Downtown Los Angeles woke up mild and muggy Saturday, sitting near 57°F with heavy humidity and a light north-northwest breeze running about 10-15 mph. Skies are expected to stay mostly sunny into the afternoon, with a comfortable high near 69°F, a brief springlike break before conditions shift sharply overnight. Late Saturday night a stronger system is set to move through, bringing rain and a chance of thunderstorms that could spill into early Sunday commutes. Heavier pockets of rain and gusty winds are likely, so it is worth planning ahead.
Tonight Into Sunday
Rain is expected to start after 11 p.m. Saturday, April 11, then spread across Los Angeles County after midnight and continue into Sunday morning. A few hours of steadier rain are likely, along with a risk of thunderstorms. Around a quarter to a half inch of rain is expected across the city, with locally higher totals in the mountains and along the Central Coast, and brief downpours could deliver quicker bursts of accumulation. According to the National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard, gusty southerly winds will develop ahead of the front, with mountain gusts potentially reaching 35-45 mph.
Mountain Snow And Advisories
A Winter Weather Advisory kicks in Saturday night for the higher mountains and is set to stay in effect into Monday morning. Snow levels should hover near 7,000 feet through Sunday morning before dropping toward about 5,000 feet Sunday afternoon into Monday. Snow totals could reach up to 6 inches above roughly 7,000 feet, with about 1-3 inches possible around 5,000 feet. Drivers should be ready for slower travel and possible chain requirements on the higher passes.
Marine And Travel Impacts
Conditions on the water will turn rough. Small Craft Advisories begin at noon Saturday and continue into early Sunday, with seas building toward 10 feet over the outer waters and 5-7 feet inside the channel. Heavy downpours, cloud-to-ocean lightning, and gusty winds will make the ocean hazardous for small vessels and could generate strong rip currents along the coast. On land, look for wet roads and reduced visibility during the heaviest bursts of rain. Leave extra time for Sunday morning travel and avoid flooded low spots, per the National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard.
Quick Tips
Bring a waterproof layer if you will be out late Saturday and secure any loose patio furniture before the wind and rain arrive. Slow down during heavy showers and steer clear of standing water. Check official road and transit advisories before heading into the mountains or out on the water, and consider postponing nonessential trips Sunday morning.
