Rain possible for parts of Southern California through Christmas
Meteorologists say rain might accompany holiday festivities in parts of Southern California on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
A buildup of clouds will bring a 30 percent possibility of showers throughout Southern California after 10 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 24, according to forecasts from the National Weather Service. The chance for rainfall should remain constant through Christmas Day in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, with high temperatures in the mid-60s.
Motorists travelling down the Grapevine on the 5 Freeway along the Tejon Pass during the holiday can expect high winds and wet, icy roads that may require snow chains, according to the NWS. The agency said wind gusts may reach speeds between 40 to 60 miles per hour, and the snow level should drop from 6,500 feet to 4,000 feet on Christmas Day in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
A storm system will bring strong, potentially damaging N winds to the area Mon night & Christmas Day, along with mainly light rainfall & snow above 4,000 feet. Mountain roads will be dangerous – icy with blowing snow! #SoCal #CAwx #LAsnow pic.twitter.com/DMjhTFJA4F
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) December 24, 2018
Meanwhile, snow may form at elevations as low as 5,500 feet in Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties, which can expect to see between one-tenth and one-fourth of an inch of rain, according to the NWS. The agency said the chance for precipitation in these regions should begin at 30 percent on Monday evening, then rises to 60 percent by Tuesday morning.
NWS forecasts said clouds should begin to disperse by Tuesday evening, and Wednesday is expected to be sunny with high temperatures in the 60s.
#HolyFloodWatch and #CranstonFloodWatch update: While it doesn’t appear that rainfall expected starting Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) will be intense enough to cause debris flows, even small storm runoff from burn areas can be higher than normal and carry sediment/mud. Read more below. pic.twitter.com/c4CGuRv1vE
— RivCoReady (@RivCoReady) December 23, 2018
The potential rainfall is not expected to be severe enough to cause mudslides and debris flows in areas scorched in the Cranston and Holy fires, according to Riverside County public safety officials. However, they intend to closely monitor conditions in those areas and advised residents to remain cautious.