We are monitoring some light rain over parts of Southern California. This video was broadcast on the NBC4 News at 6 a.m. on March
What to Know
- Rainfall rates will be light to moderate, but thunderstorms could produce heavy downpours.
- Strong winds, small hail, flooding and lightning are possible.
- Scattered showers with break in the rain are in Thursday's forecast before the storm winds down Friday.
- In Sierra Madre, an evacuation warning was in effect due to the possibility of debris flows.
Los Angeles and Southern California will see periods of rain Thursday with thunderstorms possible as an early March storm soaks the region.
Rainfall rates will be light to moderate, but any thunderstorms could produce heavy downpours. Gusty winds, lightning, and small hail are possible.
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The rainfall arrives about two months after January wildfires in Southern California, including the Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles County. The fires stripped brush from hillsides, leaving them more vulnerable to mud and debris flows as rainfall rates increase.
In Sierra Madre, an evacuation warning was in effect due to the possibility of debris flows. During the mid-February storms, a debris and rock flow in little Santa Anita Creek damaged homes and streets.
In the mountains, snow levels will be around 4,000 feet, which could impact travel through major mountain passes.
The rainfall comes after a slow start the wet season in Southern California. Extreme drought has spread into parts of San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties. Most of Los Angeles County is under moderate drought, the least severe drought category, in the lastest US Drought Monitor report.
At this time last year, California was drought-free after significant rainfall in February, according to the report.
See below for what to expect and when for the remainder of this week.
When will it rain in LA?
Expect scattered showers Thursday with some breaks in the rain. Thunderstorms could produce downpours, flooding, strong winds, lightning, small hail and weak tornadoes.
"We've got some winds increasing overnight along the coasts, also in the deserts and mountains," said NBC4 meteorologist Belen De Leon. "We're going to feel those winds during the afternoon hours."
Wednesday didn't deliver much snow to the mountains, but Thursday likely will.
With cold temperatures in place over the region, elevations of 4,000 feet and above may see some activity -- potentially even in the Grapevine.
Breezy conditions and continued showers will greet the rest of the Southland.
"I think as we get into the afternoon, this is when we'll start to pop up some additional showers and the possibility of some thunderstorms," NBC4 Meteorlogist David Biggar said.
He warned that thunderstorms on Thursday have the potential to be stronger than Wednesday's rain.
By the time the storm moves out Friday, most areas will pick of 0.50 to 1 inch of rain with 1 to 2 inches in the mountains. Winter weather warnings and advisories going into effect Wednesday for Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside county mountains.
The storm will wind down Friday.
Temperatures will be in the 50s and 60s for most of Southern California before a weekend warmup.
