Southern California rain expected to linger through Monday
Weather Forecast for Sunday, Jan. 4
The latest forecast and air quality conditions for the greater Los Angeles area, including beaches, valleys and desert regions.
LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Southern California's long run of rainy days is expected to continue Monday before dry skies return Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
Sunday saw more rain across most of the Southland, with high-elevation snow and a chance of thunderstorms in the evening.
Evacuation warnings remains across neighborhoods near recent burn scars, as mud and debris flow remained a danger due to the saturation from previous storms.
In addition, a Los Angeles County Department of Public Health advisory warned beach users "to avoid all water contact, especially near discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers due to potentially higher bacteria levels in these areas," until at least 4 p.m. Monday.
Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro also remained closed until further notice following a Christmas Day sewage flow.
Caltrans issued an indefinite closure for the 3.6-mile stretch of Topanga Canyon Boulevard known to experience mudslides between Pacific Coast Highway and Grand View Drive, in the unincorporated Topanga area. The reopening of the roadway was "dependent on improved weather and road conditions," the agency said.
The Palisades Fire recovery work zone on PCH from Sunset Boulevard to Carbon Beach Terrace will remain open, "with crews on standby to respond to any storm impacts," Caltrans said.
For up-to-date information on the storm, residents can visit lacounty.gov/emergency or sign up for emergency alerts at alert.lacounty.gov. To check on evacuation statuses, residents can download the Genasys Alert app or visit genasys.com.
Motorists were also advised to stay off the roads if possible and to exercise extreme caution if they do drive.
State and local officials put precautions in place earlier for weather- related emergency response needs. Gov. Gavin Newsom directed the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services to pre-position fire and rescue personnel and resources in areas most at risk for flooding, mud, and debris flows -- including parts of Southern California, with a particular eye toward burn scar areas. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass' office said the city's Emergency Operations Center was activated Wednesday to coordinate preparedness measures and ensure all personnel are ready to respond as needed. Bass added that the LAFD augmented staffing of specialized resources that can assist with swift water rescues, mud and debris flows, and other rain-related issues with a specific focus in burn scar areas.
Additionally, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power was poised to respond to any potential power outages and will work around the clock to meet customer demand, according to the mayor's office. L.A. Sanitation was also on standby to assist with any flooding calls and with monitoring the city's wastewater conveyance system to manage the additional incoming water flow. The L.A. County Board of Supervisors held a special meeting Wednesday, when the board ratified a local emergency proclamation issued earlier by Solis.
Temperatures were expected to stay on the cool side this week, with highs in the 60s and lows mostly in the 40s and lower 50s.