Rancho Santa Margarita Rain, Winter Weather Starts The Week

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — A storm approaching Southern California from the Pacific northwest could drop a half inch to nearly 2 inches of rain in Los Angeles and Orange County Monday, according to the National Weather Service. The heaviest downpours were expected to strike the San Bernardino Mountains midday, according to reports.

A high surf advisory is in effect at Orange County beaches from 11 a.m. Monday to 3 a.m. Wednesday.

This, all part of a major storm that settled into the middle of the Golden state Sunday, bringing record rains to the Sacramento area.

See: 14 Images Of California's Powerful Storm: Flooding, Debris & More

The main rain band would enter Orange County and the Inland Empire by mid-afternoon, making the commute hectic, meteorologists predicted. No thunderstorms were predicted from this event.

Rainfall totals in Orange County would range from a quarter inch of rain in Irvine and a third of an inch of rain as far south as San Clemente.

Meteorologists report that Orange County is getting "the tail end" of the storm that rained record amounts in Sacramento, Sunday.

Cooler temperatures are also expected Monday, with highs in the upper 50s and 60s.

Dry and warmer conditions are expected during the rest of the week.

The main front of the storm system— and the heaviest rain —was expected to firs arrive in the Los Angeles area around noon Monday. The front was expected to move out of the area fairly quickly in the afternoon, the NWS said.

The forecast also calls for the possibility of minor flooding and gusty winds.

Thunderstorms are not expected during the storm, which is expected to move to the east by late Monday evening.

The storm is not expected to bring significant snow to the area, with levels remaining well above 8,000 feet, forecasters said.

After the storm blows through in Orange County you can expect Tuesday temps to warm up slightly after the rain:

Laguna Beach: 64 Monday; 69 Tuesday

Laguna Niguel: 63 Monday; 68 Tuesday

Lake Forest: 63 Monday; 71 Tuesday

Los Alamitos: 64 Monday; 72 Tuesday

Mission Viejo: 62 Monday; 70 Tuesday

Newport Beach: 64 Monday; 69 Tuesday

Orange: 64 Monday; 72 Tuesday

Rancho Santa Margarita: 61 Monday; 70 Tuesday

San Clemente: 64 Monday; 67 Tuesday

San Juan Capistrano: 65 Monday; 69 Tuesday