Blustery winds blowing through the D.C. area Sunday with gusts up to 55 mph are expected to continue through the start of the workweek.
Blustery winds blowing through the D.C. area Sunday with gusts up to 55 mph are expected to continue through the start of the workweek.
There’s a wind advisory in effect for the entire region from now through Monday at 5 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. Winds will start to calm Monday evening.
“It can make for some difficult driving and bumpy flights going in and out of the airports,” said 7News First Alert meteorologist Jordan Evans.
It’s going to be a cold one too as the temperatures are expected to drop from the high 50s on Sunday to the low 30s and even down to the 20s with the wind chill overnight.
“There could be sustained winds anywhere from 25 to 30 mph in parts of the area as a strong storm system out to the north and east is bringing in the gusty winds,” Evans said.
SUNDAY NIGHT:WIND ALERT. Mostly sunny and windy. Temps: 36-42. Winds: Northwest 20-30 mph, with gusts of 40-50 mph.
OVERNIGHT:WIND ALERT. Partly cloudy, windy and cold. Lows in the 30s, with wind chills in the 20s. Winds: Northwest 15-25 mph, with gusts of 30-40 mph.
MONDAY:WIND ALERT. Mostly sunny and breezy. Highs in the 50s. Winds: Northwest 15-25 mph, with gusts of 35-45 mph.
TUESDAY: Sunny and mild. Highs in the mid-60s to 70 degrees. Winds: West 10-15 mph.
WEDNESDAY: Partly cloudy and mild. Highs in the low 70s. Winds: South 5-10 mph.
Current weather
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High-elevation mountains in Southern California are likely to get several inches of snow as rain douses the rest of the region over the weekend.
A mild storm described by NBC4 Meteorologist David Biggar as bringing rain that will be “light with occasional moderate pockets mixed in” is aiming for the region. According to Biggar’s forecast, the timeline of the system is as follows:
7 a.m. Saturday — Rain in northern areas like Ojai and the high desert
10 a.m. Saturday – More widespread rain with it reaching Malibu, parts of the San Fernando Valley and possible snow in the San Gabriel Valley mountains and Big Bear
11 a.m. Saturday – Showers may reach metro Los Angeles, Pomona, Hemet and the South Bay
3 p.m. Saturday – Heavy cloud coverage in the afternoon but some areas may see pockets of sunshine. Rain will be more scattered and heading east.
6 p.m. – even less rain with continued cloud coverage
“As we go through the day for Saturday, we really will just be looking at some hit-or-miss light rainfall,” Biggar said.
This system isn’t expected to bring significant rainfall like SoCal experienced in February.
“We’re thinking most spots will pick up about a quarter of an inch to maybe an inch of rain on the upper end of things, but most spots will probably be about a quarter of an inch to half an inch of rain.”
SoCal Snow
The National Weather Service issued a couple of alerts due to wintry weather associated with the incoming story.
A winter storm warning has been issued for parts of the San Gabriel Valley mountains, Big Bear and Riverside County mountains while the Ventura County mountains are under a winter weather advisory.
Elevations above 6,500 feet may get 6 to 12 inches of snow and might experience gusts of up to 65 mph
“Maybe the Grapevine (during early Sunday) starting to get some snowfall, so we’ll be watching closely for early Sunday morning,” Biggar said. “But, the remainder of Sunday actually looks relatively dry.”
Wind has dipped below damaging levels but continues to be blustery Thursday with wind chill values never rising out of the 20s at even the warmest time of the day, while actual high temperatures hover around 30 degrees.
Sunshine fading behind building clouds that yield scattered snow showers with little impact will be ineffective in warming the air before the sun sets, snow showers diminish, and the wind quiets a bit for the overnight into Friday morning.
Friday sunshine will dawn with a gentle wind, but by afternoon a new, southwest breeze will start carrying milder air into New England to bump daytime highs well into the 40s.
Although the air will still be dry enough to hold off any precipitation into Saturday morning, clouds will thicken Friday night and a mostly cloudy stretch unfolds for days on end, with Saturday morning’s dry start giving way to scattered rain showers arriving by late morning to midday in southern New England and expanding north during the afternoon.
Showers will morph into an area of more consolidated rain Saturday afternoon, evening and night as a storm center develops south of New England, with its counterclockwise flow of air around the center bringing a northeast wind to much of New England by Sunday into Monday.
Of course, a northeast wind is off the ocean and this time of year the ocean is only around 40 degrees, so an onshore wind means cooler temperatures than might otherwise be expected from the airmass. That said, it’s a mild airmass!
So, rather than all of us jumping into the 50s Sunday and Monday, we’ll likely land in the upper 40s or around 50 — warmer than normal for this time of the year.
In fact, when showers break and clouds may part enough for a few splashes of sun Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, while the northeast wind relaxes, temperatures may rise well into the 50s before another round of rain arrives for the end of next week.
As of right now, our exclusive First Alert 10-day forecast holds hope of moving the rain along by next weekend.
The city of Los Angeles outlined preparations Saturday for the approaching storm, which is forecast to drop bursts of moderate to heavy rain on already soggy Southern California in the coming week.
Mayor Karen Bass reported on the city’s comprehensive measures in place to manage the effects of the winter storm.
“We have been working diligently to recover from the storm that hit us earlier this month by covering potholes, protecting saturated land and more. Now, we must remain prepared for the additional rainfall coming to Los Angeles in the coming days,” Bass said.
