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L.A. Braces For Potential Thunderstorms, Flash Flood Watch In Place
(Photo by Julia Wick/LAist)
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If, as James M. Cain once wrote, we only have two kinds of weather in California—magnificent and unusual—then Angelenos should brace for the unusual.
A surfeit of monsoonal moisture in the area could bring thunderstorms, short but heavy downpours, and even possible flash flooding to Los Angeles Wednesday. It will also be hot AF, with downtown slated to reach 93 degrees and triple digit temps in the valleys.
Temperatures are expected to be 20-30 degrees ABOVE NORMAL today from California to Washington, close to record levels☀️🌡️#cawx #orwx #wawx pic.twitter.com/4fl2gOSQgG
— National Weather Service (@NWS) August 2, 2017
As the day warms up, there's a potential for thunderstorms to develop pretty much everywhere in L.A. county, according to Jayme Laber, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service. The storms could happen "across the mountains, deserts, even into the valleys and potentially even along the coast," Laber said.
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The thunderstorms, if they come, could also cause flash flooding. The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for this afternoon and evening that "covers mainly the mountains and desert areas."
@NWSLosAngeles Flash Flood Watch Burbank Northridge San Fernando Valley Woodland Hills Universal City in effect 11 am-this evening #larain
— Ready Los Angeles County (@ReadyLACounty) August 2, 2017
@NWSLosAngeles issues Flash Flood Watch San Gabriel & Santa Clarita Valleys 11am through this evening 8-2-17 chance showers T-Storms #larain
— Ready Los Angeles County (@ReadyLACounty) August 2, 2017
@NWSLosAngeles Flash Flood Watch means conditions may develop lead flash flooding & debris mud flows in & below recent burn areas #larain
— Ready Los Angeles County (@ReadyLACounty) August 2, 2017
According to Laber, the odds of said rain actually falling are at about 40% for much of the county. If the rains do come, they will likely be short but intense, with brief periods of moderate to heavy rainfall. "We could see half an inch an hour or greater [of rain] under these thunderstorms if they develop," Laber said.
These type of summer storms are not atypical, according to Laber.
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