Southern California Braces for a Solid Rainfall Event

After a summer dominated by muggy tropical storms, Southern California is entering a cooler, drier phase. The region has recently endured the Bryson Fire near Malibu and the Palisades Fire, leaving fresh burn scars that are vulnerable to runoff. Historically, most storms that affect the area arrive from the south as tropical systems; this upcoming system is the first nontropical storm of the season, arriving from the north and bringing colder air.

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Forecasters anticipate the bulk of the rain to move into the Los Angeles basin Wednesday night and continue into Thursday morning. The San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, and coastal zones of Los Angeles and Orange counties could receive around one inch of rain, while hills and mountains may see up to three inches. The National Weather Service has warned that high rain rates could trigger flooding, especially in the recently burned Bryson and Palisades areas, where the soil cannot absorb heavy precipitation and landslides are a concern.

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The National Weather Service issued a flood watch covering the Santa Monica Mountains and surrounding communities from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday. The watch signals that heavy rain could cause streets, creeks, and rivers to overflow.

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• “We could see some pretty high rain rates,” — National Weather Service

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The combination of fresh burn scars and an unusually strong nontropical storm raises the likelihood of flash flooding and landslides in vulnerable neighborhoods. Residents in the affected valleys and mountain areas are advised to stay alert for rapid water level changes and to follow local emergency guidance.

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