How Much Rain Will Rancho Santa Margarita Get This Week? Storm Arrives

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — Several storm systems are lining up to slam across Southern California through the end of January, according to the National Weather Service San Diego. The next storm system arrived Tuesday, with another predicted to settle across Orange County starting Wednesday night into Thursday, bringing with it wind, rain and high surf, according to NWS meteorologist Alexander Tardy in his recent report.

Rain began falling across Orange County Tuesday morning, though heavier rain and strong winds are forecast as part of a more robust Pacific storm system expected to impact the Southland starting late Wednesday through Thursday.

Clouds blanketed much of the Southland Tuesday, and were expected to grow denser as the frontal system over the eastern Pacific approaches the area. According to the NWS, most cities in Orange County will generally see a half-inch to an inch of rain Tuesday. Snow is likely for the higher elevations in area mountains, especially the San Bernardino mountain range and area ski resorts.

A break in the storms was expected Wednesday, according to forecasters, but a stronger and wetter storm would drop in across Orange County much of Thursday into Friday.

During Thursday's storm, up to 6 inches of rain are expected in some areas, with snow at higher elevations. The heaviest rainfall is expected to occur late Wednesday through Thursday morning.
According to the NWS, wind advisories and warnings are likely Wednesday into Thursday.

Health officials are warning people to avoid entering ocean water near discharging storm drains or rivers due to possible bacterial infection. The Orange County Department of Public Health has issued an ocean water quality rain advisory that was in effect until 7 a.m. Tuesday though a swell is promised to the area.

Health officials noted that stormwater runoff that reaches the ocean can carry bacteria, chemicals, debris trash and other health hazards. Health officials said that people who come in contact with impacted water in the ocean could become ill.

Temperatures are expected to be cool throughout the week, with highs in the 50s and 60s in most areas.

Large amounts of rainfall materialized over the holiday weekend, with two to five inches of rain on New Year's Eve and day. Over the next several days, Orange County can expect almost 2 inches of rain through Thursday.

Orange County will see the brunt of the storm toward the end of the week, according to the NWS. Strong winds will blow along the coast, with 35 to 40 miles per hour winds accompanied by rain moving from west to east.

"Central California remains the bullseye of these atmospheric rivers and the storm track, those areas are two to three times wetter than average over a 30-day period since the beginning of December," Tardy said. Southern California is still running a little bit above average for rainfall since the start of the 2023 Water Year that began in October, according to Tardy. "We need to stay in this pattern in order to make a dent in the drought."

Temperatures are expected to be cool throughout the week, with highs in the 50s and 60s in most areas.

National Weather Service Forecast for Rancho Santa Margarita:

A chance of rain, mainly after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday
Rain likely, mainly before 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night
Rain likely, mainly after 10pm. Cloudy, with a low around 52. Southeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Thursday
Showers, mainly before 4pm. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 56. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Thursday Night
A chance of showers before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.

Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 45.