After a period of severe rainfall that wreaked havoc across the Los Angeles region, residents can expect a welcome break in the weather. The National Weather Service announced on Saturday that the area will experience “very low impact weather” for several days, providing much-needed relief following the recent storms that caused extensive damage and dangerous conditions.
This shift in weather comes after the largest storm of the winter struck Southern California on Thursday, leading to significant flooding and mudslides, particularly in areas affected by previous wildfires. The storm resulted in the closure of the Pacific Coast Highway when a debris flow swept a fire department vehicle into the ocean. Fortunately, the driver managed to escape with only minor injuries.
Meteorologist Kristan Lund indicated that a warming and drying trend is expected to develop over the weekend, with temperatures likely rising into the 60s and possibly reaching the low 70s in some areas. “We’re really expecting it to dry out today and tomorrow,” Lund stated, emphasizing that forecasts suggest a prolonged dry spell, with little chance of rain until the end of the month.
The recent wet weather has been particularly impactful, as it followed an extended drought that set the stage for the destructive wildfires experienced in January. The combination of heavy precipitation and dry conditions creates a cycle that can fuel vegetation growth, which later becomes dry fuel for fires, raising concerns about future fire risks.
Despite the potential for winds to pick up later next week, Lund reassured that fire weather conditions are not anticipated due to the moisture from the recent rains. “We’re not really too concerned about fire weather impacts, because of the recent rains,” she noted.
As Los Angeles begins to recover from the effects of the storms, residents are encouraged to take advantage of the improved weather conditions while remaining vigilant about the ongoing risks associated with the aftermath of the heavy rains and wildfires.