“Our region has seen significant rainfall in recent weeks, which puts us at an increased risk of additional mudslides and power outages, so Angelenos, please stay prepared and stay off of the roads during the rain,” the mayor said. “We know the severe impact that weather can have on our roads and communities, and we are making sure Los Angeles is prepared and informed on behalf of our residents, including the unhoused Angelenos living on our streets, to get through this storm.”
To help more unhoused people get out of the rain, the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Homelessness Solutions will make more hotel vouchers available than previously planned, and outreach workers began late this week to offer help with a particular focus on areas such as the Los Angeles River and Sepulveda Basin, where there is extreme flooding, Bass said. People who need to access services can dial 211.
Doctors warn the public about Valley fever which is caused by spores of the fungus ‘coccidioides’ that live in the soil and can thrive after a rainy season. Gordon Tokumatsu reports for the NBC4 News on Feb. 15, 2024.
The Department of Water and Power, police and fire departments were preparing to respond to flooding, mudslides, downed power lines, fallen trees and lightning strikes. The department warned people to use caution around downed or dangling wires or poles and always assume they are live, and to avoid touching them. People were urged to call 911 to report down or dangling wires.
The Department of Building and Safety conducted grading assessments on mudslide-prone private property to identify risks and prepare with owners to manage mud and debris while city crews have installed sandbags and K-rails as needed, Bass said.
In advance of the expected rain in the coming days, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced preparedness measures the City has taken and urged Angelenos to take steps now to prepare, stay informed and utilize City resources to stay safe.
L.A. Animal Services had rescue teams ready to help evacuate and rescue animals. Pet owners were encouraged to make sure pets are inside during heavy rainfall, they are micro-chipped and wearing ID tags.
Life-threatening emergencies can be reported through 911. Angelenos can request help with less-urgent roadway flooding, tree limbs blocking roadways or mudslides by dialing 311 or by going online. People who want to receive local alerts about roadway closures, flooding and other storm impacts can register for NotifyLA.
For sure, there was plenty of computer modeling available to indicate the Southland was in for a severe — and potentially dangerous — soaking. But based on their expertise, forecasters at the National Weather Service in Oxnard correctly anticipated that even the machine-calculated, eye-popping rain totals were probably an underprediction.
When it comes to such a serious storm event, getting the forecast as close to correct as possible isn’t just a matter of pride. Forecasters go to great lengths to assess a storm’s strength so they can accurately inform the public about the dangers it may pose.
“We don’t want to cry wolf and say, ‘Oh, we’re gonna get record amounts of rain, catastrophic flooding,’ and then you get about half what you think. And people are like, ‘That was no big deal,’” said Joe Sirard, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Oxnard. “And then they’ll tune us out. We don’t want that to happen.”
In this case, “We went a little bit above some of the models and, you know, we were right,” Sirard said.
A person walks under an umbrella at L.A. Live in Los Angeles.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Sirard said the first indications of a potentially significant rain event emerged about 10 to 12 days ahead of the storm’s actual arrival early this month.
To get an idea of a storm’s possible strength, forecasters look at data generated by supercomputers that produce “ensemble forecasts” made from a series of model runs based on slightly tweaked initial conditions, Sirard said.
But the forecast is quite uncertain that far out.
Say you’re trying to map out a forecast 10 days from now, when it looks like a storm is brewing. Half of the model runs might suggest 5 inches of rain will fall over a three-day period, but the other half could suggest less precipitation — sometimes significantly so.
Data like that might be too noisy to say anything with a great degree of confidence.
But as the storm draws closer, those models will start to align a bit more, giving forecasters a better idea of what to reasonably expect.
“And so that would increase our confidence levels,” Sirard said. “Once you get in that seven-day window … if these ensemble models are still showing, say, 60% hypothetically, 5 or more inches in a three-day period — already, our antennas are up. And it’s like, ‘OK, we got a potential for something significant coming in.’”
As forecasters get even closer to the storm’s arrival, they can employ higher-resolution, shorter-range forecast models.
Mud and debris flow from hills caused by heavy rain covered part of a parked car and knocked down the garage door of a home in the 10400 block of West Quito Lane in Los Angeles.
(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
At a certain point, there was enough confidence for forecasters to post an attention-grabbing warning on social media on Feb. 1, three days before the storm’s arrival: “We are expecting a major storm with dangerous, even life-threatening impacts!”
In subsequent days, local law enforcement and elected officials — from the city of Los Angeles to Santa Barbara County — held media briefings about the dire forecasts that included National Weather Service meteorologists.
Such coordination between meteorologists and politicians hasn’t always happened. Unforgettably, although the National Weather Service office in Monterey issued a flood watch three days before a significant storm landed on Dec. 31, 2022, San Francisco officials were caught unprepared by a record deluge that flooded swaths of low-lying parts of the city and left residents and business owners furious.
There have also been memorable misses. Fourteen years ago, an unexpectedly powerful, slow-moving rainstorm unleashed a torrent of mud that inundated more than 40 homes in La Cañada Flintridge, a far cry from an initial forecast of a light to moderate rainstorm.
The models for the storm earlier this month did adjust in the days leading up to the event. Initial projections about three to five days ahead of the storm suggested Santa Barbara and Ventura counties would get hit the hardest. But as it drew closer, there were growing indications that Los Angeles County would bear the brunt, said Ryan Kittell, another meteorologist in the weather service’s Oxnard office.
That ended up being the case.
The weather service also made late adjustments to what the computer models were showing. Over a four-day period, models said to expect 8 to 10 inches of rain in the San Gabriel Mountains and 4 to 5 inches of rain in downtown L.A.
