LA's Warm November Is Going From Record Highs To Rain

It's fall in Los Angeles, despite what the thermometers and your phones say.

This week started with elevated fire danger and set new high temperature records across SoCal.

Even though it may seem warm this deep into the fall season, it's not uncommon to break regional temperature records in November, according to Kaily Delerme, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

"We can see record breaking temperatures this time of year just because of the Santa Ana winds," she told LAist. That's because when those winds blow cool desert air down from the mountains, it compresses, warming the air in the area.

But starting Tuesday night, cooler and wetter weather will move into the region.

The first storm of the season isn't expected to be a deluge -- NWS forecasters say about a quarter to ¾ of an inch will fall in L.A. County -- but the heaviest rainfall is expected in the San Gabriel Mountains. Some of our taller local mountains could even get some snow.

"We should start seeing some light showers start to move across the L.A. area... late tonight into [Wednesday], Delerme said. "Then it'll be kind of on-and-off rain through the day tomorrow and into Thursday and there's still possibility for showers to linger even into Friday."

We all know that rain makes roads slick, increasing the rate of collisions and slowing traffic even more, so brace yourselves, L.A.

And while rainy weather generally brings the threat of mudslides and debris flows, particularly in recent wildfire burn zones, Delerme said that at this point, forecasters aren't expecting the downpour to be strong enough to cause concern.

This week will also bringhigh surf and strong rip currents along the central and southern California coast. Waves from 4 to 8 feet are expected in L.A. County.

"The main threat with these swells will be an increased threat of drowning due to strong rip currents," NWS officials said, advising swimmers to stay in areas near a lifeguard.