Downtown Los Angeles is getting a brief calm before the storm on Sunday, February 15, 2026, with mostly cloudy skies, mild conditions and highs near 64°F. That changes quickly on Monday, February 16, 2026, when a powerful Pacific system moves in with steady heavy rain, gusty south-southeast winds and a chance of thunderstorms across the basin.
When The Rain Hits
Light showers may start to creep in late Sunday night, then spread across the region by daybreak Monday, February 16, 2026, with the heaviest rain expected during the day. Coastal and valley areas are looking at roughly 1 to 2 inches of rain, while coastal slopes and foothills could pick up 2 to 4 inches. Any intense convective cells could trigger rapid runoff and flash flooding, according to the National Weather Service.
Wind, Surf And Mountain Snow
South-southeast winds will crank up on Monday with sustained speeds around 15 to 20 mph and gusts near 30 mph in exposed valley and coastal spots, with even stronger gusts possible in some canyons and mountain foothills. Offshore, conditions may reach gale levels, and a large west swell is expected from Tuesday into Wednesday. In the mountains, snow levels will drop to around 5,000 to 6,000 feet, with several inches to a couple of feet of snow possible above about 6,000 feet.
Where To Watch Out
The biggest local trouble spots are likely to be urban low-lying areas that flood quickly, low-water crossings that can become submerged and recent burn scars where loose soil and sparse vegetation raise the risk of debris flows. Mountain passes and canyon roads will be particularly hazardous as snow, wind and poor visibility combine, so drivers should be prepared for delays above roughly 5,000 feet.
How To Prepare And Legal Notes
Secure outdoor furniture and any loose items, avoid driving through standing water and charge phones and backup batteries ahead of the storm. If you live below recent burn scars or in flood-prone neighborhoods, have an evacuation plan ready and follow city instructions. Call 9-1-1 for life-threatening emergencies and 3-1-1 to report non-life-threatening storm impacts, and check the City of Los Angeles storm page for sandbag locations and preparedness tips.
Forecast details may shift as the front moves in Monday morning, so build in extra travel time and keep an eye on official channels for watches, warnings and road closure information. This post will be updated if additional watches or warnings are issued.
