Heavy rain, flood concerns ahead of new Southern California storm

A powerful winter storm system heading down the Southern California coast Wednesday has officials concerned about thunderstorms bringing heavy downpours to our recent burn areas overnight.

“The heavy storm activity is not only expected to begin late tonight but continue through Thursday really all across Southern California,” KTLA’s Kirk Hawkins said. “Even Friday now, we’re looking at chances of rain lingering.”

The National Weather Service (NWS) says a threat of thunderstorms will bring the highest risk of flooding and make “hazardous debris flows possible near burn scars” between Wednesday evening and Thursday afternoon.

“This storm will trigger evacuation warnings for the Palisades, Sunset, and Hurst Fire burn scars,” L.A. County Emergency Services posted Tuesday.

Rain totals are expected to top out between 1 and 2 inches for the Los Angeles County coast and valley regions with up to 4 inches possible in the mountains and foothills.

Peak rain rates could reach around 1 inch per hour at times, prompting the NWS to issue a flood watch for parts of L.A., Ventura and southern Santa Barbara counties between 6 p.m. Wednesday and 6 p.m. Thursday.

“Snow levels will still remain high initially with a potential for one to two feet of snow above 6500 feet, but behind the front on Thursday, snow levels will crash to between 2500 and 3500 feet,” the NWS said in its forecast Wednesday.

The dropping snow levels could impact travel along the lower elevation passes including the Grapevine Thursday morning. 

Motorists were urged to carry chains and bring winter driving supplies. 

Another weaker system will move over the region between Friday and Saturday bringing a chance of light rainfall but skies should dry up by Sunday.

“For the L.A. Marathon, it looks like we might see a mix of some clouds and sun, but no rain in the forecast until we get into Monday night,” Kirk said.