La Weather is expected to shift from dry to wet late Thursday evening as consecutive Pacific storm systems move into Southern California. Rain chances rise after midnight in Los Angeles County, with showers spreading across the region before dawn on Friday.
Forecasters put the overall chances for widespread rain above 90%, with most areas of Los Angeles and Orange counties expected to pick up between a quarter-inch and 1 inch from the two systems. Thursday's highs are expected to fall 5 to 10 degrees from Wednesday, then settle into the 60s to low 70s on Friday and Saturday.
Los Angeles and Orange counties
The first round is expected to bring scattered showers mainly on Friday morning, then taper after sunrise. Isolated showers may linger through the day, and forecasters said any areas that stay dry Friday morning should get wet Friday night. A second, more widespread round of rain is expected late Friday afternoon or evening and continue into Saturday morning before clearing from west to east.
Hourly rainfall rates are expected to stay at or below a quarter-inch per hour in most places. There is a 20% to 30% chance of localized rates reaching up to a half-inch per hour, mainly on mountain slopes and in thunderstorms. Forecasters said significant rain-related flooding is not anticipated, even with the high rain chances.
Malibu coast and beaches
A Beach Hazards Statement is in effect for the Malibu coast and Los Angeles County beaches through Friday afternoon. A High Surf Advisory begins at 2 p.m. Friday and lasts until 3 p.m. Tuesday, with breaking waves expected to build from 4 to 7 feet on Friday to 7 to 12 feet on Saturday before easing to 6 to 9 feet from Sunday through Tuesday.
The swell is expected to bring dangerous rip currents, strong longshore currents, sneaker waves and large shore break. Morning high tides are expected to peak between 7.0 and 7.4 feet, and the weather threatens west- to northwest-facing beaches with beach erosion and shallow flooding near high tide.
Southern California next week
Sunday is expected to bring a brief dry break, with daytime highs in the mid-60s to low 70s. Forecasters said the storm train is expected to continue with one storm impacting the region next week, keeping the region in a pattern of back-to-back systems rather than a long stretch of dry weather.
For residents in Los Angeles County, the most practical window is late Thursday night through Saturday morning, when rain bands, gusty winds and coastal hazards overlap. Beachgoers and people near low-lying walkways or parking lots should plan around the higher tide and surf period, while commuters should expect the most active rain bands to line up Friday morning and again late Friday.
