Light rain falling in Southern California, with heavier rain expected late at night

Light rain began falling in the Santa Ana Mountains of Orange County and most of Los Angeles County on Monday morning, Jan. 9, with heavier rain in the first in a new series of storms expected to drench the region beginning well after dark.

“We don’t expect much today,” said Joe Dandrea, a meteorologist in the National Weather Service.

As of 10:30 a.m., only the South Bay and San Gabriel Valley had not received more than trace amounts of rain in Los Angeles County, said Todd Hall, another Weather Service meteorologist.

The most significant rainfall is expected after 10 p.m., with rates starting with a quarter-inch per hour.

Heavier rain is expected when the cold front moves in late Tuesday morning. That rain could cause urban flooding and, in higher elevations, dangerous runoff. Motorists are advised to not drive through flooded roads.

A quick refresher on what “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” means. If you try to walk or drive through flood waters, you could get stuck or swept away. The image below shows how dangerous water can be. If you see flooded water, do NOT try and cross it. Thus, “turn around, don’t drown.” pic.twitter.com/PGqHxEveyz

— NWS Hanford (@NWSHanford) January 8, 2023

The region is likely to see heavy rain and snow, as well as powerful winds blowing in from the north. The latest storms are part of a “relentless parade of atmospheric rivers,” long, narrow plumes of moisture in the atmosphere – like rivers in the sky, the Weather Service said.

Rainfall amounts are on track for 2 to 4 inches for the coast and valleys, and up to 4 to 8 inches in the mountains.

In Orange County and the Inland Empire, a flood watch is in effect from late Monday through Tuesday evening. At 10:30 a.m., people in the Santa Ana River were warned to move to higher ground.

Heavy rain and potential flooding will move into #SanBernardinoCounty overnight. #SBCoFD Battalion Chief Mike Wakoski shows how to use sandbags to protect your property. Sandbags and sand are available throughout the county.

Find a location & prepare now: https://t.co/m5APgBWz7a pic.twitter.com/pHDXm3ATrR

— San Bernardino County Fire (@SBCOUNTYFIRE) January 4, 2023

The weather service predicts possible thunderstorms on Tuesday for downtown Riverside, Hemet and Temecula.

The snow level is expected to get down to 5,500 feet by Tuesday evening in the mountains, where 40-mph gusts are expected Monday night, and 45-mph gusts on Tuesday evening.

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