KTLA 5 News Weather Forecast: Rain Expected Thursday-Saturday in Southern California

Rain System Approaching Southern California

• 🌧️ A weather system is expected to bring rain to Southern California, with the Northwestern end of the viewing area potentially seeing it as early as Wednesday night.
• 🎯 The most likely timeframe for widespread rain across the region is Thursday through Saturday.
• 🗺️ Timing may vary, with areas like Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo possibly receiving rain earlier, while areas further south, like South Orange County, might see it by late Thursday morning or early afternoon.

Temperature Trends and Current Conditions

• ☀️ Current conditions show some marine layer rolling ashore, but daytime highs are expected to be warm, with Long Beach reaching 84°F and the San Gabriel Valley hitting 95°F.
• 📈 Over the past 24 hours, temperatures have varied, with some areas like Downey and Burbank being 4 degrees warmer, while Riverside and Palm Springs saw a couple of degrees drop.
• 🌡️ Current temperatures include 68°F in Burbank, 63°F in Fullerton, 58°F in Corona, and 59°F in Oxnard.

Next 10-Day Outlook

• 🌡️ By tomorrow, many spots will be closer to or around average temperatures.
• 📉 A significant drop is expected by Wednesday, with temperatures falling from 79°F to 70°F and holding there.
• 📅 Rain chances are most likely on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with dry conditions expected on Sunday, followed by potential rain again on Monday and Tuesday.

Weather System Dynamics

• ☁️ The current weather pattern is shifting from a dome of high pressure to an area of low pressure (trough) moving south.
• 💧 This trough will tap into subtropical moisture originating from the region of the Hawaiian Islands, serving as the primary moisture source for the upcoming rain.
• 🌊 While some moisture will come from the north, a significant plume is expected from the west, contributing to widespread rain.

Precipitation Estimates and Potential Hazards

• ☔ For the 5-county region, 1 to 2 inches of rain are expected west of the mountains.
• ⛰️ Areas against the foothills could see as much as 4 inches of rain.
• ⚡ There is a threat of thunderstorms overnight Thursday into Friday, along with gusty winds.
• ❄️ High-level snow is also a possibility in the mountains on Friday and Saturday.