NWS: Two Storm Systems to Break Southern California Heat

The National Weather Service Los Angeles office warned on Tuesday that two weather systems will bring rain to the Southland starting Thursday night. This marks the end of a long period of unseasonably warm and dry weather.

The agency stated that disturbances will cause light to moderate rain from late Thursday through the middle of next week. Residents were advised to adjust their plans for wet and cooler conditions.

The first system may produce brief periods of moderate to heavy rain on Friday night. However, forecasters expect total rainfall through Saturday morning to stay below one inch in most areas.

In Orange County, the weather service predicted mostly light showers from Friday into Saturday. Guidance shows a 15% to 35% chance of more than half an inch of rain in the coastal basin from Friday morning through early Sunday.

Rain is expected to taper off from west to east on Saturday morning. In Los Angeles County, the rain could end before noon. A second, colder system may arrive on Monday. This system is faster moving and could bring brief heavy showers. Forecasters expect it to add less than half an inch of rain and last fewer than six hours.

A third storm system might approach around Wednesday or Thursday. Its timing and strength are currently uncertain. The NWS also warned of elevated to high surf at area beaches through early next week. Large, damaging surf is possible over the weekend. Strong rip currents, long shore currents, and sneaker waves are expected.

Warm and sunny weather continues today. Highs in Los Angeles County coastal and valley areas will reach the 80s to around 90. Orange County coast and valley temperatures will range from the upper 70s to upper 80s. A cooling trend begins Thursday as high pressure weakens. Los Angeles County temperatures are expected to drop about 10 degrees. Orange County temperatures are expected to cool by up to five degrees.