Meteorologists thought the computer models were underpredicting the projected rainfall totals, so they added a couple of inches to that forecast, Sirard said.
Their instincts proved correct. The weather service’s final forecast was for 8 to 14 inches of rain in the mountains and foothills through Feb. 6. And that was very accurate — the highest rainfall amount recorded in the San Gabriel Mountains over that period was 13.86 inches.
“A lot of us have been here for 25 years. So we know the weather patterns of what can cause the maximum amount of rainfall here,” Sirard said. “You get the high amount of water vapor in the atmosphere, you get the strong jetstream aloft nearby, you have the strong southeast to south low-level flow — all that moisture throughout the atmosphere, from the ground to 20,000 feet or more — all gets squeezed up into the mountains.”
In some areas, the storm proved to be a rainmaker more prolific than even experienced meteorologists had anticipated.
Before the storm began, the weather service had forecast 6.37 inches of rain would fall over a four-day period in downtown Los Angeles. Some people might’ve been hard-pressed to believe such an astonishing amount: On average, downtown gets 14.25 inches of rain in an entire year.
For the four-day period ending at 9 p.m. Feb. 6, 8.66 inches of rain fell on downtown L.A.
Still, the range of the forecast totals helped accurately guide the kinds of warnings that needed to be issued. Once forecast totals in lower-lying cities reach “5, 6, 7, 8 inches, the impacts are pretty much the same” in terms of flooding and landslide risk, Kittell said.
That messaging helped fuel substantial storm preparedness, so officials and residents were not caught completely off guard when land began sliding in a number of hillside communities across L.A. County, including north of Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Westwood, as well as in Baldwin Hills and Hacienda Heights.
Pre-storm warnings also let residents know to stock and stack sandbags. And officials readied response teams like swift-water rescue crews that were needed across Southern California.
ESTRADA KCRA THREE NEWS KAROLINA. THANK YOU. WE GO NOW TO OUR WEATHER COVERAGE AND IT’S GOING TO BE STORMY FOR PART OF THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND. AND THAT COULD MAKE YOUR TIMING IMPORTANT. IF YOU PLAN ON TRAVELING, THIS IS A LIVE LOOK RIGHT NOW OVER HIGHWAY 50 AND RANCHO CORDOVA I-5 AND SACRAMENTO AND INTERSTATE 80. IN SODA SPRINGS. SO WITH MORE ON WHAT WE CAN EXPECT FOR THE WEEKEND, LET’S CHECK IN WITH OUR CHIEF METEOROLOGIST MARK FINAN. AND TODAY WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF CLOUD COVER IN THE AREA, BUT IT HAS BEEN DRY. BUT THIS AREA WILL BRING US SOME RAIN TOMORROW. AND THERE’S ANOTHER WEATHER SYSTEM THAT SHOULD BE MORE ROBUST. THAT WILL COME IN ON SUNDAY NIGHT AND INTO THE DAY ON MONDAY. BUT NOTICE THAT IN BETWEEN THERE ARE MANY AREAS WHERE IT’S DRY, SO THERE WILL BE SOME DRY TIMES THIS. THIS WEEKEND, LET ME LAY OUT JUST HOW THE WEEKEND IS GOING TO GO. SO FOR SATURDAY THERE WILL BE SOME AFTERNOON RAIN AND SNOW. SO USE THE MORNING HOURS TO TRAVEL THROUGH THE SIERRA, BUT ALSO TO DO ANYTHING YOU WANT IN THE VALLEY BECAUSE IT WILL BE CLOUDY LIKE IT WAS TODAY. BUT WE WILL START TO SEE SOME MODERATE RAIN IN THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING. ON SUNDAY, THE RAIN ALSO COMES BACK IN THE EVENING. MAYBE LATE AFTERNOON IN SOME SPOTS, BUT THAT ONCE AGAIN LEAVES THE MORNING. BUT THIS WILL BRING A LITTLE BIT MORE IN THE WAY OF WIND AS WELL AS MORE RAIN, ESPECIALLY OVERNIGHT SUNDAY AND INTO EARLY MONDAY. AND IF THERE’S ONE TIME THAT WE’RE MOST LOOKING AT OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, IT WILL BE VERY EARLY MONDAY MORNING WHEN WE HAVE THE POSSIBILITY. OF SOME BANDS OF HEAVIER RAIN THAT COULD IMPACT SOME OF THE AREA ROADS. FIRST THING ON MONDAY MORNING, LIKE BEFORE THE SUN COMES UP. BUT THERE WILL BE SOME DRY TIMES THREE DAY WEEKEND AS WEL
Northern California Forecast: Rain, snow expected Saturday followed by heavy winds Sunday
Updated: 11:47 PM PST Feb 16, 2024
Friday was another dry day, but rain and snow are expected to return this Presidents Day weekendOn Saturday, rain and snow showers are likely to arrive in the afternoon hours. The KCRA 3 weather team is calling Saturday an Impact Day because of how the weather could affect travel.Less than a half-inch of rain is expected to fall in the Valley. In the Foothills, anywhere from a half-inch to three-quarters of an inch could fall.Conditions on Sunday are expected to dry out after the morning hours. But Berg said rain will return Sunday evening lasting into overnight on Monday, with the potential of more than an inch of rain falling in the Valley.Because of the system coming Sunday evening and lasting into the next day, Monday is also going to be an Impact Day. Some gusty winds could happen Sunday night and Monday, but Chief Meteorologist Mark Finan said the winds do not appear like they will be strong enough for widespread damage.Timeline for snow in the SierraAccording to meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn, when the snow does hit the Sierra, it will mostly be at higher elevations.On Saturday morning, snow will begin at 5,800 feet, and that will rise to around 6,700 feet in the afternoon and drop back to 6,100 on Saturday evening.”Then things start to warm up,” “Verdoorn said. By Sunday afternoon, we’re up to around 7,000 feet, and then we see those snow levels start to steadily decrease as we make our way into Monday.”On Saturday, we are expecting anywhere from 3-6 inches of snow. And on Monday, Verdoorn said we could see up to a foot of snow.Because the systems coming through this weekend are warm, that is why more rain than snow is expected to fall.Get California storm-readyDownload our app for the latest breaking news and weather alertsTrack live California Doppler radarSee our live traffic mapSend us your weather videos and photosBe prepared for road closures: Download Caltrans’ QuickMap app or check the latest QuickMap road conditions here. This will also show chain control information.Follow our KCRA weather team on social mediaChief Meteorologist Mark Finan on Facebook and TwitterMeteorologist Tamara Berg on Facebook and TwitterMeteorologist Eileen Javora on FacebookMeteorologist Dirk Verdoorn on FacebookMeteorologist/Climate Reporter Heather Waldman on Facebook and TwitterWatch our forecasts on TV or onlineHere’s where to find our latest video forecast. You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here. The banner on our website turns red when we’re live.We’re also streaming on the Very Local app for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Friday was another dry day, but rain and snow are expected to return this Presidents Day weekend
On Saturday, rain and snow showers are likely to arrive in the afternoon hours. The KCRA 3 weather team is calling Saturday an Impact Day because of how the weather could affect travel.
