Cooler Weather and Rain Expected in Southern California This Weekend

LOS ANGELES, California — A low-pressure system is set to move into Southern California this weekend, bringing cooler temperatures and scattered showers, according to the National Weather Service.

Starting Friday, morning clouds are expected to give way to afternoon sunshine, though some drizzle may occur late Friday and into Saturday morning, said NBC 7 Meteorologist Sheena Parveen. Clouds will increase throughout Saturday, but most of the day will remain dry until nighttime when scattered showers may arrive.

While this storm system is not heavily saturated, Meteorologist Greg Bledsoe noted that rain totals are expected to be minimal, ranging from a tenth of an inch or less for areas west of the mountains, with higher elevations receiving slightly more precipitation.

The forecast includes a significant drop in high temperatures on Sunday as colder air moves through the region. The National Weather Service predicts below-average temperatures through Monday, followed by a gradual warming trend by midweek.

For Saturday, temperatures in Los Angeles and Orange counties are expected to reach a high of 67 degrees and drop to a low of 56. Drizzle in the morning could transition into showers overnight into Sunday. The beaches will see highs around 63 degrees with a low of 54, while mountain temperatures will peak at 61 degrees but plummet into the mid-40s by Sunday.

Desert regions may experience gusty winds, with highs reaching 75 degrees under partly sunny skies and a slight chance of rain on Sunday.

Gusty winds are anticipated, especially near mountainous areas and deserts, with westerly gusts ranging from 35 to 55 mph, and could locally reach 65 mph, prompting a Wind Advisory from 6 PM Saturday until 6 AM Sunday.

Sunday is forecasted to be the coolest day of the week, with temperatures expected to be 7 to 25 degrees below average. The coast and valleys can expect highs in the upper-50s to mid-60s, while mountains will see highs only in the 40s, and deserts could peak at 70 degrees.

According to meteorologists, while a slight chance of showers remains on Monday, the latter part of next week offers a promising warm-up with sunny conditions returning as temperatures approach the 90s in desert areas.