Rainfall, heavy at times, is expected to continue Sunday in Southern California and remain at least through Tuesday in the Los Angeles area, with wet conditions and gray skies forecast to remain all the way to Thursday in the Inland Empire, according to the National Weather Service.
The Sunday forecast also includes a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon, with highs in the low 60s.
“Rain and high elevation snow will affect the area through Sunday as a couple of storm systems move over the region,” the NWS said.
As the storm that soaked the region last week moves eastward, “another weaker impulse will move into the area early Sunday,” forecasters said. “Drier weather is expected Tuesday night through late in the week, with cold nights for many areas Wednesday night through Friday.”
Evacuation warnings across neighborhoods in Los Angeles County —especially in recent burn scars — remain in effect and residents were advised to prepare in case orders to evacuate are necessary.
In addition, a L.A. County Department of Public Health advisory warning beach users “to avoid all water contact, especially near discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers due to potentially higher bacteria levels in these areas,” will be in effect untile at least 4 p.m. Monday. “This includes any runoff that may flow onto or pond on the beach sand.”
Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro will remain closed until further notice following a Christmas Day sewage flow.
Hilda Solis, chair of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, said county departments were “actively monitoring conditions and stand ready to respond to emergencies as needed.”
Caltrans has issued an indefinite closure for the 3.6-mile stretch of Topanga Canyon Boulevard known to experience mudslides between Pacific Coast Highway and Grand View Drive, in the unincorporated Topanga area. The reopening of the roadway was “dependent on improved weather and road conditions,” the agency said.
The Palisades Fire recovery work zone on PCH from Sunset Boulevard to Carbon Beach Terrace will remain open, “with crews on standby to respond to any storm impacts,” Caltrans said.
State Route 2 was closed from 3.3 miles east of Newcomb’s Ranch in La Canada Flintridge to state Route 138 in the Angeles National Forest.
To check on an evacuation status for a neighborhood, residents can visit the genasys map.
Motorists were also advised to stay off the roads if possible and to exercise extreme caution if they do drive.
State and local officials have precautions in place for weather-related emergency response needs. Gov. Gavin Newsom has directed the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to pre-position fire and rescue personnel and resources in areas most at risk for flooding, mud, and debris flows — including parts of Southern California, with a particular eye toward burn scar areas.