First wave of practically per week of rain hits Southern California. Snow anticipated for Mammoth, Tahoe

Heavy rains hit Southern California on Monday, triggering flood watches and wind advisories in Los Angeles and evacuation warnings in burn scar areas, together with alerts over the specter of mud and particles flows on the web site of the Pacific Palisades hearth.

The primary of a number of storms anticipated this week introduced chilly temperatures and the potential for mountain snow, with the Nationwide Climate Service estimating 1 to 2.5 inches of rain in coastal and valley areas and greater than double that quantity in mountain and foothill communities by Monday.

The NWS additionally warned of the potential for “small” or “weak” tornadoes — though none had been reported as of Monday morning.

Meteorologists mentioned they anticipated extra rain Tuesday and Wednesday, as Los Angeles officers urged residents to watch out on the roads and in areas liable to flooding.
By the top of the week, forecasters predicted totals that would attain 2 to 4 inches in coastal and valley areas and 4 to eight inches within the mountains and foothills.

“It’s going to be a really soggy, moist interval over a lot of the week,” mentioned Mike Wofford, a meteorologist with the Nationwide Climate Service, who warned of “heavy rain and gusty winds.”

“We’re anticipating one other spherical of showers later tonight into tomorrow morning — you would possibly hear some thunder within the early morning hours of Tuesday. It’ll be extra scattered, not raining in every single place, extra on and off,” Wofford mentioned.

By Tuesday night time and Wednesday morning, he mentioned, forecasters anticipated extra heavy rains and decrease snow ranges that “might convey driving hazards on I-5, and we’ll doubtless see some snow on the Grapevine heading into Bakersfield.”

Presidents Day additionally introduced heavy snow to Northern California and the Japanese Sierra, with a number of ft predicted within the mountains and whiteout circumstances close to Mammoth Mountain and Lake Tahoe. Flurries have been additionally anticipated to blanket Large Bear, the place a number of ft of snow might fall by Wednesday.

In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass urged residents to make use of warning when driving and in areas hit hardest by winds and storms.

“Once more, that is more likely to be one other important climate occasion that would trigger excessive surf, flooded roadways, downed timber, and dirt and particles flows that Angelenos must take critically,” Bass mentioned in an announcement Monday.

“I urge all Angelenos — particularly these in burn scar areas — to observe official steering, use warning on the roads, plan forward, and keep knowledgeable. Join emergency alerts at NotifyLA.org and report any non-life-threatening flooding, fallen timber, or different injury to 311, which shall be working beneath prolonged hours immediately,” Bass mentioned.

Town of Los Angeles issued an evacuation warning by not less than 9 a.m. Tuesday for the Palisades, Sundown and Hurst burn scar areas due to potential mud and particles flows. Residents have been suggested to test their evacuation plans, pack necessities, and be prepared to depart if circumstances worsened.

As a precaution, parts of Topanga Canyon Boulevard have been closed starting at 10 p.m. Sunday and lengthening into midweek.

The NWS additionally issued a number of alerts for the Los Angeles space, together with citywide flood watches and a wind advisory for a lot of Monday.

The service additionally issued a excessive surf advisory by 6 p.m. Thursday for Pacific Palisades, Playa del Rey, San Pedro and Port of Los Angeles areas. Residents have been urged to remain out of the ocean. A gale warning was additionally in impact for interior coastal waters, with officers discouraging boating till circumstances improved.

Regardless of a moist and, in some locations, snowy begin to the week, Southern Californians can anticipate sunshine and clearer skies by Friday, with temperatures within the mid-60s by Saturday.

Employees author Sonja Sharp contributed to this report.