Less than a half-inch of rain is expected to fall in the Valley. In the Foothills, anywhere from a half-inch to three-quarters of an inch could fall.
Conditions on Sunday are expected to dry out after the morning hours. But Berg said rain will return Sunday evening lasting into overnight on Monday, with the potential of more than an inch of rain falling in the Valley.
Because of the system coming Sunday evening and lasting into the next day, Monday is also going to be an Impact Day.
Some gusty winds could happen Sunday night and Monday, but Chief Meteorologist Mark Finan said the winds do not appear like they will be strong enough for widespread damage.
Timeline for snow in the Sierra
According to meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn, when the snow does hit the Sierra, it will mostly be at higher elevations.
On Saturday morning, snow will begin at 5,800 feet, and that will rise to around 6,700 feet in the afternoon and drop back to 6,100 on Saturday evening.
“Then things start to warm up,” “Verdoorn said. By Sunday afternoon, we’re up to around 7,000 feet, and then we see those snow levels start to steadily decrease as we make our way into Monday.”
On Saturday, we are expecting anywhere from 3-6 inches of snow. And on Monday, Verdoorn said we could see up to a foot of snow.
Because the systems coming through this weekend are warm, that is why more rain than snow is expected to fall.
FROST ADVISORY Eastern Santa Clara Hills until 9 a.m..
Temperatures as low as 33.
Chilly morning readings will give way to another mild afternoon today. A few high clouds will arrive for filtered sun at times.
Highs will range from the upper 50s at the coast to the lower 60s near the Bay Shore and Inland.
If you’re attending any Super Bowl watch parties in the Bay Area, temps will start out mostly in the 60s at 2 p.m. before dropping to the 50s by 7 p.m.
So you should bring a jacket.
The Look Ahead
Monday and Tuesday will be dry under partly cloudy skies with more 60s in the afternoons.
A chance of rain arrives Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
These systems will be light, ahead of an atmospheric river expected to bring heavier rain and windy conditions on the weekend and beyond.
7 Day Forecast
East Bay High Temps
Inland East Bay High Temps
North Bay High Temps
Peninsula High Temps
San Francisco High Temps
South Bay High Temps
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The biggest concern is Monday, when the storm is expected to have its strongest impact.
Orange County, Inland Empire
The National Weather Service now warns of “locally catastrophic and life-threatening flooding” for those areas, stating that “the system will stall, bringing heavy rain through Monday afternoon.”
Officials warned that the rainfall in Orange County and western Inland Empire areas could be “torrential.”
Anaheim, Irvine and Ontario could get 5 to 7 inches; San Clemente and San Bernardino could get 4 to 5; and Riverside and Lake Elsinore, 3 to 4.
Orange County issued an evacuation warning Sunday night for areas in the Santa Ana Mountains, including along sections of the Santiago, Silverado, Williams, Modjeska, Trabuco, Live Oak, Rose, Holy Jim and Black Star canyons, as well as around Irvine Lake.
Rain totals have increased for northern areas, where locally catastrophic and life-threatening flooding is expected for Orange County, western parts of the Inland Empire, and SBD Mtn coastal slopes ⚠️ #CAwx
Heavy snow could cause power outages and ramp up traffic danger in the mountains. “Heavy wet snow” is expected Monday evening into Tuesday, forecasters said.
Strong winds could be powerful enough to topple tree limbs and make driving difficult for high-profile vehicles. There could be gusts of up to 55 mph in the high desert and up to 75 mph in the San Bernardino Mountains.
The bigger picture
The changing forecast came as the storm moved south, walloping Los Angeles County and the heart of Southern California.
The forecast for Los Angeles County became more severe Sunday, with rainfall totals generally rising by about 2 inches. It’s now possible that Pasadena could see up to 10 inches of rain; Northridge, Pomona and Santa Clarita could get 7; downtown Los Angeles, Long Beach and Westlake Village, 6; and Redondo Beach, 5.
