Rain Headed for Parts of Southern California in Time for the Weekend

Southern California is in store for a soggy weekend, however, it could be the last major rain event in months for this part of the Golden State. Here is a look at what is on tap.

Wet Weekend on the Horizon for Southern California

The wet season is wrapping up across California, with one last weather maker taking aim at the region. A persistent dip in the jet stream could bring a few chances of lighter rainfall in May, but the opportunities will be few and far between.

Southern California could see its second straight weekend with rain. Last weekend's storm system delivered just a few tenths of an inch of rain to the coastal areas. This is the same storm that is currently impacting the southern Plains with torrential rain and thunderstorms.

Forecasters have now turned their attention to another storm building in the Pacific Ocean. This system could bring meaningful moisture to Los Angeles and San Diego. Meteorologists will monitor the track and speed of the storm to determine how much rain this part of California should expect. There is also a good chance that the higher terrains will see snow from this storm.

Any rain that does fall in Southern California will be intermittent at best. While some areas may see measurable rainfall, other communities may miss the rain entirely. The greatest chance of rain will be on Sunday.

In addition to garden variety rain showers, forecasters are warning that colder air circulating in the upper levels of the atmosphere could create locally strong thunderstorms during the afternoon hours. Some of the storm cells could pack damaging hail.

Although some of the cells could usher in heavy rain at times, the moisture is not likely going to be enough to raise concerns of flash flooding and mudslides. The biggest danger associated with this weather pattern will be slick roads as the water mixes with oil and other materials. The degree of precipitation is also not likely to bring significant relief to areas still dealing with drought conditions.

This is the time of the year when rainfall tends to dry up across Southern California. For instance, downtown Los Angeles typically picks up about 0.70 of an inch during the month of April. It has been even drier this year, with just 0.22 of an inch of rain that has fallen across the City of Angeles. All of this rain hit the city last Saturday. Conditions become even drier in May in Los Angeles, with an average of only about 0.30 of an inch of moisture during the entirety of the month.

Other Potential Impacts of the Weekend Storm

The weekend storm is not likely to be a major snow producer this late in the season. However, road conditions may become a bit dicey over Donner Pass along Interstate 80 in California. The top ridges and peaks in the southern portion of the Sierra Nevada may see a small accumulation of wet and slushy snow. Cooler air coming in with the storm will also work to slow down the snow melt that is happening now.

California state officials have been monitoring the snowpack levels across the Sierra Nevada. The snow that falls over this mountain range during the winter and early spring season provides a good bulk of the water during the dry season as the snowpack melts and flows into streams and reservoirs. This snowpack is now sitting at between 75% and 85% of the historical average for the central and northern portions of the mountains. The southern Sierra picked up less snow this past season, translating to a snowpack that is now just 50% of normal.

Lastly, forecasters are cautioning that the system could trigger stronger wind speeds across the high deserts. These winds may be powerful enough to lead to sporadic power outages at times.

Is This is the Last Major Rain Event of the Season for Southern California?

The big question on everyone's minds now is whether this will be the last rain event of the wet season for Southern California. Meteorologists are busy studying long-range forecast models to provide their predictions.

Water temperatures in the zone of the Pacific from Hawaii to Baja California, Mexico, are currently trending cooler than the average for this time of the year. The unseasonably cool ocean water temperatures could mitigate the development of a large high-pressure system in the western U.S. These high-pressure systems are what typically put a lid on rain showers and support a drier and warmer weather pattern. As a result, there could still be a few minor storms that track across Southern California in May.

The weekend storm in California is forecast to continue to track to the east beginning early next week. This movement will bring a renewed chance of heavy rain to the southern High Plains. The moisture would be welcome in this zone that is under severe drought in many areas. However, the influx of precipitation will also once again raise the threat of flash flooding in the south-central U.S.

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