor Karen Bass, the Los Angeles Fire Department deployed teams to five river rescue incidents, the Los Angeles Police Department responded to more than 520 traffic accidents, and city crews received requests for more than 750 tree emergencies, including downed trees and fallen branches.
A rare tornado was recorded in Boyle Heights, and a body was found Friday in a partially submerged car following heavy flooding in an isolated area of Lancaster.