Peak wind gusts could be between 30 and 40 mph in downtown L.A., Long Beach, Pasadena and Pomona; 40 to 50 mph in Northridge and Redondo Beach; and nearly 60 mph in Santa Clarita and Westlake Village.
Several evacuation warnings and orders were issued in counties across Southern California.
There will be little relief from the inclement weather as the slow-moving storm will continue to dump generous amounts of rainfall through Monday.
Elevations of 6,500 feet and above may get 2-to-4 feet of snow in the mountains. Travelers are advised against going to the mountains due to low visibility and treacherous conditions.
A slow-moving storm powered by an atmospheric river will make for a wet morning commute on Monday as widespread rain will drench Southern California for much of the day.
Already the winter storm has delivered measurable rain to the region, and it isn’t finished quite yet. The inclement weather will continue to batter SoCal with strong showers and mountain snow at high elevations.
Monday’s commute is slated to be a challenging one with localized flooding, downed trees and the possibility of downed powerlines. Motorists are urged to take extra caution on the road and take their time getting to their destination.
“As you wake up tomorrow morning, certainly allow for some extra time,” NBC4 forecaster Melissa Magee warned.
That rain isn’t going anywhere and may even impact the evening commute.
“The concentration shifts on onto the east across areas in eastern LA County as well as Orange County and San Bernardino and Riverside Counties and it’s very good for a good portion of the morning,” Magee said. “We’ve got that rain concentrated over the same area before we get into Monday night.”
Timeline for the rain in SoCal
While the storm takes its time passing through Southern California, the timeline for the forecast is as follows:
4 a.m. – still widespread across most of SoCal, but likely clear around Oxnard for a break
10 a.m. – clearing a bit above Malibu for a break and remains widespread across the region
2 p.m. – rain will begin to creep back into Oxnard and Malibu as it drenches everything east and south to those areas
6 p.m. – widespread with a possible break around Santa Clarita before it moves back in around 7 p.m.
Significant rainfall may fall in the mountains and those showers will likely trickle down to the basin.
“Some of the rain rates across the mountain spots might actually be into half-an-inch to an inch per hour rate,” said NBCLA forecaster David Biggar said. “All that water’s got to go somewhere, that’s why we have the high risk for some flooding.”
Most areas of SoCal can expect anywhere from 3 to 6 inches of rain, while the foothills and low-elevation mountains may face 6 to 12 inches. Mountain elevations of 6,500 feet may get 2-to-4 feet of snow. Visibility will be reduced at these elevations, so travelers are advised against going to these areas.
LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said schools will remain open amid the winter storm, saying the district is an “essential service” to its students that must continue to provide for them. Jonathan Gonzalez reports for the NBC4 News on Feb. 4, 2024.
How to prepare for the rain
According to NBC4 meteorologist Belen de Leon, here are some tips on how to prep for the storm:
Change travel plans to avoid dangerous roads
Fill and place sandbags in vulnerable areas
Move parked cars out of flood-prone, low-lying areas
Charge up batteries and phones in case of power outages
Secure any loose objects outside
Change plans involving boating over open waters
Get extra supplies and gas in mountains, residents might be stranded for days
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office issued a state of emergency for Southern California counties in the storm’s path.
February is typically the wettest month of the year in Los Angeles with downtown LA averaging 3.64 inches of rain for the month. This multi-day storm is expected to bring that amount and possibly more over a 24- to 48-hour period and rival some of the highest rain totals from last year, including the nearly 3 inches of rain produced over two days by the remnants of Tropical Storm Hillary in August.
“If you are not home already, please get home and stay home,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Sunday afternoon.
The significant rainfall threat led to evacuation warnings that went into effect for some flood- and slide-prone areas. Those included the La Tuna Canyon area in the Los Angeles’ northern San Fernando Valley.
“Because it’s moving slow, that is the cause for that flooding potential we’ll see here in Southern California,” said NBCLA forecaster Shanna Mendiola.
A winter storm batters Santa Barbara, forcing the city to close its beaches and warn residents to stay safe. Karma Dickerson reports for the NBC4 News on Feb. 4, 2024.
Resources for unhoused residents
Those who are unhoused can head to several winter shelter locations that have opened in Los Angeles. Those who need transportation to the shelters can call 211 for assistance.
The following locations are open for residents who are experiencing homelessness:
Mid Valley Senior Citizen Center — 8825 Kester Ave., Panorama City, Calif. 91402
Lincoln Heights Senior Citizen Center — 2323 Workman St., Los Angeles, Calif. 90031
South LA Sports Activity Center — 7020 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, Calif. 90003
Oakwood Recreation Center — 767 California Ave., Venice, Calif. 90291
Safety officials urged unhoused residents to stay away from riverbeds as water levels were expected to rise amid the rainfall.
Impact on schools
Despite the heavy rain, LAUSD schools will remain open, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho announced Sunday. Vinedale College Preparatory Academy in Sun Valley, which was under an evacuation warning, was set to close on Monday, however. Its students and staff were being moved to Glenwood Elementary.
California State University announced its campuses in Los Angeles, Long Beach and Fullerton will be remote on Monday. CSU Dominguez Hills canceled all classes and in-person activities for Monday, it said in a text sent to students and staff.
Pepperdine University announced classes would be canceled on Monday due to the storm. Graduate schools would communicate with students if their classes will be remote.
Flood warnings and advisories in Southern California
Click here for severe weather alerts throughout Southern California.
Most of Los Angeles County was under at flash flood warning Sunday night.
