Another sunny and warm day is on tap for Thursday across most of the Southland, although it’ll be a few degrees cooler than Wednesday, but the region is in for a major change by early next week, with Tropical Storm Hilary expected to bring widespread rainfall.
A lingering high pressure system will keep things generally warm through Saturday, but things will be cooling gradually each day. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures on Thursday will drop by about five degrees in most areas compared to Wednesday, but still hovering around triple digits in the western San Fernando Valley. By Saturday, temperatures will be about two to five degrees below normal in most areas, although still comfortably warm.
The big change is expected to come Sunday, with Hilary moving north along the coast of Baja California. The exact track of the storm is still a bit in flux, so it’s impacts are still unclear, but forecasters said heavy rain is likely across most of the region.
“The official rain total forecast currently is around 1 to 2 inches area-wide Sunday through Tuesday but with the potential for much higher — or lower — amounts depending on the actual (storm) track,” according to the NWS. “The potential exists for isolated flooding and residents, particularly near burn scars should monitor the situation closely. The most likely period for the heaviest rain is later Sunday into Monday, though again the speed and track of the storm will impact the timing and rain intensity.”
The rain could potentially be accompanied by gusty winds, particularly Sunday into Sunday night.
“Another potential impact will be the increase in south to southeast swells this weekend which could be high enough to create significant issues at south facing harbors like Avalon and Long Beach, and even as far north as Morro Bay and Port San Luis along the Central Coast,” according to the NWS.
“The storm is currently expected to exit the area by Tuesday but lingering southeast flow aloft will keep at least a chance of showers going through the end of next week.”