Afternoon Rain, Wind and Mountain Snow Headed This Way

A Pacific storm system will bring rain and snow to Southern California today, along with strong winds, but the foul weather will end Wednesday, National Weather Service forecasters said.

Light showers began developing across San Luis Obispo County late Monday evening, then spread southeast across the area on a trajectory that will put them in Orange County this afternoon and evening, according to the NWS.

Showers will continue in Orange County this evening, said an NWS statement.

“... By Wednesday afternoon expect skies to begin clearing and all precipitation to end,” it said.

The snow level will fall from 5,500 to 5,000 feet by this afternoon, then to near 4,500 feet by late tonight, but by then only light showers are expected, along with snow flurries and little accumulation, the statement added.

Between two and four inches of snow are expected above 5,000 feet, although up to six inches is possible in some spots, forecasters said. Nonetheless, no weather-related difficulties or road closures are expected in the Interstate 5 Corridor, they said.

Gusty southwest winds will also lash the region. Total rainfall amounts resulting from this late-season weather system out of the Gulf of Alaska are expected to be between a quarter-inch and a half- inch in the region.

“This storm should bring localized ponding of water on low-lying streets and highways due to clogged drains,” warned an NWS statement.’

“Wet oil-slicked roads due to the first significant rainfall in a while will impact the morning and afternoon commutes” today, it added.

The threat of mud and debris flows over slopes denuded by wildfire “is low,” although it should be monitored, forecasters said.

The NWS forecast highs today of 44 on Mount Wilson; 67 in Mission Viejo; 61 in San Clemente; 62 in Laguna Beach; 63 at LAX; 64 in Newport Beach; 65 in Long Beach and Fullerton; 66 in Yorba Linda; and 64 in Aliso Viejo.

Sunny skies will return to the Los Angeles area Wednesday, and temperatures will be a few degrees higher -- two or three in several communities.

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