A flash flood warning was issued for the Ventura River at Foster Park through late Monday morning. Residents can expect flooding at Terro Ranch upstream of the Main Street bridge in Ventura.
A flood watch will go into effect Sunday for inland Orange County and parts of Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
High wind warnings and coastal flood advisories were in effect for the LA and Ventura county coasts. A less severe wind advisory was in effect for inland LA County and downtown Los Angeles.
The sun finally came out Saturday and broke a gloomy, downright dreary streak of cloudy January days for the Big Apple. It had been 11 days since the sun graced our concrete jungle.
But as we know, sunshine doesn’t always equal warmer days. We got a second day of sun on Sunday with wind chills in the 20s for the morning.
Temps hold near early February averages through Wednesday, then we start to warm up by the end of the week. We’re set to feel 10 to 15 degrees above average next weekend.
Right now, there is only minor rain chances in the 10-day forecast. We’re looking at the potential for sprinkles, light rain maybe, on Friday night and a slightly better chance of rain the following Monday.
On Friday at 11:27 p.m. an updated severe thunderstorm warning was issued by the NWS Fort Worth TX in effect until Saturday at 12:30 a.m. The warning is for Dallas, Ellis, Kaufman and Rockwall counties.
Residents should prepare for wind gusts of up to 60 mph.
According to the NWS, “For your protection get inside a sturdy structure and stay away from windows.”
This warning is in effect until Saturday at 12:30 a.m.
Actions to take when lightning threat is imminent
Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year. Most of the strikes occur in the summer, killing 20 people each year, according to the NWS. Chance of lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is overhead. It diminishes as the storm moves away.
Here are recommendations for maintaining safety during a thunderstorm:
• To minimize risk of being struck by lightning, when going outside, have a plan to get to a safer place.
• If the sky becomes threatening and thunder can be heard, find a safe place to shelter.
• Once indoors, avoid touching corded phones, electrical equipment, plumbing, and windows and doors.
• Wait 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder before going back outside.
If finding indoor shelter is not an option:
• Steer clear of open fields, hilltops, or ridge tops.
• Stay away from tall, isolated trees or other tall objects. If you are in a forest, stay near a lower stand of trees.
• If you are with a group, fan out to stop the current from transmitting between members.
• When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region. Just remember, tents do not offer protection from lightning.
• Keep a distance from water, wet articles, and metal objects. While water and metal do not draw lightning, they are proficient conductors of electricity.
What steps to follow when driving in the rain?
• Switch on headlights — Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.
• While on the road — Opt for the middle lanes and remain on higher ground. Rainwater tends to gather along the road edges.
• Avoid puddles — Driving into puddles or low rainwater areas can lead to vehicles hydroplaning or losing control.
• Do not follow large vehicles closely — Large vehicles like trucks or buses can create a spray of water that can reduce your visibility.
• Avoid flooded areas — When encountering a flooded road, do a U-turn and head back. The strong currents from flash floods can pull drivers off roadways. Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle’s mechanical and electrical systems.
What is hydroplaning?
Hydroplaning happens when a vehicle starts sliding uncontrollably on wet roads.
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle’s weight can push water out of the way. The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control. Hydroplaning is primarily caused by three factors:
1. Vehicle speed — When a vehicle’s speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases. Drive at a reduced speed during wet weather.
2. Water depth — The deeper the water, the sooner a vehicle loses traction on the road. It doesn’t matter how deep the water is, even a thin layer can lead to hydroplaning.
3. Tire tread depth — Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.
In the event of your vehicle hydroplaning, here’s what to know:
• Ease off the accelerator — Step off the gas to slow down the vehicle until the tires find traction.
• Turn into the skid — Turning into the skid can help the vehicle’s tires realign to regain control.
• Make sure the tires reconnect with the road — During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.
• Brake gently as needed — Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.
Source: The National Weather Service
This story was originally published February 2, 2024, 11:08 PM.
Make sure to have your umbrella handy and take your time on the roads this weekend; a second storm system is taking aim for Southern California and is slated to bring more rain than the one from earlier this week.
Saturday will have heavy cloud coverage but it will still be possible to enjoy the break in showers since the inclement weather is forecast to arrive late at night.
“I think we’ll stay dry for much of the day until we get to the overnight hours,” NBC4 Meteorologist David Biggar said.
Although it is still unclear exactly when the rain will arrive, the first bit of showers are expected to creep into the Oxnard area sometime Saturday evening. Once early Sunday begins, however, the rain is slated to be more widespread across the region.
“We definitely think we’re going to get the heaviest rainfall in the Sunday timeframe, possibly lingering into early Monday,” Biggar continued in his forecast.
He added that significant rainfall may douse the mountains and those showers will likely trickle down to the basin.
With SoCal’s storm weather, you might be wondering what these terms mean. Shanna Mendiola explains Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
“Some of the rain rates across the mountain spots might actually be into half-an-inch to an inch per hour rate,” Biggar said. “All that water’s got to go somewhere, that’s why we have the high risk for some flooding.”
Most areas of SoCal can expect anywhere from 3 to 6 inches of rain, while the foothills and low-elevation mountains may face 6 to 12 inches. Mountain elevations of 6,500 feet may get several feet of snow.
Rain is slated to last possibly into Monday.
“The highest flash flooding risk for Sunday will likely be across Ventura County, extending partly into LA County, but you’ll notice that the risk increases as we get into Monday for a much larger portion of the region.”
As the city of Los Angeles prepares for a storm, LAUSD school leaders will send updates regarding weather delays and school access, and Caltrans crews will monitor flood-prone areas. Alex Rozier reports for the NBC4 News on Feb. 2, 2024.
LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Southern California will have a nice, warm Sunday as some communities could see highs of nearly 80, but it looks like the rain and cooler temperatures are set to return later in the week.
Los Angeles and Orange counties Sunday will see temperatures climb to 78 Sunday, but rain will return Wednesday night with a 40% chance of some showers. The cool temperatures return the following day, staying mostly in the low 60s.
The valleys and Inland Empire will see similar conditions Sunday.
Beaches will see a high of 73 degrees with some clouds.
Mountains will see a high of 53, with strong winds in the passes, and temperatures plunging to 39 overnight.
Deserts will be sunny and breezy with a high of 67, dropping to 37 overnight.
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Rain and dangerous high surf are battering Southern California, prompting urgent safety warnings in coastal areas after damaging waves hit earlier this week.
Saturday forecast
Showers begin hitting Southern California early Saturday morning.
The forecast calls for several hours of rain, including a few hours of intense showers, and cooler temperatures.
“We’re expecting significant rainfall for two to three hours on Saturday,” said meteorologist David Sweet of the National Weather Service in Oxnard. “It’s not going to be as strong as the storm system we saw last week; for a few hours it will cause some nuisance flooding. Drivers should be aware of puddling in roadways and give themselves more time or slow down.”
“Our recommendation is not to venture into the water, especially in those areas where the surf is showing heavy activity and large swells,” said Pono Barnes, spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Lifeguard Division. “It’s not the best day to start your surfing journey or testing your skills in the water if you’re not 100% confident.”
For those near the water, officials said to pay close attention.
“Take caution and heed the direction of local authorities and lifeguards,” the National Weather Service said. “Never ever turn your back to the water as damaging and life-threatening sneaker waves are likely to occur.”
The forecast calls for 15- to 20-foot waves, including sets of up to 25-foot waves, along the Central Coast. Ventura County beaches are expected to receive 10- to 15-foot waves, with 20-foot sets. Santa Barbara County beaches along the South Coast will be hit with 7- to 12-foot waves and in some areas 15- to 20-foot sets along west-facing beaches near Point Conception, according to forecasts.
Dangerous conditions
The NWS said local beaches have an “extreme” risk of flooding and high waves Saturday. Those are the same conditions that hit Ventura County on Thursday, causing damage to homes and leaving some people injured.
The wave that crashed into Ventura County is known as a “sneaker wave,” officials said.
The powerful waves are created by larger than average swells that can suddenly and without warning surge much farther inland than expected, breaking over rocks and lifting logs or driftwood onto the beach with deadly force, according to the National Weather Service. Some sneaker waves can surge more than 150 feet up the beach, catching people off guard, causing them to lose their footing and even sweeping them back into the ocean, according to officials.
Longer-term forecast
Forecasts show a slight chance of rain on New Year’s Eve in the Pasadena area and lingering through New Year’s Day. The forecast shows a 20% to 30% chance for light rain.
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Nathan Solis, Ashley Ahn, Christian Martinez, Karen Garcia
There is no snow in the forecast for Southern California this holiday season, but residents can expect heavy rain, flooding on roadways and creeks, and thunderstorms as a slow-moving winter storm system lingers over the region through Friday.
Forecasts show that Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be warmer and dry.
A tightly-wound and well-defined low-pressure storm system about 300 miles off the coast of the San Francisco Bay Area is slowing making its way south, according to the National Weather Service.
Typically, winter storm systems are propelled by the Pacific jet stream, meteorologist Ryan Kittell from the National Weather Service in Oxnard said. But this holiday low-pressure system is cut off from the stream and merely wobbling its way toward Southern California in a cyclonic flow.
The National Weather Service issued a special marine weather warning for the Central Coast on Wednesday morning due to the potential for water spouts and strong winds. There is a slight chance that the current conditions will cause a tornado or water spout to form in the area between Point Conception in Santa Barbara County and Los Angeles County, according to the forecast.
There is a flood watch in effect for the next two days for most of Southern California. Residents in San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties should be on the lookout for debris flows, flash flooding, general flooding and overflowing rivers, the National Weather Service said.
Areas along the Santa Ynez and Santa Monica coastal ranges near isolated thunderstorms could see rainfall rates of an inch an hour Wednesday and Thursday. Other areas could expect to see 0.30 to 0.60 of an inch of rain per hour.
“It’s not a typical or classic winter storm that would drop rain for a few hours and then move along,” Kittell said.
The brunt of the storm is forecast to hit San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, according to the National Weather Service. Los Angeles County will also see heavy rainfall, but forecasters are a bit uncertain if the area will get the same drenching as is expected for the counties further north and west.
The storm is expected to bring flooding for most of the region through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service, which cautioned drivers to avoid driving on roads that appear to be under water.
Southern California residents can expect showers throughout Friday, which will give way to gusty winds on Saturday and slightly warmer temperatures by Sunday, according to the forecast.
The slow-moving storm is also a bit warmer than average, Kittell said, dashing any hopes for snow below the 7,500-foot mark.
“It’s going to be cold, but not terribly cold,” Kittell said.
(Reuters) – U.S. genetic testing Illumina on Thursday trimmed its annual profit forecast for the second straight quarter, hurt by weakness in demand for its sequencing instruments, consumables and services.
Shares of the San Diego, California-based company fell about 9% to $97.51 in extended trading, after it also missed Wall Street estimates for third-quarter sales.
