Fountain Valley Weather: Rain, Rain Here To Stay In Orange County

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA — One storm drifted out of the Southland Wednesday but another one is moving in, the National Weather Service says.

Rain from the first of the week's expected three storms moved out of the region by sunrise and rain from the second system was forecast to start in western L.A county late Wednesday afternoon or early Wednesday evening, according to the National Weather Service.

But no major issues are expected in connection with burn areas where heavy rains can unleash mud slides and debris flows, the NWS said. Tuesday's storm system generated between a quarter-inch and a half- inch of rain, and the same is expected from Wednesday's, said NWS weather specialist Start Seto.

In the Antelope Valley, gusty southwest winds will pick up late this morning, continuing through early Wednesday evening, according to the NWS. A wind advisory is expected to be in force from noon to 9 p.m.

Periods of light to moderate rain are expected through Saturday as a series of storms move through the area. Dry but cool conditions are expected late this weekend into Monday.

Then, a potentially powerful storm is possible early next week, mainly Tuesday into Wednesday, the NWS said. Snow levels will be higher for next week's storm than they've been this week. But the weather picture remained clouded.

At one time, it had been thought that a storm system expected Friday would be "a good soaker," but now the expectation is that it will produce little rain -- a tenth to a quarter inch for the coast and quarter to a half- inch in the mountains and foothills, and very light snow accumulations in the mountains down to around 5000 feet, according to the weather service.
Light snow accumulations are possible in the mountains Wednesday evening through Saturday morning, creating hazardous driving conditions, warned an NWS statement.

A pleasant weekend is expected, forecasters said. There could be early morning showers Saturday mainly in eastern L.A. County as the third of this week's three weather systems exits the area. The next system will arrive either late Monday or Tuesday.

A combination of partly skies and showers was forecast in Orange County Wednesday, along with highs of 61 in San Clemente; 63 in Newport Beach; 64 in Laguna Beach and Mission Viejo; 65 in Yorba Linda; and 66 in Fullerton and Anaheim. Thursday's temperatures will be marginally lower amid mostly cloudy skies, then remain about the same amid showers Friday and Saturday. Showers will reappear in Orange County Tuesday. (Full forecast below).

The NWS forecast rain in L.A. County Wednesday and highs of 47 degrees on Mount Wilson; 59 in Lancaster; 60 in Palmdale; 61 in Saugus; 62 in Avalon and San Gabriel; 63 in Burbank and at LAX; 64 in Pasadena; and 65 in Long Beach and Downtown Los Angeles. Temperatures will be the same Thursday amid a mix of mostly cloudy skies and showers, slip slightly amid rain Friday and remain at that level amid showers Saturday and sunny skies Sunday. Rain will return to L.A County next week.

4-day Forecast for Fountain Valley

Today, rain tonight.

Thursday March 15

Partly cloudy throughout the day. High 62, low 53.
Chance of precipitation: 68%. Wind 8 mph from the W

Friday March 16

Partly cloudy throughout the day. High 60, low 51.
Chance of precipitation: 50%. Wind 5 mph from the WSW

Saturday March 17

Partly cloudy until afternoon. High 60, low 52.
Chance of precipitation: 42%. Wind 8 mph from the W

Sunday March 18

Mostly cloudy in the morning. High 62, low 49.
Chance of precipitation: 0%. Wind 4 mph from the WSW
Data provided by darksky.net.

Photo: Dana Point in the coming storm, courtesy David Okun