Christmas Storm: Southern California Braces for Rain and High Winds

Holiday Travel Disrupted by Storm

• ☔️ Holiday travel is expected to be impacted by incoming rain and wind hitting Southern California just in time for Christmas.
• ☁️ Monday sees an increase in clouds and slightly cooler temperatures, with a more significant temperature drop expected on Tuesday.

Significant Wind Event Expected

• 💨 Gusts of 20 miles per hour are present today, but will escalate significantly by Tuesday, with gusts reaching 40 miles per hour in Santa Barbara County and along the I-5 corridor.
• 🌬️ By late Tuesday and Wednesday morning, expect widespread gusts of 40 to 50 miles per hour across the San Fernando Valley, Malibu Coast, Ventura County, and mountain communities.
• ⚠️ A High Wind Watch is in effect, potentially extending to mountain areas, with sustained winds of 20-30 mph and gusts up to 80 mph in the mountains, posing a danger to driving and increasing the risk of downed trees and power lines.

Heavy Rainfall and Flood Risk

• 🌧️ Rain is forecast to begin by Tuesday afternoon or evening, with the heaviest rainfall expected overnight into Wednesday and continuing through the day.
• 🌊 A Flood Watch is in effect for all of Southern California from Tuesday through Thursday, with the potential for 1 inch of rain per hour, leading to flash flood warnings.
• 🌊 Dangerous conditions are also expected on the water, with a Gale Watch in effect until Wednesday morning.

Forecast for Key Regions

• 🌴 San Fernando Valley: Dry today in the 70s, with rain likely starting Tuesday evening and continuing through Friday, with a slight chance into the weekend.
• 🏖️ Coastal Areas: Dry today with a slight chance of rain starting Tuesday evening, experiencing very gusty winds on Wednesday and Thursday, with rain lingering through Friday and into the weekend.
• ⛰️ Santa Clarita Valley: Dry today in the low 70s, with rain expected to begin tomorrow and continue through Friday.