The U.S. life sciences firm in the last quarter had flagged weakness in demand for its genetic testing tools and diagnostics products over protracted recovery in China, cautious consumer spending and lengthened sales cycles.
Sales at its core business, which advances sequencing instruments, consumables and services for genetic analysis, were $941 million in the third quarter, compared with LSEG estimates of $963.80 million.
Illumina also disclosed it recognized $712 million in goodwill and $109 million in intangible asset impairment related to the Grail segment, in the quarter.
The company’s deal for cancer test maker Grail is facing pressure from antitrust regulators. Illumina said last month it would divest Grail in 12 months, according to the terms of the European Commission’s order, if it does not win its challenge in court.
Illumina sees full-year adjusted profit per share to be between $0.60 and $0.70, versus its prior forecast range of $0.75 to $0.90.
It makes tools and provides sequencing services to hospitals, biotech and pharmaceutical companies for disease research and drug development process. It also makes and sells molecular diagnostic tests.
Its total revenue was $1.12 billion for the third quarter, compared with analysts’ average estimate of $1.13 billion.
It expects FY23 consolidated revenue to decrease 2% to 3% from FY22.
On an adjusted basis, the company earned 33 cents per share during the quarter, versus analysts’ estimate of 12 cents per share.
(Reporting by Pratik Jain in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar)
Days after an unseasonably warm October heat wave, light rain is falling in parts of Southern California and could last through the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
Light showers are expected to last in the San Gabriel Mountains and foothills into Monday afternoon, said Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist with the weather service’s Oxnard office. Rainfall amounts are expected to be around a quarter of an inch total; about a tenth of an inch had already fallen Monday morning. There’s also some light rain in the coastal areas of Orange County.
Temperatures are expected to be cooler than normal, and ranging in the 70s, with some on-and-off clouds, Kittell said. Beyond Monday, there isn’t much rain in the forecast for the rest of the week.
Southern Santa Barbara County, the Interstate 5 corridor and Antelope Valley could see gusty, northwest winds ranging from 15 to 25 mph into Monday night, according to the weather service. Potential effects include hazardous driving conditions and unsecured and loose items being blown over.
The marine layer and fog could return Tuesday, with some mist and drizzle associated with that going into Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures could remain cooler than normal, with most areas seeing highs in the 70s and then lowering into the upper 60s and lower 70s on Wednesday.
Things are expected to warm up to the 70s by Friday, according to Kittell. There’s a potential Santa Ana event Sunday and Monday, bringing in offshore wind, warm and dry conditions and heightened fire risk.
There’s also rain in the forecast for other parts of California.
The Bay Area received up to half an inch of rainfall in some areas Sunday, with showers expected to linger into Monday night, according to the weather service. A cold front is expected to approach the region early Thursday morning, followed by a low-pressure system from the west, bringing higher chances of rain Friday.
There will be a significant drop in temperatures from the cold front, with some parts of the Bay Area to see temperatures in the upper 40s in the mornings from Thursday into Sunday.
Hurricane Nicole made landfall on Florida’s east coast early Thursday morning as a Category 1 storm, according to the National Hurricane Center—though it was quickly downgraded back to a tropical storm an hour later—bringing sustained wind, rain and power outages to Florida as the state still continues to recover from Hurricane Ian.
People check-out the waves at Causeway Beach Park before Hurricane Nicole makes landfall in Jensen … [+] Beach, Florida on November 9.
AFP via Getty Images
Key Facts
Nicole made landfall on Florida’s North Hutchinson Island, south of Vero Beach, with estimated maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour, the NHC reported at 3:00 a.m. Eastern time Thursday.
The NHC then updated at 4:00 a.m. to say Nicole was now a tropical storm, with maximum sustained winds of 70 miles per hour.
The storm is expected to move through central Florida Thursday toward the Gulf of Mexico, and will then move across the Florida Panhandle and Georgia Thursday night into Friday, the NHC reported as of 4:00 a.m.
The storm is expected to continue to weaken as it moves inland, and central and northern Florida are expected to receive three to five inches of rain (maximum eight inches), while some parts of the Florida coast could receive up to five feet of storm surge and tornadoes are possible in parts of the state through early Thursday morning.
Flooding had already been reported in Florida last night ahead of Nicole’s arrival, according to local newsreports, and some areas were under mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders ahead of the storm, along with some buildings that had already suffered structural damage from Hurricane Ian.
More than 40 Florida counties are under a state of emergency, after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued an emergency declaration earlier this week and then amended it Wednesday to include an additional 11 counties.
Big Number
63,619. That’s the number of customers in Florida without power as of 3:50 a.m. Eastern time, according to PowerOutage.us.
What To Watch For
Americans in more northern states will also see rainfall from Nicole as the storm moves inland and weakens, with the NHC projecting the southeast, southern Appalachians and western mid-Atlantic region will receive two to four inches of rain through Saturday, including eastern parts of Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio. Northern mid-Atlantic states and New England will receive one to four inches of rain.
Surprising Fact
Nicole is the first hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. in November since Hurricane Kate in 1985, CNN notes.
Tangent
The mandatory evacuation orders for Hurricane Nicole include former President Donald Trump’s Mar-A-Lago club in Palm Beach County—which is already currently closed to guests—but the Washington Postreports the ex-president did not plan to evacuate.
Key Background
Hurricane Nicole arrives in Florida weeks after the state was already battered by Hurricane Ian, which made landfall in late September. The storm ranks as one of the state’s deadliest recent storms, killing more than 100 people, and caused an estimated $67 billion in damage, making it the second costliest storm next to Hurricane Katrina.
