A significant cooldown is expected this weekend as a late-season storm pushes into Southern California, bringing wind, cloudy skies and a slight chance of rain.
Starting Friday, the dramatic cooling trend could hit the region with colder-than-average temperatures and a 10 percent chance of thunderstorms forecast for Los Angeles County. Temperatures will be roughly 10 degrees colder than average for the county, where highs are normally in the mid to low 70s for areas including downtown Los Angeles.
Temperatures could drop another 10 to 15 degrees this weekend, starting with highs in the 70s and 80s on Friday and reaching the mid to low 60s on Sunday. Mountain and desert communities could see up to a 30-degree drop in temperature, officials said.
By Saturday afternoon, National Weather Service meteorologist Dr. Robbie Munroe said, widespread wind gusts will make the weekend “feel even colder” before letting up around Sunday evening. Wind gusts could reach peaks of 30 to 50 mph.
A 20 percent chance of showers may bring up to one-tenth of an inch or even a quarter inch in mountain areas on Saturday and Sunday, though forecasters say it’s unlikely to be much.
The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for northern Ventura County and far northwest portions of LA County until Thursday evening. This includes the city of Gorman along Interstate 5, which may see debris flow from burn scars following the Post Fire last year.
In Orange County and the Inland Empire, a widespread marine layer cloud will clear up by Friday afternoon before returning later that evening. Friday and Saturday could see highs in the upper 60s to lower 70s for most areas. The Inland Empire will see the warmest temperatures Friday, with 80 degrees forecast for Hemet and 79 degrees in Lake Elsinore and San Bernardino.
Highs will move into the mid-60s on Sunday and Monday, which are expected to be the coldest days. There is a 15 to 25 percent chance of showers going into Monday, with average wind gusts peaking around 20 to 25 mph in the Inland Empire and slightly less in Orange County, with 18 mph forecast for Anaheim and 21 mph in Irvine.
“Just some light stuff, up to a tenth of an inch or so,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Stefanie Sullivan.