Dreaming of a wet Christmas? Wake up Southern California, it's coming.
National Weather The service says four to five days of rain are expected across the region starting Tuesday, with a foot or less of rain in the foothills and mountains and 4 to 8 inches in coastal and valley areas. Add to that “very strong winds” Tuesday and Wednesday — we're talking gusts of 40 to 50 mph in the plains and up to 80 mph in the mountains — and it's a potentially dangerous early winter storm.
“Multiple landslides, severe flooding from either heavy rain or clogged storm drains, and possible debris flows near recent burn scars are almost certain,” the NWS said.
City Los Angeles today activated its Emergency Operations Center.
An atmospheric river has set its sights on much of California just in time to ruin Christmas plans. Around half an inch of rain is forecast for the Southland on Tuesday night, with the heaviest rain falling overnight and on Christmas Eve – we're talking an inch an hour.
“Hourly rainfall rates, especially in upslope areas, could easily exceed one inch per hour during the storm's peak Wednesday,” the NWS said today. “The heaviest rain will be in the south-facing mountains, but very heavy rain, perhaps as much as an inch per hour, is possible at lower elevations. … Anyone who is in particularly vulnerable areas … or has recent burn scars should start taking protective measures as soon as possible.”
Preparations are in full swing as a major storm approaches Southern California this week.
LOS ANGELES – FEBRUARY 22: Downtown Los Angeles (top) and Hollywood (right) David McNew/Getty Images
Maybe you should rethink that open sleigh, Mr. Claus.
The downpour should ease somewhat by Christmas Day, but forecasters warn that periods of possible heavy rain will continue into Thursday. Showers will likely change to less than a quarter of an inch per hour Friday and Saturday. This is a warmer rainfall, so snow will not be a major factor.
All this happens after wettest November in parts of Southern California as records are kept. With two months left of the monsoon season, this is already the third wettest season on record. It may be the wettest since records began in the 1870s.
Does it never rain in Southern California? It's pouring – dude, it's pouring.
