Angelenos are in for a surprise as early April brings a taste of the typically overcast May Gray and June Gloom weather. For the next week or so, residents can expect a series of cool days with temperatures dipping below normal and a chance of rain.
Mike Wofford, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard, shared that this cool and rainy pattern will likely last for eight to nine days. He noted that temperatures will hover in the 60s, which is a few degrees cooler than the average of 71 degrees for this time of year in downtown Los Angeles. For example, Friday’s high was predicted to be around 66 degrees, but it may drop even more over the weekend.
Wofford explained that the region is experiencing temperatures that are 3 to 8 degrees below average. He emphasized that this trend is expected to continue, with the possibility of getting even cooler. The weather changes are being driven by a series of storms moving down from the Pacific Northwest, with the first one expected to bring light rain starting Sunday.
While the initial storm may only deliver light rain—potentially up to a tenth of an inch in some areas—there is some uncertainty about what the following week will bring. Although more storms are on the horizon, Wofford indicated that it is unlikely that total rainfall for the week will exceed half an inch. However, he did not rule out the chance of heavier rainfall entirely.
The arrival of this wet weather might seem gloomy, but it could also provide some much-needed relief to Southern California, which is currently grappling with severe drought conditions. The U.S. Drought Monitor has confirmed that the region remains in dire need of moisture, making even light rainfall a welcome sight.
As April begins, Angelenos should prepare for a shift in the weather. Cooler temperatures and potential rain could be a stark contrast to the warm, dry conditions that have dominated the region.