The National Weather Service said Sunday that a “winter-like” storm will sweep through Southern California Monday night into Wednesday and could bring “significant” rainfall.
Most of the rain is expected to fall Monday night into Tuesday afternoon, which could cause headaches for commuters.
Rainfall totals during this period could range from three-quarters of an inch to 1.5 inches, said Richard Thompson, a weather service meteorologist. Rainfall amounts of up to 3.5 inches are possible in the mountains and foothills.
He said rainfall amounts could reach half an inch or more per hour, causing the weather service to place the burned area under a flood watch from Monday night into Tuesday afternoon.
Thunderstorms and strong gusty winds are also possible.
Thompson said while it’s still early in the season, a storm or two in October isn’t unheard of.
“Typically we have a dry October,” he said, “but we do get storms sometimes.”
The early-season storm forecast coincides with the official return of La Niña, the weather pattern that typically causes drought in Southern California.
After last year’s below-average rainfall, the return of marine phenomena could mean another drier-than-average winter, further exacerbating fire conditions in the region.
Times staff writer Grace Toohey contributed to this report.
