The second of four successive storms expected this week doused the Southland on Friday, and high surf generated by a huge Pacific swell tore at the coastline, creating dangerous rip currents.
Following the morning's light rain, a period of "moderate precipitation" will start around midday and continue into the overnight hours, according to a National Weather Service advisory. Then, a period of "heavier precipitation" will begin late on Saturday and "continue through Sunday night," it warned.
"The storm system on Sunday has the potential to be the strongest and wettest," according to the advisory.
The first of the successive four cold fronts to slide into the region from the Pacific made itself felt Wednesday. Since then, there has been a spike in the number of traffic crashes in the Greater L.A. area.
Through Sunday night, the storms are expected to produce between a quarter and three-quarters of an inch of rain in coastal and valley areas, and between three-quarters of an inch and 1.5 inches in the foothills and mountains, Weather Service forecasters said. The snow level, meanwhile, will remain high—above 8,000 feet.
A high surf advisory that went into effect at 6 Wednesday morning will remain in force until 10 p.m. Sunday in Los Angeles County and until 1 p.m. Monday in Orange County, where sets of up to 12 feet are possible, forecasters said.
The surf results from a huge swell being generated by two storms—one in the north central Pacific, the other in the eastern Pacific. The strongest surf will be Friday and Saturday, according to the Weather Service.
"Surf and swell conditions will be hazardous to anyone entering the
water from very early Thursday morning through this weekend, with dangerous rip current expected," an Weather Service advisory said. "Minor beach erosion and localized flooding of low-lying areas may also occur."
Temperatures highs, meanwhile, generally remain in the mid-60s throughout the rainy period, rise a few degrees Monday amid dry weather and partly cloudy skies, then revert to springtime levels Tuesday, reaching the mid- 70s under bright sunshine throughout the Greater L.A. area.
