News Summary
Southern California is preparing for a weekend of thunderstorms and a drop in temperatures as a low-pressure system moves through the region. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for possible flash flooding and debris flows, particularly in wildfire-affected areas. Rain and gusty winds are expected, with cooler temperatures projected to remain through mid-May. Residents are advised to stay informed on local weather updates as conditions may change rapidly.
Los Angeles – Southern California is bracing for a weekend of thunderstorms and unexpected cold weather as a low-pressure system is set to move through the region, bringing potential instability and precipitation. This weather shift follows a period of mild conditions experienced earlier in the week.
The National Weather Service is warning of the possibility of showers and thunderstorms, particularly in the mountainous areas. As the system progresses eastward into Arizona, the risk of flash flooding and debris flows in areas that have previously experienced wildfires remains a significant concern.
Another low-pressure system is anticipated to enter the area on Saturday, which will exacerbate the chances of rain. The coastal regions may see light rain or drizzle, particularly on Saturday morning and possibly lingering into Sunday.
Forecasts indicate that precipitation will be most intense in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, although total accumulations are expected to remain low, ranging between one-tenth and one-fourth of an inch. Showers are predicted to develop at elevations around 5,500 feet in mountainous and interior regions by Sunday, with some areas receiving up to 0.50 inch of rain and snow accumulation of approximately 2 to 5 inches.
Wind conditions will also contribute to the unsettled weather, with gusts forecasted to reach 25 to 45 mph in coastal areas, particularly over the Central Coast and in southwest Santa Barbara. Interior valleys, mountains, and desert regions may experience gusts of up to 35 mph.
Temperatures are projected to fall substantially by Sunday, dropping to the 60- to 70-degree range, which is about 10 degrees below normal for this time of year. An upper-level trough is expected to sustain these cooler-than-average temperatures across the region until at least mid-May. This unusual influx of unstable weather is attributed to the storm flow being cut off from the main storm track, allowing it to penetrate deeper into California than is typical for the month of May.
The overall weekend weather forecast suggests an evening of light rain on Saturday that may continue into Sunday morning. Rain totals for the weekend are predicted to range from one-tenth to one-quarter inch, while mountain elevations around 6,500 feet may see light snowfall.
For specific locations within the area, Los Angeles and Orange counties can expect morning drizzle, with projected highs around 67 degrees and lows around 56 degrees. Coastal areas anticipate maximum temperatures of 63 degrees and minimums of 54 degrees on Saturday. The valleys and the Inland Empire region are likely to experience similar weather patterns.
Mountain areas will face a significant temperature drop, with expected highs of 61 degrees on Saturday and a decrease to the mid-40-degree range by Sunday. Desert areas may see gusty winds, with Saturday highs approximating 75 degrees under partly sunny skies and a slight chance of rain on Sunday.
Residents in Southern California are advised to prepare for the incoming weather, particularly in areas prone to flooding and debris flows. Keeping track of local weather reports is recommended as conditions may change rapidly over the weekend.
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Additional Resources
- ABC7: Los Angeles Weather
- Wikipedia: Weather
- KTLA: Weekend Weather Threat
- Google Search: Southern California Weather
- LA Times: Thunderstorms and Cold Weather
- Google Scholar: California Weather Forecast
- Fox LA: Wind and Rain Forecast
- Encyclopedia Britannica: California Weather
- Merced Sun-Star: Weather News
- Google News: California Thunderstorms