Rain, snow expected in Southern California for first weekend of the year

Rain and snow are expected to hit Southern California this weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

“Over the weekend, a Pacific trough moving inland across California will bring clouds and a good chance for showers and mountain snow,” according to a statement from the NWS.

The bulk of the precipitation is predicted to fall between midnight and noon Sunday, the statement said. Snow levels will range from 5,000-5,500 feet with several inches of snow above 6,000 feet. Highest precipitation amounts are most likely in the San Bernardino and Orange County mountains.

Despite the rain predictions, meteorologists believe precipitation amounts are expected to be below debris flow thresholds in the Holy, Canyon 1 and Cranston fire burn areas. Rain amounts are expected to be around  0.25-0.50″ in the coastal and valley areas of Southern California. Up to 2 inches of rain could fall in some south-slope mountain locations.

Current weather models show a stronger and wetter storm may move into the Southland by next Wednesday and Thursday.

Cities in the Inland Empire, including Chino, Riverside and Fontana, are expected to reach highs of the low to mid-60s on Friday, Jan. 4. Those highs will then drop to the mid-50s over the weekend, according to the NWS.

Colder temperatures are forecast for the local mountains, including Big Bear Lake, Mount Baldy and Wrightwood, which are expected to reach highs in the mid-40s Saturday and Sunday. As much as 3 inches of snow is predicted to fall at some of the local mountain resorts.

The beach communities of Huntington Beach, Long Beach and Malibu will be slightly warmer over the weekend, with highs in the low 60s. Van Nuys, Inglewood and Garden Grove will also see high temperatures in the low to mid-60s over the wet weekend, according to NWS.