For the latest on Southern California weather, follow the National Weather Service's Los Angeles office on Twitter @NWSLosAngeles. To read about the aftermath of this storm, check out our story Southland Storm Leaves Wake of Damage, Broken Records.
A powerful storm is heading our way, bringing rain, wind and snow to Southern California.
Monday night and Tuesday morning (Dec. 13 and 14), we can expect up to three inches of rainfall in coastal areas and the valleys. Mountains and foothill areas could receive up to six inches of rain. Above 7,000 feet, most of that precipitation will arrive as snow, up to three feet of it. It all depends on the amount of moisture in the storm system.
It will also be cold. Temperatures today will be in the mid to upper 50s in coastal and valley areas. Tuesday night, temps could dip into the lower 40s and 30s in the mountains and part of the San Fernando Valley. In the Antelope Valley, it will get even colder with temperatures dropping into the 20s.
Storms like these aren't unusual for this time of year but these temperatures are below normal. In downtown L.A., normal temperatures for this time of year are 67 degrees.
“We’re gonna be well below normal for the next couple of days,” says Richard Thompson, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service.
These are our updated expected rain totals. Rain will progress from NW to SE across the area. Here are the times to expect the heavier rain:
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) December 13, 2021
SLO Co. noon-mid Mon
SBA Co. 6pm Mon - 6am Tue
VTA Co. mid-noon Tue
LA Co. 3am-3pm Tue#CAwx #SoCal #LArain pic.twitter.com/4e9t84Esmx
Along with the snow, we can expect southeasterly winds up to 65 miles per hour in the mountains and 40 miles per hour across the coastal and valley areas late tonight and tomorrow.
The heavy rain will last until Tuesday as light showers are expected in the evening.
Things will dry up on Wednesday.
“There’s enough chance of a weak system Thursday and Friday, but that system as it does come to fruition will be nowhere near what we’re going to experience tonight and tomorrow,” Thompson said.
L.A. County will be under a flash flood watch in effect Tuesday.
Authorities are asking residents to survey their properties and make sure they’re safe from floodwaters, says Brian Humphrey, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department.
“Sometimes a simple task, such as removing endangered items from low lying areas is all that is necessary,” Humphrey says. “Cleaning drains, gutters, and downspouts can clearly make a difference when the sky begins to rain.”
Residents can receive up to 25 free sandbags at their local fire station.
Stay safe, stay cozy, Southern California.
