Southern California winter rains break records, with another storm on the way

"California's already wet winter is breaking rainfall records, with another powerful storm moving in this weekend along with the threat of new flooding and mudslides. After a remarkable dry streak in 2024 that helped fuel last January's firestorms, this winter is making up for it, with some areas already approaching average rain totals for the entire season. "It's been an interesting season," said Mike Wofford, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard. "We're way above normal for precipitation.""

"The latest storm will usher in gusty wind, more precipitation and possible flooding in burn scar areas. The cold front moving into the state from the northwest is expected to reach the Los Angeles area by Saturday and bring rain and high-elevation snow through Sunday. In Los Angeles, the rain is expected to be less punishing than the previous storm that triggered significant flooding, road closures and rescues, but it will be heavier along the Central Coast, Wofford said."

""The amount of rain that we've gotten is likely going to ensure that we're not going to have any large fires in the next couple of weeks, but beyond that we really can't say," said David Acuña, a battalion chief with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. "If we were to transition into a dry spell, it does not take very long for those green and brown grasses to dry out completely.""

California's winter has produced record rainfall and multiple storms, with some areas nearing typical seasonal totals despite a dry 2024. Precipitation totals are well above normal for the rainy season that began Oct. 1, with strong systems in December and early January. A cold front from the northwest will bring rain, high-elevation snow, gusty winds, and elevated flooding and mudslide risk, especially in burn-scar areas. Rainfall intensity will be heavier along the Central Coast, while Los Angeles expects less severe rain than the prior damaging storm. Recent wet conditions have temporarily reduced near-term wildfire risk, but a prolonged dry spell could rapidly reverse that benefit.

Read at Los Angeles Times