News Summary

This week, Los Angeles is anticipating light rain and a chance of thunderstorms following last week’s intense storm. While the likelihood of rainfall is low, particularly in coastal areas, interior valleys and mountains may see more precipitation. Previous storms have highlighted the fire risks associated with dry lightning, although the upcoming weather event is not expected to be as severe. A flood watch remains in effect for local areas, and commuters are advised to prepare for hazardous driving conditions.

Los Angeles

Parts of the Los Angeles region are expected to see light rain this week, with a slight chance of thunderstorms, following an intense storm that occurred last week. The National Weather Service reports a 10% chance of rainfall across Los Angeles County on Tuesday night, which will decrease to 5% on Wednesday. Interior valleys and mountainous areas are expected to receive the most rain, while coastal areas have only a slight chance of precipitation. Conditions during this weather event are not expected to be as severe as last week’s storm, which produced powerful winds and heavy downpours.

There is a slight chance of thunderstorms, particularly in the mountainous regions of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, with the possibility of thunderstorm activity expanding toward the Grapevine area near the 5 Freeway. Areas that experience thunderstorms may also run the risk of isolated dry lightning, which has the potential to start fires. Meteorologists note that dry lightning occurs when dry air exists near the ground during a thunderstorm.

Additionally, virga, or rain that evaporates before it reaches the ground, may occur during this storm. When virga is accompanied by dry lightning, it poses an increased fire risk. Fortunately, the probability of dry lightning is considered low for the upcoming storm. Last week’s rainfall has temporarily reduced the immediate threat of fires; however, Southern California is expected to remain in dry conditions through the winter months due to the return of La Niña conditions.

La Niña Impact

La Niña is associated with drought conditions in Southern California, as stated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The current La Niña phenomenon has been linked to last winter’s dry conditions that sparked significant fires in the area, including those in Palisades and Altadena communities. The U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that Southern California continues to be at high risk for fire and severe drought as La Niña persists.

Previous Storm Details

Last week, an atmospheric river storm affected Los Angeles, resulting in scattered downpours and prompting concerns about flooding. Evacuation warnings were issued in areas impacted by January’s wildfires, specifically targeting burn scars from the Palisades fire, Eaton fire in Altadena, Hurst fire in Sylmar, and Sunset fire in Hollywood Hills. Rainfall totals from this storm were significant, with Bel-Air receiving 2.17 inches, Beverly Hills with 2.10 inches, downtown Los Angeles at 1.27 inches, and Woodland Hills receiving 3.28 inches. Downtown Los Angeles experienced over an inch of rain in a single day for the first time in October since 2009, helping delay the fire season for several weeks or possibly months.

Warnings and Traffic

As a precaution, meteorologists warned of slick roads and hazardous driving conditions due to runoff from last week’s storm, with the California Highway Patrol reporting over 800 calls for vehicle accidents in Los Angeles County. Prior to the new storm, a flood watch was issued for Los Angeles County and other regions in Southern California. The flood watch is set to remain in effect from 8 p.m. on Monday through 3 p.m. on Tuesday, with Monday night marking the anticipated arrival of rain, likely complicating driving conditions for Tuesday morning commuters. The storm is expected to be short-lived, with clearer weather predicted for later in the week.

In a related event, firefighters recently rescued a dog stranded in a flood channel during last week’s storm, successfully retrieving a female dog of an estimated 3 years, likely a French bulldog. The ongoing weather developments in the Los Angeles area highlight the volatility of conditions as they continue to change rapidly.

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Additional Resources

• Los Angeles Times: More Rain Could Be on the Way
• Wikipedia: Weather in California
• NBC Los Angeles: Rain Coming to Southern California
• Google Search: Southern California Weather
• The Weather Channel: 10-Day Weather Forecast for Los Angeles
• Google Scholar: California Rain Forecast
• New York Times: California Storms Rain Forecast
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Rain
• Fox LA: LA Weather Tornado Threat Rain Mudslides
• Google News: Los Angeles Weather

Author: STAFF HERE HOLLYWOOD

The Hollywood Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHollywood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hollywood, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Hollywood Bowl summer concerts, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, film premieres at TCL Chinese Theatre, and festivals at the Magic Castle. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Visit Hollywood, plus leading businesses in entertainment, dining, and tourism that define the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HEREAnaheim.com, and HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.