The first week of the new year brings new storms to California, with snow, rain, increased surf, gusty winds and possible thunderstorms.
Forecasts show a series of storms will arrive in Southern California on Tuesday night, bringing widespread light rain around 10 pm and lasting into Wednesday morning.
Los Angeles County can expect between a quarter and three-quarters of an inch of rain as the first part of a cold front moves through the region. Temperatures will range from 6 to 12 degrees below average, according to the National Weather Service.
Snow levels are expected to drop to 4,500 to 5,500 feet, according to the National Weather Service. Mountain communities above the 5,000-foot range can expect 3 to 6 inches of snow, and in some areas up to 8 inches, according to forecasts.
“The first part of the storm will pass pretty quickly,” said meteorologist Ryan Kittle of the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
There is a 20% chance of thunderstorms for Los Angeles and Ventura counties Wednesday morning.
The storm will conclude Wednesday night, with scattered light rain concentrated at higher elevations and colder than average temperatures. Snow levels will drop further, to around 4,000 to 4,500 feet. The Grapevine section of Interstate 5 could receive 1 to 2 inches of snow. Wind gusts of 20 to 40 mph are also expected.
A second storm system is expected Saturday night or early Sunday, bringing additional light rain and even lower snow levels. Snow is forecast in the 3,000-foot range, the lowest since the start of the winter season.
“Details about the next storm are still evolving, but it doesn’t look like it will bring much rain,” Kittle said. “But it will be much colder.”
California will also see more strong surf along the coast, but it will be nothing like the onslaught of waves that crashed into shore last week from the Central Coast to Los Angeles County.
Surf will increase starting Tuesday night and remain active through Thursday, with an increased risk of dangerous rip currents along the southwest coast, according to the National Weather Service. High surf advisories will be in effect for the region, with breaking waves of 10 to 18 feet along the Central Coast, waves of 7 to 12 feet in Ventura County, and waves of 5 to 10 feet in Los Angeles County. . High surf will be concentrated along northwest-facing beaches, including Ventura Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and the Palos Verdes Peninsula, according to forecasts.
There will be a slight lull in surf activity before it picks up over the weekend. the National Weather Service said in Xformerly known as Twitter.
“People should really stay away from the water and rock jetties,” Kittle said, noting that wave activity is expected to peak Sunday.
