The City of Angels is getting soaked, as heavy rainfalls and the risk of thunderstorms threaten the region's safety. The National Weather Service in Los Angeles/Oxnard has issued a flood watch effective until noon today for various parts of Los Angeles County, warning residents of potential flooding and advising caution. A detailed forecast predicts showers and possibly a thunderstorm throughout the area, mainly before 4:00 pm followed by a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4:00 pm today, with an east wind of 5 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon, according to National Weather Service.
Tonight, Angelenos can expect a 20 percent chance of showers before 10:00 pm and a partly cloudy sky. The weekend, however, mostly sunny conditions and highs creeping back up to the mid-60 degrees. Yet, this brief respite does not erase the present dangers: "There is a high risk of extensive roadway flooding, especially in low-lying areas. There will likely be rock, and mudslide activity on and below canyon and mountain roadways," the National Weather Service's flood watch states. Residents in these at-risk locations are encouraged to be vigilant and ready to act should conditions worsen.
The gloom is slated to lift, making way for sunny skies on Christmas Day and temperatures warm enough to unwrap gifts outdoors, with a high near 68 degrees. Patchy fog is expected in the early hours.
Residents should not be entirely disarmed by the weather's brief courtesy – as the region moves past the holiday, intermittent clouds and the chance of showers return. "Significant travel delays and road closures are likely. There is a risk of flash flooding, and debris flows in and around recent burn scars," the Flood Watch further cautions.
