The Los Angeles region is bracing for another set of wet weather that is expected to bring up to five inches of rain to some locations.
According to the National Weather Service, the next storm is expected Tuesday through Wednesday, with moderate to heavy rain, including periods of very heavy rain.
Tuesday could be the worst day with very heavy rain possible Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning. The storm is expected to bring up to three inches of rain to coastal areas and up to five inches for mountain areas. Southerly wind gusts are expected to reach 45 mph and snow could fall at 7,000 feet.
“Very moist subtropical flow with strong south winds will help to create an extended period of rainfall across the area,” said the forecast. “During this time, there will be a moderate risk of debris flows in first year burn areas, along with the potential for flooding of all low lying areas, especially urban areas. Significant travel and commute delays are likely, along with potential airport delays at LAX.”
Forecasters said there will be additional showers Thursday and a weak system with scattered showers on Friday.
The historical average temp for Los Angeles in the month of March is a high of 70 and a low of 51. Average rainfall is 2.43 inches and the highest recorded rainfall for a single day was March 2 of 1938 at 5.88 inches. The wettest March in history was in 1884 with 12.36 inches.
March has already proven to be a harsh month for much of the country.
A storm spread from the Sierra Nevada Mountains and into the Rocky Mountains over the weekend bringing rain and snow. Temperatures plummeted to below zero on places like Northern Illinois and a deadly tornado killed at least 23 people in Alabama.
Another winter storm watch goes into effect Tuesday morning in the mountains around Lake Tahoe, where 1 to 3 feet of new snow is possible in the upper elevations.
The National Weather Service said 3 to 10 inches of snow is expected as low as 6,000 feet.
The service says winds could gust as high as 80 mph over the Sierra ridge tops.
The storm watch runs through Wednesday night.
SANTA MONICA FORECAST
Tuesday: Rain likely, mainly after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 64. South southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: Rain. Low around 54. Light and variable wind becoming east southeast 10 to 15 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Wednesday: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 62. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming east northeast in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Wednesday Night: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday: Showers likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 61. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Friday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 59.
Friday Night: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Sunday: A slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 62.
