Approaching SoCal Storm Could Cause Avalanches, Flooding

LOS ANGELES, CA — A warm rainstorm is making its way to Southern California, increasing the risk of localized flooding and avalanches in mountain communities where residents remain trapped by 100 inches of snow that fell during the recent record-breaking blizzard.

The storm, driven by an atmospheric river known as the Pineapple Express, is expected to slam northern California. The Southland is expected to get only small amounts of rain Friday. However, it's the 10th atmospheric river-fueled storm to hit the Golden State this year, and its cumulative effect could still be destructive in Southern California, forecasters warned Wednesday.

Across the Southland, residents can expect falling trees, swollen rivers, and hazardous mountain conditions.

It will be cool and windy Wednesday and Thursday in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino counties with gusty conditions in the deserts and mountains through Saturday, according to AccuWeather. There is a 50 percent chance of rain on Friday, and snow levels will be at 8,000 feet, according to the National Weather Service. West winds between 30 and 40 mph are in the forecast across the mountains, desert slopes and passes. Gusts will be strongest through the San Gorgonio Pass, the National Weather Service said.

The high snow levels mean that mountain communities such as Mount Baldy, Crestline, Wrightwood and Big Bear, can expect rain on top of snow. That increases the chance of avalanches and collapsed roofs, the National Weather Service warned Wednesday.

“Friday is pretty much the main day — that’s going to be a washout,” said Mike Wofford, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard told the Los Angeles Times. “That could pose some issues at higher elevations where they’ve got a lot of snow and they’ve got rain falling on top of that.”

The heaviest rainfall will arrive Friday evening and Saturday, according to forecasters. A main concern is rain falling on a large snowpack in the mountains. Melted snow and rainfall runoff could result in flooding, according to the NWS, and lead to damage to property, structures and roads in mountain communities below 7,000 feet. Above 8,000 feet, 1 to 3 inches of snow is expected.

There are avalanche warnings in place for elevations above 5,000 feet.

It will be foggy in the morning Wednesday, and partly cloudy in the afternoon in parts of Los Angeles County. On Friday, when rain is expected, daytime highs are forecast to be about 59 degrees in Newport Beach, Los Angeles and Banning; 66 degrees in San Diego; 61 degrees in Temecula; and 47 degrees in Big Bear, according to AccuWeather.

City News Service contributed to this report.