Southern California braces for potential winter-like storm early next week

A powerful winter-like storm is set to hit Southern California from late Monday into Wednesday. This weather event is expected to deliver significant rainfall, particularly from Monday night through Tuesday afternoon, potentially disrupting daily commutes.

Rainfall Predictions and Impact

The National Weather Service has predicted rainfall totals ranging from three-quarters of an inch to 1½ inches. Mountain and foothill regions might experience heavier rainfall, with amounts reaching up to 3½ inches.

Potential Challenges

• Rainfall rates could exceed half an inch per hour.
• This may prompt a flood watch in burn areas from Monday night to Tuesday afternoon.
• Thunderstorms and strong, gusty winds are also possible.

Climatic Context

Although Southern California typically experiences dry Octobers, storms aren’t entirely unusual during this time. Meteorologist Richard Thompson noted that such weather patterns occur occasionally in October.

This early wet weather coincides with the reappearance of La Niña, known for causing drought in Southern California. The return of this oceanic pattern could result in a drier-than-average winter, intensifying the region’s fire risk.

Stay informed with Emegypt for further updates on this developing weather situation.