Yet another storm system is expected to bring several inches of rain to Southern California beginning on Sunday evening, meteorologists say.
While most of the weekend will be dry and cooler than average, the term all Californians have come to learn over the last several years looks to make another appearance – in the form of an “atmospheric river.”
The last atmospheric river storm struck Southern California early last week, with torrential rain, flooding and mudslides.
“This atmospheric river won’t be as strong as the last one but I almost don’t even like using that comparison because that last storm we had was epic,” KTLA meteorologist Henry DiCarlo said early Friday morning. “So to compare any storm that follows to that one is doing storms like this weekend’s a little bit of an injustice.”
Just like the earlier storm, next week’s will have flooding concerns, particularly in the foothills. As much as eight inches of rain could hit Southern California’s mountains in parts of Los Angeles and surrounding counties, according to the National Weather Service.
Early forecasts showed the storm could focus on San Luis Obispo, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties early Sunday, leaving L.A. with about one-quarter of an inch Sunday before trekking south. By Monday and Tuesday, however, heavy and steady rainfall could hit the majority of the Southland, bringing between two and five inches of precipitation.
“[The rain is] not good news for areas concerned about mudslides and landslides,” DiCarlo said. “That does take the top priority.”
The NWS recommended Southern Californians avoid low-lying areas during the onslaught of the storm early in the week and prepare for potential power outages.
The City of L.A. will have local assistance centers for Angelenos who are impacted by the storms. You can find the locations for the centers online on the City’s website.