A storm system is moving out of the area Friday but not before dropping 1.5 inches of rain in some areas, and creating blustery conditions in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
Dry and warmer conditions are in the forecast Friday and will continue through the weekend. Another storm system is on the horizon bringing more rain and snow to the region next week.
Rain totals in L.A. County over the past two days are between a quarter and thee-quarters of an inch. Some areas reported up to 1.5 inches, mostly in mountain communities.
Rain began falling in some coastal areas during the Wednesday morning rush hour, with the system then spreading slowly inland. “Steady rain” lingered in the evening hours in much of Los Angeles County, but overall rain totals were relatively low, according to the National Weather Service.
More showers entered the region on Thursday, with the strongest rainfall in the afternoon and evening hours, when there was a slight chance of thunderstorms.
“Even though less rain will fall during the day — generally a tenth to a quarter-inch, locally a half-inch — the local rainfall rates could approach a half-inch per hour under thunderstorms or convective bursts,” forecasters said.
Snow levels dropped to about 4,000 feet Wednesday night, and down to around 3,500 feet Thursday. As much as 2 inches of snow is possible in the Grapevine area on Thursday, “but there is a greater chance of just snow in the air with less than inch accumulations,” according to the NWS.
Due to the anticipated snow, a winter storm warning will be in effect through 7 a.m. Friday in the eastern San Gabriel Mountains, with forecasters saying as much as a foot of snow could fall above 6,000 feet, and up to 15 inches above 7,000 feet. Around 6 inches are expected as low as 3,500 feet. Winds could also gust up to 50 mph.
A less-severe winter weather advisory will be in effect during the same hours in the western San Gabriel Mountains and the Golden State (5) and Antelope Valley (14) freeway corridors.
“Travel could be very difficult,” according to the NWS. “The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday morning and evening commutes. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.”
Most areas will have temperatures in the mid-50s Thursday.
Rainy conditions will taper off by Thursday night, forecasters said.
“Dry and warmer weather expected Friday through the weekend, then another series of storm systems will bring more rain and mountain snow to the region next week,” according to the NWS.
Los Angeles County public works crews were mobilized due to the rainy forecast to ensure flood-control systems were prepared. County officials warned that some streets could be flooded or blocked by debris, particularly in recent burn zones.
The city of Sierra Madre issued evacuation warnings that will be in effect until 6 a.m. Friday for “high-risk areas.” Residents were urged to visit project.genasys.com/search to review evacuation warnings in their neighborhoods.