Storms Head to Fountain Valley Following Heat Wave

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA — In sharp contrast to last week's hot spell, two storms will strike Orange County this week, threatening lightning, mudslides in areas denuded by wildfire, National Weather Service forecasters said Monday.

Rain is forecast in Orange County Tuesday, followed by showers on Wednesday and, in some communities, on Saturday. Thursday is forecast to be sunny, and Orange County temperatures will be in the high 50s and low 60s this week.

In Los Angeles County, the first storm will bring widespread light to moderate rain on Tuesday, with amounts generally between a half-inch and an inch in coastal and valley areas and 1 to 2 inches in the mountains and foothills, according to an NWS statement. Showers and thunderstorms are expected Wednesday because of the same system, it said.

Thursday will be dry, but a second system is expected to produce rainfall in Los Angeles County Friday night and Saturday, the NWS statement said, adding that it is still too early to forecast how much precipitation that storm will produce.

"Any thunderstorm could result in minor mud and debris flows in recent burn areas, as well as lightning hazards for outdoor activities including beach areas. Periods of gusty winds are also expected, which could pose dangers from falling trees and cross-winds on roadways," the statement said.

Along the L.A. County coast, a small craft advisory warning of perilous seas for small vessels, especially in the hands of novice sailors, will be in effect until 9 a.m. Tuesday.

The NWS forecasts partly cloudy skies in Los Angeles County Monday and highs of 62 degrees Fahrenheit in Avalon; 63 at LAX; 65 on Mount Wilson; 66 in Long Beach; 67 in San Gabriel; 68 in Downtown L.A., Saugus and Burbank; 69 in Pasadena; 70 in Woodland Hills; and 71 in Palmdale and Lancaster. Temperatures will slip by several degrees Tuesday but remain in the 60s and mostly remain in the 60s through Sunday. As of Monday, rain is forecast in L.A. County on Tuesday and Wednesday, as well as Thursday in some communities, then again on Saturday.

Partly cloudy skies are forecast in Orange County Monday, along with highs of 61 in Laguna Beach, 62 in San Clemente; 63 in Newport Beach; 67 in Anaheim, Irvine and Mission Viejo; 68 in Fullerton and 70 in Yorba Linda.

-- City News Service, photo courtesy of the NWS