Southern California could see last rainfall for months this weekend
Light rain and some high-elevation snow is forecast for Southern California this weekend, with some meteorologists predicting it might be the last substantial precipitation until fall.
Why It Matters
Southern California has seen an extremely dry start to the water year. San Diego, for example, had its driest start to the year on record. Other cities, like Los Angeles, are still below their average precipitation amounts for this time of year.
With the dry season approaching, Southern California's abnormally dry conditions could exacerbate amid climbing temperatures and little relief from rain.
What To Know
California's wet season typically runs from October to April. During this time, heavy snow in high-elevation areas provides runoff to supplement reservoirs during the warmer months, and rain is common in lower-elevation areas.
Northern California saw above-average snowpack this year, but Central and Southern California performed below average. Some late-season snow and rain might saturate parts of Southern California this weekend, but AccuWeather meteorologists said it could be the last "meaningful" rainfall before summer.
"A weekend storm may bring light rain and mountain snow to Southern California, with totals of just a few tenths of an inch in some areas and none in others," a forecast from AccuWeather said on Friday. "Higher elevations like Donner Pass and Southern California ridges may receive slushy snow, contributing briefly to snowpack."
In April, Los Angeles saw only .22 inches of rain, roughly half an inch below normal. Since the water year began in October, Los Angeles has seen 8.1 inches of rain. The average rainfall at this point in the water year is a little less than 14 inches.
NWS meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld, who works at the Los Angeles office, told Newsweek that once May arrives, average rainfall across Los Angeles falls to .32 inches. Rainfall amounts during the summer months are nearly nonexistent.
"With May typically drier and high pressure expected to build in the coming weeks, this may be one of the last opportunities for meaningful rainfall before summer," AccuWeather said. "Rain and mountain snow are ahead for the West this weekend, but for some in Southern California, this new storm could mark the end of the rainy season."
As of the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor map, more than half of California is considered abnormally dry. Nearly 40 percent of the state is experiencing some form of drought, with all of it concentrated in Southern California.
In addition to scattered showers, gusty winds and some hail are possible.
What People Are Saying
NWS meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld told Newsweek: "What was so notable about this year was we were dry all the way up until late January, which is pretty atypical. We barely saw any rain until early February, when normally our average for that time is 8 inches or so. That's what really set this year in an anomalous start."
AccuWeather in a forecast about incoming California storms: "The system will be fueled by limited Pacific moisture and cold air aloft, leading to isolated thundershowers, gusty winds and the potential for hail during the midday and afternoon hours. Impacts will vary significantly by location."
What Happens Next
The coming weeks could bring a round of dry weather to Southern California, according to the NWS Climate Prediction Center. The entire state is expecting above-average temperatures, with most of it also expecting below-average precipitation, according to the NWS' six- to 10-day outlooks.