Los Angeles is definitely under the weather amid the strongest storm of the week

Los Angeles Times

13-03-2025

Good morning. Here's what you need to know to start your day.
The worst of this week's atmospheric river storm hit Southern California on Wednesday night and should move out later today.
So much rain after devastating fires is always a recipe for potential disaster, so officials have urged residents in some burn zones in Pacific Palisades and Altadena to be prepared to evacuate amid concerns of flooding and mudslides.
Here's what you need to know this morning.
Preparations
Los Angeles County officials said they are well prepared for the rains and are hoping to avoid major problems. Crews have been clearing debris basins so they can capture flows, officials told reporter Karen Garcia.
Rainfall forecasts look manageable, but intense downpours and mother nature's unexpected twists leave burn zone residents on edge.
The worst of the rain should move out later this morning, but officials are warning of a miserable commute, my colleague Hannah Fry reports.
The storm is expected to dump 1 to 2 inches of rain along the coast and up to 4 inches in the valleys at rates that could cause problems.
Flooding and mudslides 101
The National Weather Service said the greatest chance of flooding is through Thursday afternoon.
There's a 30% to 50% chance of significant flooding and debris flows for areas in the flood watch, particularly the burn scars, said Rose Schoenfeld, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
'The most likely outcome is that we're going to see shallow to minor debris flows, minor flooding and some amount of ponding and flooding on roadways,' Schoenfeld said.
The pounding rain raises the possibility of mudflows, which can occur long after a storm passes, according to this ultimate guide to mudflows from Times reporter Rong-Gong Lin II.
It's wet, but also dry
Despite recent stories about the rain, the Los Angeles area has experienced a dry winter.
As of Monday, downtown L.A. received 5.5 inches of rain since the onset of the typical water year, which began Oct. 1.
That is below the average for the winter season that typically sees approximately 11.08 inches. The annual average is 14.25 inches. Indeed, these intense drought-like conditions helped fuel the January firestorms.
Where water levels stand
Northern California had a fairly wet winter, and that is helping with our water supply. California's snowpack, which supplies a key part of the state's water supply, is now 85% of average for this time of year, my colleague Ian James reports.
But scientists told Ian they are seeing a long-term trend as a result of climate change: There's less snow at lower elevations in the mountains.
'That's really a signature of warmer temperatures,' Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA, told Ian. 'There has been precipitation in the mountains in many cases, but that has been more in the form of rain than snow for much of the season.'
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What else is going on
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Going out
Staying in
It's another rainy day in Southern California. Do you have a favorite book to read when the weather sucks?
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On March 13, 2013, Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina became the first pope from the Americas and the first from outside Europe in more than a millennium. Former Times reporter Henry Chu wrote about how the new Pope Francis was immediately confronted with daunting challenges.
Have a great day, from the Essential California team
Ryan Fonseca, reporterDefne Karabatur, fellowAndrew Campa, Sunday reporterKevinisha Walker, multiplatform editorHunter Clauss, multiplatform editorChristian Orozco, assistant editorStephanie Chavez, deputy metro editorKarim Doumar, head of newsletters
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