Rainfall expected leading into MLK Day weekend in Southern California
Chilly weather and the possibility of rainfall are expected in Southern California over the next few days, with a chance of showers on Friday and cloudy weather throughout most of the extended holiday weekend.
The National Weather Service forecasters said that Los Angeles, Pasadena, San Gabriel and Pomona all will have high temperatures in the mid 60s on Friday, with lows approaching the low 40s. High temperatures are expected to return to the low to mid 70s in the area starting on Sunday.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger reminded drivers traveling through north Los Angeles County to have a plan in case of snow. No freeway closures were planned as of Thursday evening, but the California Highway Patrol reported already seeing snow in Grapevine on Thursday afternoon.
All drivers headed onto the I-5 through North L.A. County: Please have a plan in place in case of snow! @CHPFortTejon doesn’t expect to have to close the freeway, but it’s always a good idea to have alternate routes in mind. (1/2) https://t.co/IDEufwaink
— Supervisor Kathryn Barger (@kathrynbarger) January 17, 2020
Much like its neighboring county, areas of Orange County like Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Anaheim and Fullerton are forecasted to get showers on Thursday night, with a chance of showers on Friday morning. Weather officials said the rain should subside by Friday night.
High temperatures in Orange County are predicted to remain under 70 degrees until Saturday, with partially cloudy weather all weekend.
The NWS said up to a quarter-inch of rain could fall on Temecula, Lake Elsinore and Beaumont in Riverside County, and up one-tenth inch of rain could drizzle on Riverside and Hemet. Partially cloudy weather is forecasted to blanket the county through the weekend and into next week, with average lows in the 40s and highs in the mid 60s to mid 70s.
In addition to rain throughout the county, the NWS said snow is likely to fall in the mountains in San Bernardino County.
A quarter-inch of rain was forecasted to fall in Ontario and San Bernardniom with a possible one-tenth inch in Big Bear.
The latest precipitation forecast. A well defined front is currently moving into San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. Unfortunately for us, models still show it weakening as it moves east. pic.twitter.com/9f59BejB2X
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) January 16, 2020
The NWS said one-to-two inches of snow is expected to fall in Crestline, Lake Arrowhead, Running Springs, Wrightwood and Big Bear City and Lake, with snowfall levels as low as 5000 feet. Temperatures in the mountains are expected to drop to as low as 22 degrees above 6000 feet, and highs between 40 and 50 degrees.
San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga and Ontario were forecasted to see lows in the high 30s to low 40s, and highs in the mid 60s to low 70s through the weekend.
Once the rain subsides, the NWS forecasted that Southern California will see a cool, slightly-breezy three-day weekend.