Southern California Faces Heavy Rain and Flood Risks This Week

LOS ANGELES, California — Southern California is bracing for heavy rain as the latest storm could last through Friday, causing potential flooding and severe weather risks across the region. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch from Thursday night through Friday morning for most of Los Angeles County.

Forecasters suggest the storm could create periods of intense rainfall, with some areas expecting up to 1 inch per hour. Heavy showers are also predicted to extend into the early part of the weekend, along with possible thunderstorms and wind gusts up to 50 mph.

“This storm presents a severe weather threat across L.A. County,” the service warned, noting that conditions could also foster the creation of tornado-like phenomena. While not every area will see the harshest rain, local flooding is foreseen where intense downpours occur.

Recent storms have already doused Southern California, leading to record rainfall. Santa Barbara Airport registered its wettest November since 1941, with over 8 inches of rain recorded this month. In downtown Los Angeles, 3.48 inches of rain has fallen since the start of November, nearly ten times the average for this time of year.

Local meteorologists are also keeping a close watch on areas recently affected by wildfires. Heavy rains can trigger mudslides and debris flows, especially in burn scars like those from the Eaton and Palisades fires.

“The rainfall we’ve seen so far has dramatically improved our conditions against the wildfire threat this season,” said meteorologist Dave Munyan. He noted that the persistent moisture could help reduce the risks associated with fire-whipping Santa Ana winds.

As the storm approaches, forecasts indicate that areas in Riverside and Imperial counties may also experience flash flood alerts, prompting residents to prepare for potential evacuations. High-risk locations have already seen warnings issued, and residents are encouraged to stay updated through local alerts.

With Thanksgiving approaching, a break from precipitation is expected following this weather system, leading to warmer and drier conditions through the holiday.