A wet and potentially damaging storm is expected to arrive in the Southland today bringing what forecasters are calling an atmospheric river of moisture that will persist into Friday.
Expected downpours could unleash debris flows in Southern California’s wildfire burn areas. Evacuation orders were already in effect for areas of fire-scarred Santa Cruz County and evacuation warnings were issued in San Mateo County.
The National Weather Service has already issued a winter storm watch that will be in effect for the LA County mountains from Thursday afternoon through Friday afternoon, warning that one to three feet of snow could accumulate at elevations above 6,000 feet.
Winds, meanwhile, will blow at 20 to 30 miles an hour with gusts ranging up to 50 mph.
A wind advisory took effect in the county's mountains at 3 a.m. and will continue until 3 p.m. Thursday.
Forecasters say the strongest winds are likely in the San Gabriel Peaks and the Grapevine area, making driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles.
LA County could see 1.5 to 3.5 inches of rain, with 2 to 5 inches possible in the foothills and mountains, although the largest rainfall totals are likely to occur in Ventura County.