A wet start to 2026 is expected in Southern California, with periods of light to moderate rain likely Wednesday through Saturday from Los Angeles County to San Luis Obispo County, according to the National Weather Service.
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The "most likely outcome for storm totals would be" 1 to 3 inches of rain for coasts and valleys and 3 to 5 inches for south-to-southwest-facing foothills and mountains, with potential for additional rockslide and mudslide activity, especially on mountains and canyon roadways, according to the weather service.
Moderate to strong Santa Ana winds will impact typical wind corridors of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Tuesday, peaking in strength Sunday night through Monday, according to the weather service.
There will be a high risk for downed trees due to the very wet soils, as well as hazardous boating conditions for nearshore waters.
"Damaging gusts" from 55 to 85 mph are forecast by the weather service for the Los Angeles County mountains and Santa Susana Mountains, with guests of 35-55 mph in the remaining wind corridors of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Gusts of 25 to 35 knots are forecast for nearshore waters from Ventura to Santa Monica.
A "slight weakening" of the winds is forecast for Tuesday.
There is a 77% chance of rain in Pasadena for New Year's Eve and 98% on New Year's Day, according to The Weather Channel.
Monday's forecast highs in Los Angeles County include 71 in Burbank, 70 in downtown Los Angeles, 69 at Los Angeles International Airport, Long Beach, Woodland Hills, San Gabriel and Avalon, 68 in Pasadena, 63 in Saugus, 58 in Lancaster and 56 in Palmdale.
Orange County forecast highs include 71 in Anaheim, Fullerton and Irvine, 70 in Mission Viejo and Yorba Linda, 69 in Newport Beach and San Clemente, and 67 in Laguna Beach,
"Santa Ana winds are also known for creating very warm temperatures due to the downsloping effects off the mountains but in this case there is quite a bit of cold air advection that will likely minimize the warming, especially inland," according to the weather service.
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