Thursday Night Rain, Chance Of Thunder Across Orange County

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Orange County residents can expect a sharp drop in temperature, rain showers and thunderstorms starting Thursday as winter weather returns to the Southland, the National Weather Service reported.

The shift in weather may come as a welcome change after warm February temperatures reached up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit in some inland Orange County cities.

"Heaviest expected Friday morning, with nearly half-inch per hour at times," Orange County Public Works wrote on Twitter. "Residents should remain vigilant as conditions can change."

Thursday night, Orange County residents can expect cloudy skies and a growing chance of rain showers. Nighttime temperatures will range from 47 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit with rain and winds growing stronger through Friday morning, the National Weather Service said. Thunderstorms are also expected to hit the Southland on Friday morning.

Orange County residents living in or near the Bond fire burn scar are encouraged to visit the Orange County Sheriff's website for information on potential evacuations or flash flood warnings.

Residents can also sign up for AlertOC, a mass notification system used by Orange County and participating cities to issue government-related messages to residents and businesses.