2nd storm dampens Southern California commute, and 2 more are on the way

LOS ANGELES — Light to moderate rain doused the Southland Monday morning, creating conditions for a wet morning commute, forecasters said.

Monday’s rain was the result of a second Pacific storm after a system that hit Sunday, said National Weather Service meteorologist Curt Kaplan, adding that a quarter of an inch of rain is expected in L.A. County Monday morning, three-quarters of an inch in Ventura County.

Weather forecasts and warnings will not be interrupted by the ongoing federal government shutdown, NWS officials said, although forecasters were working without pay.

No mud or debris flows, or flash flooding of the type that struck Sunday were expected as a result of Monday’s rains, the NWS’ Kaplan said, but the LA area’s morning commute is likely to be wet.

The snow level in the San Gabriels was at 5,000 feet Monday morning, expected to rise to 7,000 feet later in the day.

The next storm — one of several lined up in the Northern Pacific and riding the jet stream to the Southland, according to Kaplan — is expected Wednesday but the lion’s share of the precipitation likely will remain north of LA County, he said. A storm much more likely to strike LA County is expected on Friday.

Monday’s storm is still generating high winds and a phenomenon called “The Palmdale Mountain Wave,” which buffeted parts of the Antelope Valley, causing sustained winds of more than 50 miles per hour accompanied by gusts of more than 70 mph, forecasters said. It began around 8 p.m. Sunday and was still blowing after 3 a.m. Monday — well beyond the “few hours” such an event usually lasts, Kaplan said.

The Palmdale Mountain Wave is caused when southwesterly air flowing over the San Gabriel Mountains is met by “an inversion on top that pushes the air down,” Kaplan said. The result is sustained high winds and higher gusts, which were felt in Lake Palmdale, Lancaster, Palmdale, Poppy Park, Grass Mountain and Valyermo, he said. The event usually occurs before a storm front comes through, which was the case Monday, Kaplan said.

The sustained winds and high gusts have blown down five trees in Palmdale, Sgt. Philip Anderson of the Palmdale sheriff’s station said. The station has also received an increased number of calls due to alarms set off by doors and windows rattling, he said.

Another weather impact was being felt on Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu, where weekend rain caused debris flows that trapped vehicles and forced the closure of a section of road.

Caltrans officials said PCH would remain shut down in both directions from Las Posas Road in Ventura County to Encinal Canyon Road in Malibu until at least late Monday, possibly through Tuesday.

Multiple vehicles became trapped in a mudflow about 7:30 p.m. Saturday at PCH and Mulholland Highway, just outside the Malibu city limits, the California Highway Patrol reported. Others were stuck at 7:06 p.m. that night in a mixture of water, mud and rocks on PCH north of Tonga Street, two to three miles north of the Los Angeles County line.

The roadway havoc was part of the first winter storm of 2019, which moved into the Southland Saturday night before clearing up Sunday.

Many Inland Empire residents also woke up to wet roads Monday morning.

The precipitation was predicted to stick around portions of San Bernardino and Riverside counties until around 10 a.m., making the first day back to school for many after the winter break a wet one.

Despite the wet start to the week, temperatures are expected to warm up into the mid-60s for cities like Wildomar, Redlands and San Bernardino as the week progresses. Ontario is expected to reach a high of nearly 70 degrees by Tuesday, Jan. 8, according to the National Weather Service.

Cities in the High Desert, including Victorville and Apple Valley, are expected to be slightly cooler, with highs forecast to reach the low 60s this week, the NWS predicted.

The highs in the local mountains will just barely peek above 50 degrees this week. Forecasters predict a slight chance of some snow showers this coming weekend.

California Highway Patrol and Caltrans officials remind anyone planning to drive into the mountains Monday to always carry their snow chains and to be prepared for icy road conditions.

There was supposed to be a slight chance of snow showers Monday morning but even if there isn’t, it’s cold enough for the roads to be slick. There is no word of restrictions from the CHP right now, but it’s always a good idea to keep chains in the trunk.

The NWS is forecasting rain in LA County Monday and highs of 54 degrees on Mount Wilson; 58 in Palmdale and Lancaster; 59 in Santa Clarita; 60 in San Gabriel; 61 in Burbank, Northridge, Woodland Hills and San Pedro; 62 in Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Pasadena, West Covina, Whittier, Avalon, Torrance and at LAX; 63 in Long Beach; and 64 in downtown LA.

Partly cloudy skies were forecast in Orange County, along with highs of 46 on Santiago Peak; 55 on Ortega Highway at 2,600 feet; 58 at Fremont Canyon; 60 at Trabuco Canyon, San Clemente, Laguna Beach and Yorba Linda; 61 in Newport Beach; 62 in Anaheim and Fullerton and Mission Viejo; and 63 in Irvine and Santa Ana.

Monday’s San Bernardino County highs include 44 in Running Springs; 45 in Big Bear; 46 in Wrightwood; 56 in Yucaipa and Hesperia; 58 in Victorville; 59 in Rancho Cucamonga and Redlands; and 60 in Ontario and San Bernardino.

Riverside County highs include 59 in Lake Elsinore; 60 in Hemet, Desert Hot Springs, Menifee and Perris; 61 in Riverside, Palm Springs and Temecula; 62 in Palm Desert, Indio and Murrieta; and 65 in Blythe.

Staff writer Beatriz Valenzuela contributed to this report.